Brown Butter French Green Beans with Pecans

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Brown Butter French Green Beans with Pecans

This easy side dish of brown butter French green beans with toasted pecans is sure to be a family favorite for Thanksgiving or any dinner. This 20-minute side dish pairs perfectly with almost any main course!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: servings

Author: Jenny DeRemer

Cost: $0.48 per serving

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Green Beans

¾ cup pecans
2 pounds French green beans trimmed
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
½ cup unsalted butter cut into cubes

Optional Toppings

squeeze lemon juice fresh
shaved Parmesan cheese fresh

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Scatter the pecans on a large baking sheet and toast for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the baking sheet as necessary. Remove from the oven and allow the pecans to cool. Chop.
Prepare a large bowl with ice water. Set beside the stove.
Add the Kosher salt to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Add the green beans; cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Using kitchen tongs, remove the beans from the boiling water and plunge them into the ice bath to end the cooking process. Remove to paper towels and allow to drain.
Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the butter first foams, then turns a light brown and begins to smell nutty; be careful not to burn it. Add the beans and toss to coat.
Cook until the beans are warmed through, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped toasted pecans and season with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or some grated Parmesan if using.

Notes

Watch the pecans closely as they toast to prevent them from burning.
Shock the green beans in an ice water bath to immediately stop them from cooking, which ensures a tender-crisp texture and bright color.
Brown the butter over medium heat, watch it closely, and stir frequently to keep it from burning.

Nutrition