This simple side dish of Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Onions pairs wonderfully with Thanksgiving turkey or roasted chicken.
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
This Roasted Green Bean recipe with caramelized onions is your answer if you’re looking for a lighter and simpler alternative to a green bean casserole. Caramelized onions add amazing flavor to anything you’re cooking, and they are absolutely delicious on roasted green beans. This dish has 3 ingredients not counting salt and pepper and it’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and Whole30. For more ways to cook with caramelized onions, try my French Dip Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions, Caramelized Onion Empanadas, and Asparagus and Caramelized Onion Tartlets.
I’m pretty picky when it comes to green beans. I don’t love them unless they’re prepared right! One of my favorite ways to make them tasty is to roast them so they get a little charred on the edges. Topping them with caramelized onions takes them over the top! Green beans are also very healthy. They’re full of vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and potassium. Plus, they’re low in calories, fat, and carbs and high in fiber.
What is the difference between caramelized onions and sauteed onions?
To sauté onions, you cook them for a few minutes until they’re softened and browned. Caramelized onions are cooked lower and slower, at least 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many you’re making, which allows the natural sugar in onions to caramelize. The result is sweeter onions with a more complex flavor.
How to Caramelize Onions
Although caramelizing onions takes time, it’s not hard at all. You can use any onions that you want, but I really like Vidalia onions for caramelizing. You can also caramelize using butter instead of olive oil if you prefer.
- Cook sliced onions, seasoned with salt and pepper, in olive oil on medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet.
- Stir the onions often until they start to brown, which should take about 10 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 30 minutes until the onions are a deep golden brown.
What to Serve with Roasted Green Beans
These roasted green beans make the perfect side dish for really any protein. They’d be delicious with a whole roasted chicken, roast beef, or a stuffed turkey breast. Serve the green beans with mashed potatoes, smashed sweet potatoes, or baked sweet potato to round out the meal.
More Green Bean Recipes You’ll Love:
- Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
- Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
- Potato and Green Bean Salad
- String Beans with Garlic and Oil
- One-Skillet Chicken with Bacon and Green Beans
Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin oil
- 2 large Vidalia Onions, about 1 1/4 lbs, peeled and sliced
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 pounds green beans, trimmed
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Add onions, season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring often until they begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low and cook stirring until the onions are deep golden brown and soft, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile place the green beans on a sheet pan and spritz all over with olive oil spray, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Bake until tender crisp, about 16 to 18 minutes, turning halfway.
- Transfer to a platter and top with caramelized onions. Serve hot.
