Orange Cranberry Green Bean Recipe

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Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans are tossed in a sweet and tangy glaze made of Dijon mustard and orange marmalade, along with dried cranberries. This easy side dish has just a few ingredients and is ready in about 20 minutes. It is fast enough to serve with a busy weeknight dinner. But it’s also a fresh alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving green bean recipe to lighten up your holiday meal. 

Orange Glazed Green Beans with Dried Cranberries

If you are a parent, you’ve probably had the experience of running extremely boring errands with an extremely cranky child all day? Inevitably, the days end with angry meltdowns. And that may or may not be the small child losing their mind.

Those are the days when you are glad you put a Turkey Breast in the Crockpot that morning.  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 just minutes!

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 fall flavors for a perfect vegetable side dish.

My family polished off this batch of beans, so if you’re making it for a big holiday meal, I’d highly suggest doubling or tripling it.

What You’ll Need

There are only five main ingredients plus olive oil, salt, and pepper:

• 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
• Dijon mustard
• Dried cranberries
• Salt and pepper

How to Make Cranberry Green Beans

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Sitr 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

Cooking the green beans

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

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.

It can be reheated in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove. It is best to reheat portions without the goat cheese already added.

I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

Cook for a Crowd

This recipe is easily doubled or tripled if you are adding it to a holiday menu for a large group. You may just need to use a larger skillet.

Make it a meal

You can definitely add this easy green bean recipe to a weeknight dinner since they come together super fast and easy. But it is also a refreshing addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and they are also lovely for a Sunday meal.

You can easily double or triple this recipe if you are serving it at a large family meal.

Weeknight dinner

• Honey Balsamic Steak Bites
• Brown Rice
• Easy Baked Beans

Sunday supper

• Balsamic Roast Chicken
• Baked Potatoes
• Buttered Carrots and Peas

Thanksgiving feast

• Roast Turkey
• Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes
• Corn Pudding Casserole
• Orange Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce

Christmas menu

• Cranberry Garlic Prime Rib
• Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash
• Horseradish Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower
• Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa with Pomegranates

Holiday ham

• Baked Ham
• Asparagus Mushroom Quinoa Pilaf
• Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots

Shop the Recipe

4.8 from 8 votes

Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans

Sweet and tart with a little zing, and perfectly easy for a holiday meal or weeknight supper.

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 20 mins

Servings: 4

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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.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Side Dish, Vegetable

Cuisine: American

Keywords: orange glazed green beans

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More fresh green bean recipes

• Pineapple Pecan Green Beans change up the flavors but are just as sweet and sassy.
• White Wine Lemon Green Beans and Mushrooms take a simple dish and give it a “twist”.
• Creamy Green Beans with Mushrooms are made in a skillet and taste like classic green bean casserole, only lighter and fresher.
• Balsamic Green Beans with Goat Cheese and bold, tangy, and so simple.
• And here are 15 Fresh and Flavorful Green Bean Recipes.

Originally published on Nov 2, 2014