Sometimes the easiest recipes produce the most delicious results. These Green Beans with Balsamic Butter fall into that category. They come together SO quickly, making them perfect for a weeknight meal, but the rich, tangy balsamic butter bumps them up a notch, making them equally at home on a holiday table or served alongside an elegant meal for guests.
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
- Fresh green beans – Frozen green beans would work as well.
- Salted butter
- Balsamic vinegar – This recipe is written for balsamic vinegar, not balsamic glaze, which has been reduced for a thicker texture and more concentrated flavor, often with sugar added.
- Green onions
- Fresh garlic
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Green Beans with Balsamic Butter
- Chop some green onions, mince some garlic, then combine them with some balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Cook on medium, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes or until most of the vinegar is reduced into a thick syrup and has been absorbed by the green onions. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil, combine the vinegar/onion mixture and the butter. Set aside.
- When the water begins to boil, add the green beans. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the beans float to the top and are bright green. Drain. Toss in the balsamic butter, salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.
Storing and Other Tips
- Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-4 days for best results.
- If you have leftover butter, store it in an airtight container in the fridge and melt to use on your favorite veggies within 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This butter would be great with asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or snap peas.
Yep. Blanch your green beans and prepare your balsamic butter. Store separately, tightly covered, in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, combine the beans with the butter and warm gently over low heat until heated through.
Sure. Just give them a quick blanch like the fresh ones. When they are hot and bright green (this should only take a few minutes), drain and continue on with the recipe as written.
Green Beans with Balsamic Butter
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh green beans trimmed
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 green onions chopped (the entire thing)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the onions, garlic, and vinegar in a small saucepan. Cook on medium, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes or until most of the vinegar is reduced into a thick syrup and has been absorbed by the green onions. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil, combine the vinegar/oninon mixture and the butter. Set aside.
- When the water begins to boil, add the green beans. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the beans float to the top and are bright green. Drain. Toss in the balsamic butter, add salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately. Serves 8.
Notes
- Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-4 days for best results.
- If you have leftover butter, store it in an airtight container in the fridge and melt to use on your favorite veggies within 3-4 days.
- If desired, you could blanch frozen green beans for this recipe.
Questions & Reviews
I’m a fan of compound butters (well, and butter in general) and balsamic vinegar. What a great way to combine the two!
I could totally handle these green beans. And btw, I will challenge you to a black thumb face-off. DO you know how many cactuses..cacti..whatever..I have killed??
Yum. I love green beans too. Maybe not as much as you… This recipe is a definite keeper.
This just looks about 20 times more decadent than it really is…if you are on a diet that permits butter, which I am…yay!
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Erin – ekcantcook.blogspot.com
Oh, this is a great way to spruce up all of the beans around!
Wow, does this look good! And I’m always trying to think up new ways to cook the fresh vegetables available at our farmers’ market on the town square. Thank you so much!
Thank you for this!! I will try it, I have bags n bags n bags of green beans too!!
Oh Yummers! Pinning this one immediately!
I am always looking for news ways to cook green beans as I get them regularly in a farm delivery basket. This looks amazing!! Thank you for this great idea.
Have a healthy day.
Sounds yummy! And a great way, this winter, to freshen up the piles upon piles of green beans I’ve put in the freezer.