Green Beans and Potatoes is a simple, comforting side dish that combines tender green beans with hearty potatoes in a flavorful, seasoned broth. Here’s a classic recipe to prepare it:
Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed (or 2 cups frozen green beans)
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (Yukon gold or red potatoes work well)
- 1 small onion, diced (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh thyme)
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth (or water)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the vegetables:
- Wash and trim the green beans, cutting them into 2-inch pieces if desired.
- Peel and dice the potatoes into bite-sized chunks.
- Sauté the aromatics:
- In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion (if using) and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Cook the potatoes:
- Add the diced potatoes to the pot and stir to coat with the oil and aromatics.
- Season with salt, pepper, and thyme (and red pepper flakes, if using).
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to begin browning the potatoes slightly.
- Add the green beans and broth:
- Add the green beans to the pot, then pour in the broth (or water). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer until tender:
- Cover the pot and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the green beans are cooked through.
- If the mixture looks too dry during cooking, add a little more broth or water to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Taste and adjust:
- Once the potatoes and green beans are tender, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or thyme if needed.
- Serve:
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot alongside your main dish.
Tips:
- For extra flavor: You can add a couple of strips of bacon (cooked and crumbled) or a tablespoon of butter at the end for richness.
- Make it a one-pot meal: Add cooked sausage, ham, or chicken pieces for a complete meal in one pot.
- Make it ahead: This dish stores well in the fridge for a few days and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
This Green Beans and Potatoes dish is a wonderful, comforting side dish that pairs well with pork, chicken, or beef. Enjoy!