Quick & Tasty Ina Garten String Beans With Shallots Recipe

String beans with shallots dance on the culinary stage as a vibrant side dish that transforms simple vegetables into something extraordinary.

Green and crisp, these slender pods bring elegance to any meal with their subtle sophistication.

Fresh ingredients whisper culinary magic when carefully combined by skilled hands.

The recipe celebrates seasonal produce with a delicate balance of flavors and textures that surprise and delight.

Butter and olive oil create a luxurious coating that enhances the natural sweetness of the beans.

Shallots contribute a gentle, nuanced aromatics that elevate the entire dish beyond mere accompaniment.

Professional techniques transform these humble ingredients into a memorable dining experience that feels both comforting and refined: prepare to be amazed.

Why String Beans and Shallots Rock

• Elevate Simple Vegetables: Transform ordinary string beans into a restaurant-worthy side dish with minimal ingredients and professional cooking techniques.
• Master Quick Blanching Magic: Learn the professional chef's method of blanching beans, which preserves vibrant green color, crisp texture, and locks in maximum nutritional value within just 1.5 minutes of cooking.
• Create Luxurious Flavor Layers: Develop rich, deep taste by slowly caramelizing shallots in butter and oil, then perfectly seasoning the beans, resulting in a sophisticated vegetable side that feels elegant yet incredibly easy to prepare.
• Enjoy Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact: Achieve a gourmet-style vegetable dish in under 15 minutes with straightforward steps, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive dinner parties without complex cooking skills.

Your Ingredient List for This Side Dish

• String Beans: Fresh green beans with crisp texture and vibrant color, best when firm and bright green without blemishes.
• Shallots: Mild and sweet allium that adds delicate flavor, choose firm and smooth shallots without soft spots.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Butter provides rich flavor while olive oil helps prevent burning and adds subtle taste, use unsalted butter for better control of seasoning.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Salt enhances overall flavor and balances the vegetable's natural taste, freshly ground black pepper adds warmth and slight heat.

How to Make Shallot-Infused Beans

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Blanch Green Beans

• Drop the fresh green beans into the boiling water
• Cook for 1.5 minutes until they turn bright green
• Quickly drain the beans
• Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process

Step 3: Sauté Shallots

Heat a combination of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped shallots and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they become golden and caramelized (about 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Combine Beans and Shallots

Drain the cooled green beans completely and add them to the pan with the sautéed shallots. Gently mix to combine.

Step 5: Season and Warm

Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the beans. Toss the beans to ensure even coating and heat through for 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Transfer the warm green beans and shallots to a serving dish. Serve hot as a delightful side dish that brings together the sweetness of shallots and the crisp texture of perfectly cooked green beans.

Tips for Extra Flavor in Every Bite

• Select Premium Beans: Choose young, slender haricots verts with a bright green color and crisp snap for maximum freshness and flavor.
• Master Blanching Technique: Briefly boil beans in salted water until tender-crisp, ensuring they retain their vibrant green hue and delicate texture.
• Perfect Shallot Caramelization: Cook shallots slowly and gently in butter, stirring occasionally to develop a rich, sweet, golden-brown color without burning.
• Temperature Control Matters: Use medium heat when sautéing to prevent burning and allow shallots to release natural sugars gradually.
• Elevate with Finishing Touches: Sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground black pepper just before serving to enhance the beans' natural flavors and add a subtle crunch.

Storing This Side the Smart Way

• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve the crisp texture and vibrant flavor by using a vacuum sealer. Remove excess air from the container to prevent freezer burn and maintain the beans' original quality. This method extends storage life and keeps nutrients intact.
• Glass Container Preservation: Transfer cooled string beans to wide-mouth glass containers with tight-fitting lids. These containers prevent moisture absorption and protect the delicate shallot flavor. Ensure beans are completely cool before sealing to prevent condensation.
• Quick Cooling Technique: Before storing, spread beans on a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. This rapid cooling process stops the cooking process and locks in freshness. Pat beans dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which can lead to faster spoilage.

Variations on Classic Green Beans

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Enhance the string beans by adding chopped fresh oregano, thyme, and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired side dish.
• Garlic Almond Crunch: Toast sliced almonds in the pan before cooking shallots, then add minced garlic for extra depth and a delightful nutty texture to the green beans.
• Bacon-Infused Classic: Crisp up diced bacon before cooking shallots, using the rendered fat to sauté the vegetables and adding crumbled bacon on top for a savory twist.
• Asian Sesame Spark: Replace butter with sesame oil, add a splash of soy sauce, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for an East Asian flavor profile.

String Bean Wrap-Up

Ina Garten’s string beans with shallots elevate simple vegetables into a culinary masterpiece.

Mediterranean influences dance through this elegant side dish, transforming humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Crisp green beans maintain perfect texture after their quick blanching process.

Buttery shallots provide luxurious depth and complexity to each delectable bite.

Restaurant-quality results emerge from minimal preparation and straightforward techniques.

Complex yet accessible, this recipe promises sophisticated flavors you cannot resist – share this kitchen revelation with friends, comment below with your cooking experiences, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms.

Ina Garten String Beans With Shallots Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s string beans with shallots elevate garden-fresh green beans into an elegant side dish. Silky caramelized shallots and crisp beans create a sophisticated harmony that brings simple vegetables to new culinary heights for dinner guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) French string beans (haricots verts), ends removed

Seasoning:

• Kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Aromatics and Fats:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• 3 large shallots, large-diced

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot by filling it with water and adding a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Carefully lower the fresh string beans into the boiling water and cook for approximately 90 seconds, ensuring they remain crisp and vibrant green.
3. Quickly drain the beans using a colander and immediately transfer them to a bowl filled with ice water, which will halt the cooking process and preserve their bright color and snappy texture.
4. In a spacious skillet, combine unsalted butter and olive oil, heating the mixture over medium temperature until the butter melts and begins to shimmer.
5. Add finely chopped shallots to the butter-oil blend, stirring periodically and allowing them to caramelize and develop a rich golden-brown color, which typically takes 7-9 minutes.
6. Remove the string beans from the ice bath and pat them thoroughly dry using clean kitchen towels or paper towels to prevent water diluting the flavors.
7. Introduce the dried string beans to the skillet with caramelized shallots, tossing gently to ensure even coating and distribution.
8. Season the beans with of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, carefully mixing to ensure each bean is uniformly seasoned.
9. Continue heating the beans for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring they are warmed through while maintaining their delightful crispness.
10. Transfer the aromatic string beans to a serving dish and present immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Fresh green beans burst with crisp, garden-fresh flavor when selected carefully from local markets or farmer’s stands.
• Blanching technique locks in nutrients and creates a perfectly tender-crisp texture that elevates the entire dish.
• Shallots transform from sharp to mellow when cooked slowly, releasing deep caramelized sweetness that complements the beans’ natural earthiness.
• Butter adds rich, silky depth and helps create a glossy coating that makes every bite luxuriously smooth.
• Ice water stops the cooking process instantly, preserving bright green color and maintaining the beans’ delightful crunch.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 130 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg