Green Beans with Cranberries
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These green beans are so flavorful, quick and simple to prepare. The dried cranberries really dress up the beans, giving them that special occasion quality. This dish is lighter than our previous green bean recipes (green beans with shaved almonds and green beans with mushrooms) because it uses olive oil in leu of butter, but you won’t miss it!
My son loves green beans (go figure), so we try to get creative. My Mama-in-law shared this recipe with us on our recent trip to California. My son ate them up so fast, I knew I had to get the recipe and share it with you all. Enjoy!!
Ingredients for Green Beans with Cranberries:
2 lbs green beans, trimmed **
1 Tbsp lemon juice or 1 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp salt
4 Tbsp olive oil
2 large or 4 small garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
1 Tbsp soy sauce
Garlic salt to taste
**You can also use the petit (skinny green beans), but they will cook slightly faster.
How to Make an Easy Green Beans Side Dish:
1. Fill a large soup pot 2/3 with water and bring to a rapid boil. Add 1 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp lemon juice (or vinegar), and 2 lbs of trimmed green beans. Partially cover and boil 6-7 min or until crisp-tender, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, over medium heat, add 4 Tbsp olive oil, minced garlic and 1/3 cup dried cranberries. Saute 2 min or until garlic is golden and fragrant.
3. Stir in the green beans and drizzle with 1 Tbsp soy sauce and add garlic salt to taste.
Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with any craisins left in the pan and serve hot. These do re-heat nicely 🙂
Green Beans with Cranberries
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fill a large soup pot 2/3 with water and bring to a rapid boil. Add 1 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp lemon juice (or vinegar), and 2 lbs trimmed green beans. Partially cover and boil 6-7 min or until crisp-tender, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, over medium heat, add 4 Tbsp olive oil, minced garlic and 1/3 cup dried cranberries. Saute 2 min or until garlic is golden and fragrant.
- Stir in the green beans and drizzle with 1 Tbsp soy sauce and add garlic salt to taste.
♥ FAVORITE THINGS ♥
Shown in this post: (nope, no one paid us to write this; just stuff we love):
* A covered casserole is so versatile and doubles as a serving dish! Le Creuset 9×12 dish
* Le Creuset 5 1/2 Qt French Oven – an essential pot for for most anything and lasts a lifetime
* This Wusthof Santoku knife is perfect for thin slicing and I love that food doesn’t stick to it
* These Progressive snap-fit spoons save space in your drawer and are colorful i.e. easy to find!
At least we get a few days of recovery between Christmas and New Years! Do you have any fun plans for New Year’s?
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Hi I was wondering is the soy sauce needed for this recipe!
Thanks
Doreen
Hi Doreen, it really adds so much flavor I don’t recommend skipping the soy sauce.
We eat a lot of green beans, so I am always looking for new ideas. This recipe is a winner. Made it first time round with the green beans, and then last night, with asparagus instead. Both equally good. I bet it would be good with broccoli as well. Definitely a keeper!
I’m so glad it was a hit, Debbie!
These look delish! Bringing to a family gathering but need to make ahead of time + quadruple the recipe. How would you reheat them?
Hi Jen, I would probably reheat in the oven – it’s usually recommended to reheat by the same method it is cooked.
Hello,
do you think I can make in the morning and it will “hold” until we are ready to eat after a church function?
Thanks!
Hi Carol, the color might get a little dull, but they should be ok to rewarm after church. Just make sure not to overcook the green beans or they will turn dull faster.
Hi Natascha…this looks really good. I dont have cranberries right now so what else can I use? Would love to do it now as I have some garden beans
Hello Heather, I haven’t really tried any other substitute for raisins. You may omit it from the recipe or if you try something else, please share with us too how it goes.
Today I made this for lunch and it was yummy … every recipe of yours that I have tried came out absolutely scrumptious … I have found everything to be easy to understand and delish as well merci … Thanks for sharing your recipes its been such a blessing… 😋😊🤤🤗 ah and almost forgot waiting for that Penne allá Vodka recipe as well lol 🖖
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Quick and easy recipe with great results!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was so good. I was hesitant on adding the soy sauce but that brought all the flavors together. I did add pine nuts also.
So great to hear, Jeanine! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe and thanks for sharing that you added pine nuts. It’s a good addition to this recipe.
Made these with our Thanksgiving turkey this year and they were fabulous! I added a small amount of crushed cashews. I had a 20 oz bag of green beans and should have used less oil. Tip for next time because there WILL be a next time!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Hi Natasha..I am new to your website and have found everything to be easy to understand and delicious as well..thank you..
That’s so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Do you have any suggestions on using frozen green beans? I have a lot in my freezer.
Hi Ellen, I have always used fresh for this recipe but I think it could work to substitute with an equal amount of frozen green beans.
Sprinkle with roasted pine nuts!! While it adds to the cost, it is worth it if you are entertaining and want to impress!
Jane, thank you for the tip 😀.
My daughter loved this side dish as she does not eat anything green. Great choice!
I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂
Made these for dinner today, they were fantastic! My husband was equally satisfied with these, thank you so much! 🙂
That’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing that with us 🙂
I just made this and it was amazing! Thank you. Plan on trying more recipes.
Thank you for the great review Stella, I hope you’ll find many new favorites :).
I love this recipe! It’s simple yet delicious! I tried it on asparagus too! I didn’t use lemon/vinegar and didn’t use salt because of my baby 🙂 She loves green beans too!! Thank you!!
I love the idea of trying it on asparagus! Thank you for sharing that 🙂
Of course! That was the only thing I had at the time and it turned out great! Thanks for sharing your recipes! It’s been such a blessing.
You’re so sweet. Thank you 🙂
Great recipe! Nice and light tasting. Thank you!!!
Thank you for the great review Irene and you are welcome :).
Hi Natasha,
Made these tonight–your son has good taste–they are delicious!! Will use this recipe for Christmas next year. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year to you and your family.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the green beans! Thank you Selina 🙂
С удовольствием присоединилась к Вашему блогу. Рецепты просто классные! 🙂 Спасибо!
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you’ve found my blog :).
I had 2 lb. organic green beens that I had to use and the minute I saw your recipe I knew I am making them today. Thanks Natasha they were delicious!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!! 🙂 Thanks for the awesome review!
I am really craving something green. Great dish Natasha!
Thank you! I totally know what you mean! We just finished a platter of fresh fruit this evening. We’re in our post holiday (I totally overate at Christmas dinner) recovery phase. 🙂
Great post, I was looking for green beans recipe about a month ago and hoped you’re gonna have a good side recipe of green beans. Thank you so much!
I hope you absolutely love the green beans! Thanks Nataliya 🙂
Natasha , I was just wondering , do you ever take a break?
You’re comment made me laugh as I read it to my husband. Well, I feel sheepish :). I have a tendency to be a work-a-holic and I’m working on that. I think having a baby will force me to slow down.
You are amazing! I just love your website! Cant you tell? A day after Christmas and I am checking if there is anything new 🙂
I’m so happy you are enjoying my blog :). You’re so sweet 🙂 Thank you girl! I’m now doubly happy that I posted this today.
Love your recipes!
Are the dried cranberries the ones that have sugar on them ?
Hi Donna, they come in multiple brands, also known as Craisins which do contain sugar.