Orange Glazed Green Beans with Cranberries

4.7 from 16 votes
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Sweet and tangy Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans are simple to make, but look and taste spectacular. This easy side dish has just a few ingredients and is ready in about 20 minutes, so you can enjoy it on a busy weeknight. But it’s also a fresh alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving green bean recipe for your holiday meal. 

Orange Glazed Green Beans – Fresh Holiday Side Dish!

We all have super busy days. But sometimes we can tell in advance that there is a high likelihood of things spiraling out of control. Those are the days when you are glad you put a Turkey Breast in the Crockpot that morning so that you know you have dinner covered.  And then in no time at all, you can whip up this easy and healthy green bean recipe.

As long as you have a few simple ingredients in your fridge and pantry at all times so you can throw together something like this. It comes together in a flash!

Once you’ve got your beans cooked, it literally takes about two minutes to add the other ingredients and make it all glazy good. It’s the perfect vegetable side dish for any occasion.

The orange marmalade adds a bit of sweetness to the beans, with some tart flavor from the dried cranberries. A wee bit of dijon mustard pulls it all together and balances it out with a little zing. Perfect festive seasonal flavors for a perfect vegetable side dish.

Easy green beans recipe with dried cranberries and orange glaze in a yellow serving dish

Recipe Ingredients

There are only five main ingredients plus olive oil, salt, and pepper in this easy green bean recipe. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full amounts and recipe steps. But keep reading for tips and serving suggestions.

  • Green beans – I use fresh green beans and steam them in a pot. But you can also use one of those microwave steamer bags of fresh beans or even frozen ones.
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh sage – you can also use dried, you’ll just use less than the fresh herbs.
  • Orange marmalade – your favorite brand is fine.
  • Dijon mustard
  • Dried cranberries
  • Salt and pepper
All of the ingredients to make orange glazed green beans with dried cranberries in bowls on a marble countertop.

How to Make Cranberry Green Beans

It’s super simple to make these lovely fresh green beans. Let’s get started.

Steam the green beans. Place green beans in a steamer basket over simmering water and steam to your desired doneness. Or cook according to package directions if using fresh green beans in a microwave bag or frozen beans.

Saute with herbs. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add green beans and sage, and saute for a couple of minutes to let them brown slightly.

Glaze the beans. Stir in the marmalade, mustard, and cranberries, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for another minute or two until the glaze thickens and coats the green beans.

Tips for Success

Cook to perfection. My family likes soft green beans, but I know many people like them more crisp-tender. Therefore, cook them to your preference.

Use your desired method. I’ll often use fresh green beans and steamed them in a pot, but you can use one of those steamer bags, or even frozen beans. You could also make Instant Pot green beans, then toss them in a pan with the glaze ingredients. In fact, I’d suspect you could just switch your Instant Pot to “Saute” mode and finish off making them right in there.

Cook for a crowd. My family of four often polishes off this batch of beans, so if you’re making it for a big holiday meal, I’d highly suggest doubling or tripling it. You may just need to use a larger skillet.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Transfer your leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 or 4 days. You can even make it in advance, as it does reheat well. You might just want to slightly undercook your beans. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

They can be reheated in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove.

Orange Green Beans with Dried Cranberries in a serving dish

Make it a meal

You can definitely add this easy green bean recipe to a weeknight dinner with something simple like Honey Balsamic Steak Bites and Brown Rice since they come together super fast and easy. But it is also a refreshing addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. They are also lovely for a Sunday meal.

Glazed Fresh Green Beans in a yellow serving dish

What You’ll Need

Brianne Recommends

STEAMER BASKET – I can’t live without my steamer basket. I have so many pots and pans, so I don’t need another special one with a steamer insert. Since this is collapsible, it works in any size pot or pan. For a dish like this, I will use it in my deep skillet, steam the beans, drain the water, and saute them right in the same pan. If I need to steam a bunch of broccoli or cauliflower, I’ll use a larger pot. I do tend to just use a little cheap version, but I am tempted to get this one with the better grip on the handle.

TONGS –  I love my tongs and use them daily. You can use them to get the hot steamer basket out of the pot, grab any stray green beans, and to toss the beans in the glaze. Since they have the silicone tip, they won’t scratch your pots and pans.

SKILLET – Pictured is the 3-quart stainless steel saute pan from Le Creuset which I used several times a week. You can find it on their website, but it is not available on Amazon. This one from Tramontina is a fabulous substitute.

Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans Recipe
4.7 from 16 votes

Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans

Sweet and tangy Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans are simple to make, but look and taste spectacular. This easy side dish has just a few ingredients and is ready in about 20 minutes, so you can enjoy it on a busy weeknight. But it's also a fresh alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving green bean recipe for your holiday meal. 
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, ends snipped off
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon minced fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 2 Tablespoons orange marmalade
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • a few grinds of black pepper

Instructions

  • Place green beans in a steamer basket over simmering water and steam to desired doneness. Or cook according to package directions if using fresh green beans in a microwave bag or frozen beans.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add green beans and sage, and saute for a couple of minutes to let them brown slightly.
  • Stir in the marmalade, mustard, and cranberries, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for another minute or two until the glaze thickens and coats the green beans.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 92 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Sodium 317mg13%
Potassium 239mg7%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 785IU16%
Vitamin C 14.4mg17%
Calcium 46mg5%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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58 Comments
  1. Heather

    Hi! Looks delicious! Do you blanch the beans after they are done cooking and then return them to the pan for the sauce?

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Hi Heather,

      I don’t blanch the green beans, but that’s because my family prefers them to be on the softer side. However, you can definitely blanch them after cooking to keep them tender-crisp.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Hi Sharon,
      Yes, you can absolutely make this ahead! I usually reheat it in a skillet, but if you cover the baking dish with foil, it should reheat well at 350 F. I would think 20-25 minutes should warm it through.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Lynn, it’s difficult to say how much volume-wise, because green beans vary in size. However, the recipe calls for a pound of green beans and 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, so I suggest that if you need to be specific with portion size that you use a kitchen scale and weigh out 5 oz per portion.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Kate, a pound of green beans (which is what the recipe calls for) will typically serve 4 adults as a side dish. Hope this helps!

  2. That look amazing!! I love that it’s a healthier version. YUMMY!!! thanks for linking up to the Create LInk Inspire party. You are being featured today on Nap-Time Creations in some great fall food!! Check it out! Emily

  3. “No short ribs at a diner.” I’ve comitted that to memory, just now. Sorry you had such a rough day, but at least it was a learning experience for you readers, right? 😉

    I know it sounds crazy, but what kind of green beans to make is always my biggest dilemma for Thanksgiving. So many options. Just printed this to add it to the pile of options.

  4. I almost always eat at home, even when I’m running late and in a hurry. Usually it’s a good decision, but I totally understand how you felt. These green beans look amazing! Such a fab side dish!

  5. Linda | Brunch with Joy

    What a rough day for you, Brianne. I bet it must be one exhausting day. Thanks for sharing this cranberry orange glazed green beans, definitely looks delicious and special for the holidays.

  6. The combination of cranberry and orange totally makes me think of the holidays. I don’t like green beans unless they’ve got some kind of awesome flavor going on, and these totally do!

  7. Your doctored up green beans look terrific! I love the addition of dried cranberries. Sorry for the lackluster meal at the dinner…but at least dinner was ready for the next day 🙂

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