Ina Garten’s Garden-Fresh String Beans & Shallots: Simple Recipe

Crisp green string beans dance with golden shallots in this elegant side dish that brings serious restaurant-quality flavor to your table.

Ina Garten’s string beans with shallots recipe delivers a simple yet sophisticated vegetable experience that makes ordinary green beans extraordinary.

Sautéed to perfection, these beans retain a delightful crunch while absorbing the rich, buttery essence of caramelized shallots.

Each bite promises a burst of freshness and depth that will elevate your dinner plate.

The recipe combines classic French technique with approachable home cooking that feels both gourmet and comforting.

with just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can turn humble string beans into a standout side dish that steals the spotlight.

Savor the magic of these perfectly seasoned green beans and watch them disappear from your serving platter in record time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients in Ina Garten String Beans with Shallots

• String Beans: Crisp green vegetable that provides a delightful crunch and fresh garden flavor, best when selecting young, slender beans without blemishes.
• Shallots: Delicate allium with a milder, sweeter taste compared to onions, perfect for adding subtle depth and aromatic complexity to the dish.

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a smooth, glossy coating for the beans, selecting high-quality unsalted butter enhances overall taste.
• Olive Oil: Brings a fruity undertone and helps prevent butter from burning, provides smooth cooking surface and additional nutritional benefits.

• Salt: Enhances natural flavors of vegetables and balances the dish, choose fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and warmth, freshly ground provides more vibrant and robust flavor profile.

Tools for Preparing Ina Garten String Beans with Shallots

• Large pot: Essential for boiling water and blanching beans.
• Ice water bowl: Stops cooking process and keeps beans crisp.
• Large skillet: Perfect for sautéing shallots and finishing beans.
• Colander: Helps drain beans quickly after boiling.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring shallots and tossing beans.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures precise salt and pepper amounts.

How to Make Ina Garten String Beans with Shallots

• Water Preparation

Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Quickly submerge string beans and let them dance in the hot water for a brief moment. Swiftly drain and plunge into an ice bath to lock in their vibrant green color and crisp texture.

• Shallot Sizzle

In a large skillet, melt butter and oil together over medium heat. Introduce chopped shallots to the pan, allowing them to transform into a golden-brown delicacy. Stir occasionally as they develop a rich, caramelized flavor.

• Bean and Shallot Symphony

Rescue the blanched beans from their ice bath and add them to the shallot-filled pan. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and a dash of freshly ground pepper. Gently toss to ensure each bean is coated with the fragrant shallot mixture.

• Final Warmth

Heat the beans and shallots together, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Serve immediately while the dish is piping hot, ready to tantalize taste buds and complement any main course.

Helpful Notes for Ina Garten String Beans with Shallots

• Adjust cooking time in boiling water to achieve your preferred crispness – shorter for crunchier beans, slightly longer for softer texture.
• Experiment with different herbs like fresh thyme or rosemary to complement the shallots and add depth to the dish.
• Replace butter and oil with olive oil for a lighter version, or use bacon fat for a rich, smoky undertone.
• Prepare beans ahead of time and reheat quickly just before serving to maintain their vibrant green color and fresh taste.
• Sprinkle toasted almonds or pine nuts over the finished dish for extra texture and nutty flavor.

How to Serve Ina Garten String Beans with Shallots

• Serve as a Fresh Side Dish: Pair these vibrant string beans with roasted chicken or grilled salmon for a light, elegant meal that brings color and flavor to your plate.
• Create a Harvest Lunch: Combine the beans with quinoa or brown rice to make a wholesome vegetarian lunch that's both nutritious and satisfying.
• Garnish with Extra Flair: Sprinkle some toasted sliced almonds or fresh chopped parsley on top to add a delightful crunch and bright, herbal notes to the dish.
• Make Ahead for Gatherings: Prepare these beans in advance and gently reheat before serving, making them perfect for dinner parties or family gatherings where you want a stress-free vegetable side.

Storage Details for Ina Garten String Beans with Shallots

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Blanch green beans up to 2 days before your meal and store in airtight containers inside the refrigerator for quick side dish assembly.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store cooked string beans in sealed containers for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm leftovers gently in a skillet with a splash of butter to maintain the beans' crisp texture and prevent mushiness.
• Freeze for Later: Transfer cooled beans to freezer-safe bags, removing excess air, and store up to 3 months for future quick side dish options.

Elegant Ina Garten String Beans With Shallots Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s string beans with shallots elevate humble green beans with elegant French technique. Simple ingredients and classic preparation create a sophisticated side dish that delights dinner guests and complements many main courses.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) French string beans (haricots verts), ends removed
• 3 large shallots, large-diced
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Blanching: Fill a large pot with salted water, bringing to a vigorous boil. Submerge string beans for 90 seconds, maintaining their emerald vitality, then swiftly transfer to an ice water bath to arrest cooking and lock in color.
2. Prepping Beans: Drain beans thoroughly, using kitchen towels to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring optimal flavor absorption and preventing sauce dilution.
3. Shallot Foundation: In a spacious skillet, meld unsalted butter and olive oil over medium heat. Introduce finely minced shallots, allowing them to transform into golden-amber caramelized jewels through gentle, patient stirring.
4. Combining Components: Marry the blanched beans with caramelized shallots, tossing delicately to create a harmonious blend. Elevate the dish with a judicious sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring each bean receives uniform seasoning.
5. Final Flourish: Warm the beans for an additional 2-3 minutes, preserving their crisp essence while melding flavors. Plate immediately, presenting a vibrant, aromatic side dish that celebrates the natural brilliance of fresh string beans.

Notes

• Blanch with Precision: Cook beans exactly 90 seconds to maintain crisp texture and vibrant green color, avoiding overcooking.
• Ice Bath Technique: Immediately shock beans in ice water to stop cooking process, preserving nutritional value and preventing soggy vegetables.
• Shallot Caramelization Secret: Allow shallots to develop golden-brown color slowly over medium heat, which releases deep, sweet flavor profile.
• Moisture Management: Thoroughly dry beans after ice bath to ensure perfect sauté and prevent watery, diluted taste in final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Side Dish
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg