Savory side dishes are the best part of any menu assembly, and this green bean gremolata is one of my favorites.

Often, side dishes are as important as the main meal itself. They must balance the flavor and, of course, add a bit of color. Green beans, also known as haricots verts, are a must-have side dish for any occasion, especially holidays.

green beans gremolata

This simple green beans gremolata is perfect for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July—the list is endless. For another fun and delicious side you may want to try our chimichurri.

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In our household, Brussels sprouts or broccoli are more sought-after than their green counterparts.

This green beans gremolata dish is healthy, easy to prepare, and delicious. It can be enjoyed all year round. I have updated a traditional gremolata with new flavors for this recipe.

In this Article

Why You’ll Love Green Bean Gremolata

Healthy – Green beans are a low-calorie food that provides vitamins C and K, fiber, and folate.

Flavorful – Thanks to all of the savory ingredients, from pleasantly pungent garlic and nutty parmesan to fresh parsley and toasted pine nuts, these beans are full of flavor. 

Versatile – You can serve these beans alongside nearly any main dish or use the gremolata for other purposes. Make it a sauce for proteins, or toss other veggies in it.

The Best Part is

The best part is that you can prepare this green bean recipe the day before. Making the dish ahead takes all the stress out and leaves you with spare time to enjoy yourself.

All you need to do is clean your beans and briefly cook them. Then, immediately immerse them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

This step will prevent your beans from overcooking while maintaining their nice and crispy green color.

Plus, as you know, we eat with our eyes too. I do not know about you, but I do not care for brown or green beans when overcooked. This simple blanching process will ensure you have vibrant beans with a bright green color.

One important tip is to drain the beans and pat them dry before storing them in a plastic Ziploc bag.

In the morning, warm them out of the fridge before adding the finishing touches.

green beans gremolata

Another excellent version you may want to try, is buttery garlic green beans . Easy and delicious. We never have enough green beans recipes in our recipe folder,

What is Gremolata?

Gremolata combines chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic that has been finely chopped.

I chop the parsley and garlic in a food processor to save time.

I also add in lemon zest, parmesan cheese, and toasted pine nuts. It takes just a few minutes to make this easy condiment.

Finish it with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy this wonderful gremolata recipe.

This delicious gremolata can also be used with osso buco. You can season chicken and fish with it as well.

Do not skip the roasted pine nuts. They give this dish a wonderful, uplifting, savory flavor. You will love it.

Here are a few helpful tips for the ingredients needed to make this Green Bean Gremolata

This is a short introduction. The ingredient list is also brief. It includes essential items that you may already have in your pantry. Please read the recipe for complete instructions.

Green beans: Be sure to use crisp and bright green beans without bruising. They should be firm to the touch.

Minced garlic clove: Cloves of garlic should be fresh and free of any bruising.

Lemon zest: Zest all the yellow, minding not to zest the white pit, which is bitter.

Parsley: Minced fresh flat-leaf parsley is my preference because it has the most flavor. Use the stems, too.

Parmesan cheese: Grating your fresh parmesan would be best. Don’t skip incorporating the cheese — it marries beautifully with all the other ingredients.

Pine nuts: These are my favorite addition — they bring the gremolata to a new level.

Lemon juice: Lemon adds a fresh and savory taste to this vegetable side dish, bringing all the ingredients together. 

Extra-virgin olive oil

green bean gremolata ingredients

Equipment Needed

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Colander

Mixing bowls

Microplane zester

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Large skillet

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01/18/2025 05:36 am GMT
green beans gremolata

Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions to create this easy Gremolata recipe. 

With all my recipes, please assemble all the ingredients before starting cooking and baking. As you can see from the ingredients in the recipe card, preparing this recipe takes no time at all.

This roasted green bean gremolata dish can be eaten hot off the skillet or cold. I prefer it cold.

Start by blanching your green beans

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Then, add the green beans to the boiling water.

Blanch the green beans for a few minutes and immediately submerge them into a large bowl of cold water.

Once the green beans are cold, remove them from the ice bowl. Drain the beans in a colander, put them into a bowl, and dry them with a towel.

