How to Cook Green Beans in the Oven (Plus: a Balsamic Reduction)

Tired of canned green beans? I can relate. They may be an easy way to add veggies to a weeknight dinner, but they’re not exactly exciting.

That’s why this week we’re excited to explain how to make a quick and easy batch of fresh green beans in the oven – complete with a secret ingredient that levels this recipe up by about a million percent: a balsamic reduction.

What is a Reduction?

Okay, first things first. What the heck is a balsamic reduction?

It sounds like an advanced technique used only by gourmet chefs, but I promise it’s not hard at all. It’s is a cooking technique that turns liquids into a thicker, more concentrated form.

Basically, when you reduce a liquid, you’re just boiling off some of the water and turning it into a sauce.

For our recipe, we’re just going to take half a cup of balsamic vinegar and simmer it on the stove while the green beans are baking. This process will boil off some of the water, turning the balsamic vinegar into a syrupy sauce with intenser flavor and a more satisfying texture.

Of course, if you don’t have the time or motivation to make a reduction, don’t worry; the recipe will still taste great if you simply pour regular vinegar over your baked veggies at the end.

But trust us: a reduction will level up the taste factor (AND the classy factor) exponentially.

How to Bake Green Beans in the Oven

If you’re like me, you probably opt for canned vegetables automatically out of convenience – not to mention that using canned beans means that’s one less produce item that will go bad in the fridge before you get a chance to use it (I’m notoriously bad about this).

But believe me when I say that fresh green beans are SO. MUCH. BETTER than canned. They’ve got more flavor – and more importantly, a crunchier, more satisfying texture – than their canned counterparts.

And the best part? Cooking fresh green beans isn’t complicated or time-consuming. There’s no complex chopping or preparation stage, and green beans easily cook in the oven or the stove. Or, if you want to keep it extra simple and mess-free, you can steam them in the microwave or Instant Pot.

What’s great about this recipe is that it adds a bit of extra crunch and flavor, thanks to our balsamic reduction and the addition of some crispy slivered almonds and garlic. All you have to do is:

If you’re looking for something simple to add to your Thanksgiving table, these green beans with balsamic reduction is an excellent option. It’s easy enough for weeknights, but looks (and tastes!) impressive enough to serve to company.

Looking for more Thanksgiving recipe inspiration? Check out our Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Pecans →

Let us know what you think about this simple vegan side dish, and if you decide to try it, rate and comment below – and tag us @plum_savory on Instagram with your mouth-watering creations!

Cheers,
Nicole

Green Beans with Balsamic Reduction

A quick baked green bean recipe that adds class and flavor to any family meal.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• While oven is preheating, prepare green beans by cutting in half and chopping off the stems.
• Place green beans (1lb), slivered almonds (1/2c), garlic (2 cloves), olive oil (1 Tblsp), and salt (1/4tsp) on baking sheet and mix.
• Cook for 25-30 minutes, until green beans are slightly soft and slivered almonds are slightly browned.
• While green beans are cooking, prepare balsamic reduction. Place balsamic vinegar (1/2 c) in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until boiling. Once boiling reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for approximately 12-15 minutes, until balsamic is slightly thick.
• Once green beans are done, pour balsamic reduction over them and mix until well covered.
• Serve warm as the perfect side to any main dish!

Notes

Keeps in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in either a cast-iron skillet or the microwave.

Keyword easy, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian