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Fresh, fast, and festive, these Pineapple Green Beans are easy for weeknight meals, but special enough to deserve a place alongside a Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham. This sweet and savory vegetable side dish recipe is glazed with honey, ginger, and pineapple juice, then tossed with crunchy pecans for a simple vegetable side dish with spectacular flavors.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
Why You’ll Love These Pineapple Green Beans
My extended family does not like to stray from our traditional dishes on holidays. So sometimes when I want to try something new, I have to add those holiday flavors to our weeknight meals. It’s my time to get creative, and I end up with a dish that’s super versatile.
These green beans are one of those easy vegetable side dish recipes. It’s fast and fresh which makes it perfect for a busy weeknight. But with the addition of festive ingredients like ginger, pineapple, and pecans, it definitely adds something special to a holiday meal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even with an Easter ham. Here’s why you’ll love it too…
- A feast for the senses. These fresh green beans have crunchy pecans for texture, a little zing from ginger, and the bright green and yellow that make it gorgeous on a serving dish.
- Makes as much as you need. The basic recipe serves a family of four to six, but you can easily double or triple it when you have the entire extended family gathered around the table. And either way, it comes together in minutes.
- Allergy-friendly. This dish is naturally gluten free and dairy free. Just swap the honey for another sweetener if you need it strictly vegan. And while I like the nuts, they can be omitted if needed.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s a brief rundown of what you’ll need for this easy green bean recipe so you can check out any substitutes and make your shopping list. You’ll find the full amounts and detailed instructions further down in the recipe card.
- Green beans. You can use either fresh or frozen.
- Olive oil.
- Garlic.
- Chopped pecans. Or pecan halves if you want larger pieces.
- Dried ginger. Feel free to use about a tablespoon of grated fresh ginger if you have it.
- Salt and pepper.
- Canned pineapple tidbits. You’ll need the juice and the tidbits themselves. I usually use Dole Canned Pineapple Tidbits in 100% Pineapple Juice which is available in cans or small fruit cups.
- Honey. Substitute maple syrup or agave if you want to make it vegan.
Make it a Meal
This is one of those easy vegetable side dishes that will fit in perfectly on both your weeknight dinner table and your holiday menu. Here are some serving suggestions to inspire you.
- Busy night dinner. You can whip them up in minutes to go alongside your BBQ Chicken Tostadas. Or have them with a simple Honey Balsamic Marinated Flat Iron Steak.
- Meatless Monday meal. Serve this green bean side dish with Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese or Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto.
- With holiday ham. With the pineapple, it’s definitely one of the best Easter or Christmas side dishes to serve with Air Fryer Ham and some Scalloped Sweet Potatoes and Apples or traditional Gluten Free Pierogi. Then use leftovers to make Pineapple Ham Cheese Ball.
- Alongside a roast. Another option for Christmas or even New Year’s Eve is to make Pineapple Green Beans while you have a Cranberry Crusted Prime Rib Roast or Bottom Round Roast in the oven.
- Part of a Thanksgiving feast. Swap out the usual casserole and have this dish with turkey, Corn Pudding, and a scoop of Orange Cranberry Sauce before you dig into Pumpkin Custards for dessert.
- For brunch. That’s the perfect time for sweet and savory, like these green beans with Bacon Cheddar Quiche with Tomato and Pineapple and Creamy Apple Salad.
Pineapple Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from can of pineapple tidbits)
- 2 Tablespoons honey, or maple syrup or agave if making vegan
- 1/2 cup Dole Canned Pineapple Tidbits in 100% Pineapple Juice, drained, but reserve juice
Instructions
- Steam or cook green beans according to package directions to desired doneness.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add green beans, garlic, pecans, ginger, salt, and pepper to the skillet and saute for 3 or 4 minutes until the green beans are slightly blistered, garlic is releasing its aroma, and pecans begin to toast.
- Stir in the juice and honey and cook for several more minutes until the sauce starts to thicken and glaze the beans.
- Add the pineapple, toss, and serve hot.
Notes
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Delicious
i love your recipe
Thank you!
This is a fun twist on a typical green bean recipe!
Thank you for linking up to our Home Matters Link Party!
Have a lovely evening,
Randi A Fresh-Squeezed Life 🙂
#HomeMattersParty
Oh sweet girl!! I pinned this masterpiece! Deeeelish!! xo ~ally