10 Minute Meal Prep: Stewed Green Beans
This recipe is quick and easy, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. It also makes use of fresh green beans, which are available in most grocery stores.
1 pound green beans
Any amount of green beans you want! It’s completely up to you.
4 cups water
The water to beans ratio is 1:1, meaning 4 cups of water will be used for every pound of green beans. The hot water is used to cook the beans until tender, then it’s drained and reserved to make the broth.
The broth is added back into pot along with some salt and pepper, tomato paste and seasonings until thickened. Finally, serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal!
2 tablespoons olive oil
Olive oil is a healthy oil that’s rich in monounsaturated fats. It can also go rancid, so store it in a dark place and use within three months of purchase. Olive oil contains vitamin E and vitamin K, which are beneficial to your health.
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Garlic is an ingredient in many Greek recipes. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, blood thinner, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-viral.
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
You can find dried oregano in a spice aisle of the grocery store, or you can use fresh oregano instead. Put 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano into your stewing pot, then cook for 10 minutes on medium heat until the green beans are soft enough to eat.
You can store dried herbs in an airtight container (like a mason jar) for up to six months at room temperature and one year if refrigerated.
Salt and pepper to taste
When it comes to seasoning, salt and pepper are two of the most versatile ingredients. They can be used in many different ways and in many different dishes. You might think that you should only use them at the end of a recipe, but there’s no reason for you not to add an extra pinch or two while cooking. Just remember, if you do decide to season during cooking—and this is especially true with salt—it’s important that your food is properly seasoned overall before serving.
So, enjoy these simple recipes and get creative with your own!
These green beans are cooked till soft for a very simple Greek dish.
- Add water to a pot and bring it to a boil.
- Add the green beans to the pot of boiling water, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove from heat and drain in a colander; reserve 1/3 cup cooking liquid if desired for an alternative use (as part of another recipe or as a base for soup stock).
- Return beans to pot and add olive oil, garlic cloves (whole), oregano leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano), salt (and pepper if desired). Cover again and simmer for an additional 5 minutes before serving
For the slow cooker, prepare as above before adding the beans, fatback, and water or broth. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours with the cover on. You may add potatoes, but I suggest selecting red potatoes that are whole and unpeeled or sliced into large chunks, making sure they are well covered, and delaying adding them until later in the cooking process.
Even while the taste is not as potent as lengthy stewing, they are nonetheless great when prepared in an Instant Pot or electronic pressure cooker. In a pressure cooker, place the beans, potatoes, and pork seasoning, if using. Seal the lid, and cook under pressure for 4 minutes on high. swift release.
Are Green Beans Good for You?
Green beans are a healthy addition to almost any diet because of their low calorie and fat content. Due to their high vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content, they are also nutrient-dense, and the nutrients they contain have a number of positive health effects. Repairing damaged cells, enhancing heart health, safeguarding gastrointestinal health, promoting pregnancy health, and maybe preventing cancer are just a few of these advantages.
Not to mention that this recipe just only one pan to cook and is vegan and gluten-free. The resulting green bean salad is a highly flexible meal because it may be served warm or cold!
What kinds of green are usable?
I usually use frozen, sliced green beans while preparing this dish at home (French-style or regular work fine). When green beans are in season throughout the summer, I like to use fresh ones, but frozen ones can fine. The texture is similar to what I’m accustomed to at restaurants, so I actually enjoy it.
The trick is to stew the beans in tomato sauce until they are soft and tender, much like the Lebanese Stewed Green Beans. Although we use cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in the Lebanese recipe, salt and pepper work just as well. This side dish is obviously gluten-free, vegan, and Whole 30 compliant.
Greek stewed green beans are a simple side dish recipe that only requires three ingredients. Naturally gluten-free and vegan. In conclusion, these green beans are cooked till soft for a very simple Greek dish.
