In this Best Ever Oven Roasted Green Beans recipe fresh green beans are oven-roasted with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and capers and ready in 30 minutes! Fancy enough for a holiday meal, easy enough for a weeknight side dish!
These roasted green beans are a symphony of flavors: the natural sweetness of oven-roasted green beans is enhanced by olive oil and mellow roasted garlic, while zesty lemon and briny capers provide a bright contrast.
These baked green beans are a staple on my Thanksgiving table, along side my Balsamic Brussel Sprouts, but I also make them on a near-weekly basis throughout the rest of the year.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Green Beans: Fresh oven-roasted green beans have a deeper, more concentrated flavor than boiled or steamed beans. I love that roasting them intensifies their natural sweetness just like in my Bacon and Brown Sugar Arkansas Green Beans.
- Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice: These lend a fresh, tangy brightness to the dish.
- Capers: These add a unique briny and slightly tangy flavor, making the dish more vibrant and interesting, similar to their use in my Spicy Basque Chicken with Saffron Rice.
Variations
Nuts: Toss in some slivered almonds, pine nuts, or chopped walnuts for added crunch and a boost in flavor and nutrition.
Cheese: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled feta, or goat cheese right after the beans come out of the oven for a creamy, tangy addition.
Spices: Add a little heat with crushed red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
How to Make Oven Roasted Green Beans
Step #1: First, I trim the green beans. I only cut off the end that was attached to the bean stalk.
Step #2: Then, I throw them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil.
Step #3: Next, the beans are topped with fresh lemon zest and lemon juice.
Step #4: Minced garlic and pickled capers are also invited to this party and added on top.
Step #5: Salt and pepper are added on top.
Step #6: I use my hands to massage and toss all of that together on the pan. You can also do this in a large bowl if that is what you prefer.
Step #7: Then put it into a 400 degree oven for about 15-25 minutes until they are tender and slightly browned.
Expert Tips
You can cook more than one pound of beans at a time in the oven, but use multiple roasting pans. The roasting time will be about the same as for one pound; however, you’ll need to rotate the pans between the high and low racks halfway through for even browning.
Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. Spread the green beans out in a single layer to ensure they roast evenly and get that desired caramelization.
Don’t overcook! Keep an eye on the beans near the end of cooking and remove any that look cooked to your liking.
Serve quickly. Roasting brings out a lot of natural sugars in green beans. That’s why they taste so good! But like other vegetables, those sugars quickly turn to starch as the green beans cool. So don’t let them sit around once they come out of the oven or you’ll lose some of their flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen green beans. However, they may release more moisture, so ensure they’re thoroughly thawed and dried. Adjust the roasting time if necessary.
For the best results, use fresh green beans that are firm to the touch, free from blemishes, and have a vibrant green color. If you love fresh green beans like I do, you might also want to try my Thai Pork with Spicy Green Beans.
Yes, you can use other oils like avocado oil, melted butter, or even coconut oil, but each will bring a different flavor.
Absolutely! Trim and clean the beans a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator to save time.
The beans should be tender with a slight crispness and have a nice browning. The actual roasting time may vary based on the oven and the size of the beans.
Storage and Reheating
If you have any leftovers you can store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 2-3 days. With this recipe using fresh green beans I do not recommend freezing this dish.
To reheat you can do so in the microwave on 30 second intervals until everything has warmed through.
More Delicious Side Dishes You Will Love
- Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
- Braised Flat Beans in Tomato Sauce
- Lyonnaise Potatoes
- Easy Roasted Bombay Potatoes
Best Ever Oven Roasted Green Beans Recipe
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans - trimmed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 4 cloves garlic - peeled and minced
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Scatter the green beans on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Top with oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper. Use your hands, or kitchen tongs, to massage the ingredients together and coat the beans with oil.
- Roast the green beans in oven for 15-25 minutes, shaking the pan once halfway through, until the beans are tender and lightly browned.
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Nutrition
Came across this recipe when looking for suggestions as to what to serve with Coq a Vin. I didn’t have any capers and I was lazy and used granulated garlic, but what a delicious variation on roasted string beans! Easy and will definitely make again (will try the proper way next time).
Delish!! I parboil the string beans and do it all stovetop. Ready in nothing flat.
FABULOUS RECIPE! Love the capers, never used them with green beans before!
Delicious and super easy! I cooked mine at 400 for 20 minutes and then turned off the oven and left them in there while I finished my meal (maybe an additional 15 minutes). Perfect! Love the garlic and lemon. I did not add capers.
I love it.