- Sweet maple syrup, tangy Dijon and splash of vinegar hit all the right notes, making this dish easy to pair with anything.
- Green beans are loaded with bone-healthy vitamin K, along with fiber to support a healthy heart and gut.
- The shallots can be prepped in advance, making this easy to assemble just before serving.
These Maple-Mustard Green Beans with Crispy Shallots turn an everyday vegetable into something special. A quick steam in the pan keeps the fiber-packed beans vibrant and snappy, while a maple-Dijon-vinegar dressing strikes just the right balance of flavors. Best of all, this side dish is made in one pan and the components can be prepped ahead, making it easy to pull together at the last minute. Ready to add this to your menu? Read on for tips and tricks below!
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Haricots verts are thinner and more tender than regular green beans. If using standard green beans, add 1 to 2 minutes to the cook time.
- Slice the shallots evenly so they cook at the same rate. Keep a close eye on them—they go from golden to burnt quickly.
- Olive oil adds flavor, and grapeseed oil has a high smoke point that’s good for frying and ensures the shallots crisp evenly without bitterness. Don’t skip the combo if you want the best results!
Nutrition Notes
- One cup of cooked green beans can meet almost 50% of your daily needs for vitamin K, which helps keep bones strong and reduce fractures. We also love that they’re high in soluble fiber—an important nutrient that can slow blood sugar absorption, improve cholesterol and support gut health.
- Pure maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees and provides a source of natural sweetness. While it is considered an added sugar, maple syrup does contain manganese, a mineral that helps digest carbs and even acts as an antioxidant to help reduce inflammation. As with other added sugars, just be sure to use maple syrup in moderation.
- Dijon mustard is a low-calorie, low-fat option that adds a lot of flavor. The mustard seeds used to make Dijon mustard are high in an antioxidant called glucosinolates that help to protect cells and prevent damage.
- Shallots, like onions, are part of the allium family. They contain a compound called allicin that helps to support immunity and heart health and may even protect against some cancers. Shallots contain higher amounts of vitamin A, magnesium, manganese and zinc compared to an onion.
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.