At this juncture, you can either store them and use them later or continue preparing your recipe. 

Use a large skillet to saute them. You want to saute them for a couple of minutes.

The squeeze of lemon at the last minute gives it a nice final touch and enhances all the flavors.

Don’t use the bitter white part of the lemon when zesting. It can ruin the taste of the dish.

Pro Tips

When cleaning the green beans, cut off the end and pull the string center filament towards you. Those can be hard for the little ones to eat.

What to Serve With Green Beans Gremolata

Green beans gremolata is a great side dish for so many meals. Pair it with poultry like your Thanksgiving turkey or a spatchcocked chicken or with beef tenderloin or smothered pork chops.

It is also a good option for more casual meals like jalapeño burgers for a cookout. Or serve it alongside a simple bowl of French onion soup. 

green beans gremolata

Variations 

  • Vegetables – Toss this sauce with other veggies like broccoli rabe, carrots, or zucchini. 
  • Fresh herbs – Incorporate other herbs like basil, cilantro, or mint. 
  • Zest – Instead of lemon zest, incorporate orange zest for a different fresh flavor.

Other Savory Side Dishes

Cauliflower Polonaise

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard

Mushroom Salad with Herbs

Roasted Bell Pepper with Italian Farro Salad

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between French-style and Italian-style green beans? 

Italian-style green beans have a fairly flat pod compared with French-style beans. On the other hand, French green beans are small and thin. They are also called French green beans haricots vert.

How to jazz up green beans? 

Thanks to their fairly neutral flavor, green beans go well with many herbs and spices. This gremolata is one of the best ways to dress them up. 

Are green beans good for you? 

Green beans contain many healthy nutrients, making them an ideal accompaniment to any meal.

What is the difference between chimichurri and gremolata?

Both are condiments made by finely chopping herbs and other ingredients. This is where they differ: Chimichurri originates from Argentina and Uruguay, while gremolata is from Italy. The chimichurri contains red pepper flakes, oregano, and red vinegar, while the gremolata contains garlic, parsley, and lemon zest. The consistency of the chimichurri is more liquid.

Green beans gremolata

Storage 

These green beans are stored well as long as you blanch them. This makes them an ideal make-ahead dish for a gathering or meal prep. 

Make-Ahead: Blanch the beans and store them in the refrigerator until you can toss them with the gremolata. 

Refrigerator: Cooked green beans will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container.

Freezer: They will freeze for up to 3 months in the freezer.

If you enjoy this dish, check out these fabulous recipes:

Potato and Green Tomato Gratin

Green Beans with Pearl Onions and Salmon

Zucchini Salad with Avocado, Pepita Parsley Gremolata 

Equipment and ingredients used to make this recipe:

Green Beans Gremolata

5 from 15 votes
green beans gremolata
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Giangi Townsend
Super easy and so savory. A must-try side dish!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound French string beans
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest, grated
  • 3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, minced
  • 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (optional)
  • 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch them for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender but still crisp. Drain the beans in a colander and immediately put them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and preserve their bright green color.
  • For the gremolata, toss the garlic, lemon zest, parsley, parmesan, and pine nuts in a small bowl and set aside.
  • When ready to serve, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Drain the beans and pat them dry. Add the beans to the pan and sauté, turning frequently, for 2 minutes, until coated with olive oil and heated through.
  • Remove from the heat, add the gremolata and toss well.
  • Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve.

Equipment

Notes

Storage 

  • These green beans are stored well as long as you blanch them. This makes them an ideal make-ahead dish for a gathering or meal prep. 
  • Make-Ahead: Blanch the beans and store them in the refrigerator until you can toss them with the gremolata. 
  • Refrigerator: Cooked green beans will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container.
  • Freezer: Freeze cooked green beans for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Pro Tips

  • When cleaning the green beans, cut off the end and pull the string center filament towards you. Those can be hard for the little ones to eat.
  • As soon as the beans are cooled off, remove them from the ice bath and dry them well. Store layers of beans between paper towels and place them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
  • Don’t use the bitter white part of the lemon when zesting. It can ruin the taste of the dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 46mg | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 9.3mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

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Originally published on August 18, 2013.