Garden to Table: A Simple & Delicious French Haricot Vert Recipe

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I can’t wait to cook this simple French haricot vert recipe each year using fresh green beans from my garden! Whether you’re looking to impress guests at your next dinner party or simply want to add a touch of sophistication to your weeknight dinner, you will love this easy green bean recipe!

Garden to Table: A Simple & Delicious French Haricot Vert Recipe

French haricot vert, or slender green beans, are a staple of traditional French cooking and are known for their delicate texture and mild, sweet flavor. Here’s how to make a simple and elegant dish that showcases the natural flavors of this delicious green bean.

These sautéed french green beans have a delightful flavor. The butter, garlic, and almonds pair quite nicely with string beans. My kids and husband ate up the very few that survived from pan to table and begged for more! I hope you’ll try them too!

green beans on a towel

What are Haricot Vert?

French style haricot vert are an important ingredient in French cuisine and are used in a variety of dishes due to their delicate texture, mild flavor, and vibrant green color. 

They’re particularly popular in traditional French dishes such as Salad Niçoise, Ratatouille, and cassoulet. 

French haricot vert are often cooked simply, either steamed or blanched, and served as a great side dish to accompany meats or fish. They are also commonly used in soups, stews, and vegetable gratins. If you like classic French cuisine, you will love this quick and easy recipe for French Haricot Verts.

How to Pronounce Haricot Vert

“Haricot vert” literally means green beans in French. Vert is the French word for green and haricot is the French word for bean. If you’re wondering how to pronounce this name, here you go! In French, the H is typically silent, so the word for bean is pronounced “ah-ree-ko vair.”. The first syllable “ah” is pronounced like the “a” in “father,” the “ree” is pronounced like “ree” in “reef,” “ko” is pronounced like “ko” in “coat,” and “vair” is pronounced like “vair” in “very.” 

In English, the pronunciation is often anglicized to contain the H sound, like so: “hair-ih-koh vair” or “hair-ih-koh vert,” with the emphasis on the second syllable. I recommend trying to sound as French as possible when making this traditional green beans side dish. 

Where to Buy Fresh Haricot Verts

French haricot vert, can be found at most grocery stores and supermarkets in the United States. Look for them in the produce section, usually near the other types of fresh beans. You might also find a French variety of green beans in the freezer section too!

They may also be available at specialty stores that carry gourmet or international foods. 

If you can’t find French-style green beans in your local grocery store, you can also try looking for them at a farmers market or ordering them online from a specialty food retailer. Alternatively, you can use regular green beans as a substitute, although they have a slightly different flavor and texture compared to French haricot vert.

fresh green beans
Fresh green beans from the garden!

Want to grow French haricot vert in your garden? 

Green beans are one of our favorite best tasting and easy to grow vegetables in the garden! We grow them every year! Just buy seeds that are specifically labeled as filet type, “French green bean” or “Haricot Vert.” Find it on Amazon here. Look for seeds that are described as slender, tender, and high-yielding. There are several different types French beans, so choose a variety that is well-suited to your climate and growing conditions. Some popular cultivars of French haricot vert include 

Can you use regular green beans in this recipe?

While regular green beans can be substituted for simple French green beans in this recipe, they’re not exactly the same. French haricot vert are slender and tender, with a delicate texture and a mild, sweet flavor. 

Regular green beans, on the other hand, are usually thicker and tougher, with a more robust flavor. If you use regular green beans instead of French haricot vert in this recipe, the dish may have a slightly different taste and texture. 

But regular green beans can still be delicious and work well in this recipe if you blanch them first to make them more tender. So while it’s not exactly the same, it is possible to use regular green beans as a substitute if you can’t find French haricot vert at the grocery store or farmer’s market.

How to Store Leftover French Green Beans

I can’t imagine that you’ll have any leftover sautéed green beans, but if you do, here’s how to store them and also how to reheat this simple recipe.

  1. Allow the beans to cool to room temperature before storing them.
  2. Transfer the beans to an airtight container. You can use a plastic container or a resealable plastic bag.
  3. Place the container in the refrigerator. The beans will keep for up to 3-4 days.

When you’re ready to reheat the beans, there are a few options:

  1. Microwave: Place the beans in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
  2. Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the beans in a baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
  3. Stovetop: Heat a small amount of oil or butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the beans and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.
haricot vert with parmesan cheese

Easy variations on this French haricot vert side dish recipe:

If you’re looking for an easy way to spice up these sauteed green beans, here are a few options to get great flavor in the best green beans:

Haricot Vert with Cherry Tomatoes:

After cooking the haricot vert and tossing with the shallot and garlic mixture, add a handful of cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the tomatoes are heated through and slightly softened. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Haricot Vert with Bacon and Shallots:

Cook 4 strips of bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove from the skillet and crumble. In the same skillet, cook 1 finely chopped shallot in the bacon drippings until softened. Add the blanched haricot vert to the skillet and toss with the shallots. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the heat, top with the crumbled bacon, and serve.

Parmesan and Red Pepper Flake Haricot Vert:

After cooking the haricot vert and tossing with the shallot and garlic mixture, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes over the top. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the red pepper flakes are fragrant. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

French Onion Haricot Vert:

After cooking the haricot vert and tossing with the shallot and garlic mixture, add 1/4 cup of French onions to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the onions are heated through and slightly crispy. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

easy side dish french haricot vert recipe
Yield: 4

French Haricot Vert with Garlic and Almonds

french haricot vert recipe

French Haricot Vert is a simple yet delicious side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of fresh French green beans. The beans are blanched to a crisp-tender texture and then sautéed with shallots and garlic in butter until they are slightly caramelized. The dish is finished with a splash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt. This recipe is quick, easy to make, and the perfect addition to any meal.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound French haricot vert, make sure the stem ends are trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest if desired.
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds, optional
  • Redmonds REAL Salt and Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the French haricot vert to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bright green and tender crisp. 
  2. Drain, shock in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add the blanched French haricot vert to the large saute pan and toss with the shallot and minced garlic mixture. Cook haricots verts for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
  5. Add almonds if desired. They are a really nice addition so I highly recommend that you do!
  6. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy the delicate flavor and tender texture of French haricot vert with this delicious and very easy side dish!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 102Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 77mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

Nutritional information is not always correct.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram tagging @simplifylivelove! I love to see your photos!

If you liked this easy side dish recipe, you’ll like these too:

Instant Pot Green Beans with Potatoes and Bacon

Super Simple Buttery Carrots with Fresh Dill

Cream Cheese & Parmesan Asparagus Spears Recipe

What’s your favorite way to eat green beans? Share in the comments!

About Michelle Marine

Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.

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6 Comments

  1. Finally tried these and they were really good. Even my really picky husband loved them.