Crispy Shallot and Orange Butter Green Beans

If you’re in the mood for a simple but seriously delicious side dish, you’ve got to try these Crispy Shallot and Orange Butter Green Beans. They’re tender, topped with crispy shallots, garlic, toasted almonds, and finished with this buttery orange zest that just takes it to the next level. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but is actually super easy to make. Perfect for a weeknight or even a special dinner. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it all the time.

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Shopping List- Crispy Shallot and Orange Butter Green Beans

• Produce:

  • Green beans, washed and trimmed

  • Shallots

  • Garlic cloves

  • Orange (for zest)

  Nuts:

  • Sliced almonds

  Dairy:

  • Unsalted vegan butter (your favorite brand)

  Pantry Staples:

  • Oil (grapeseed, vegetable, or olive oil)

  • Kosher salt (or to taste)

Products Used for Crispy Shallot and Orange Butter Green Beans

• Violife Unsalted Vegan Butter: Available at Albertsons, Vons, and many health food stores or online through retailers like Amazon or Thrive Market.

  Please note that this is my personal favorite, but feel free to use whatever product you love, is affordable, and easily available to you. The most important thing here is that it works for you, so don’t stress if you can’t find the exact brand.

Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet

• Parchment paper (optional, for lining baking sheet)

• Medium-sized pan

• Slotted spoon

• Plate lined with paper towels

• Mixing bowls

• Zester or fine grater (for orange zest)

• Sharp knife or mandoline (for slicing shallots and garlic)

• Spatula or tongs (for tossing green beans)

• Measuring spoons and cups

• Oven mitts

• Serving dish

Crispy Shallots

Beginning with cold oil allows the shallots to cook slowly and evenly. This technique prevents them from burning and ensures they become perfectly golden and crispy. Adding them to hot oil can cause the outside to cook too quickly, leaving the inside undercooked.

Key Tips for Making the Best Crispy Shallot and Orange Butter Green Beans

1. Start with Cold Oil for Even Cooking

• Why It Matters: Beginning with cold oil allows the shallots to cook slowly and evenly. This technique prevents them from burning and ensures they become perfectly golden and crispy. Adding them to hot oil can cause the outside to cook too quickly, leaving the inside undercooked.

2. Choose the Right Oil for Optimal Flavor

• Grapeseed or Vegetable Oil: These neutral oils have high smoke points, making them ideal for frying without imparting any overwhelming flavors to the shallots and garlic.

• Olive Oil Option: Olive oil adds a richer, more robust flavor. Use it if you desire an extra layer of taste in your dish. For a subtler base, stick to grapeseed or vegetable oil.

3. Roast Green Beans for Enhanced Flavor

• Why Roasting Wins: Roasting green beans brings out their natural sweetness and adds a delightful caramelized texture. This method retains a slight crispness and allows the beans to absorb the oil and seasonings more fully, unlike boiling or sautéing.

4. Use Orange Zest for Concentrated Citrus Flavor

• Zest Over Juice: Orange zest provides a powerful citrus punch without adding extra liquid that could make the butter mixture runny. The essential oils in the zest offer bright, aromatic flavors that elevate the dish.

5. Don't Skip Toasting the Almonds

• Boost Flavor and Crunch: Toasting almonds enhances their natural oils, making them more aromatic and flavorful. This step adds a satisfying crunch that perfectly contrasts with the tender green beans.

6. Season to Taste for Balanced Flavors

• Adjust as Needed: After roasting, taste the green beans and adjust the seasoning. Proper seasoning ensures a harmonious blend of flavors. Remember, the saltiness of other ingredients like butter can affect the overall taste.

7. Use Room Temperature Butter for Easy Mixing

• Why It Helps: Soft, room-temperature butter mixes effortlessly with orange zest and melts evenly over warm green beans. Cold butter can be hard to incorporate and may lead to uneven flavor distribution.

8. Opt for Unsalted Butter to Control Salt Levels

• Customize Your Seasoning: Unsalted butter allows you to control the dish's salt content more precisely. If using salted butter, reduce additional salt by about 1/4 teaspoon to prevent over-salting. Choosing your favorite vegan butter enhances the overall flavor.

9. Save and Repurpose Leftover Oil and Butter

• Maximize Flavor Use: The oil infused with shallot and garlic flavors is culinary gold. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Use it to sauté veggies, flavor soups, or drizzle over roasted dishes. Leftover orange butter can also be refrigerated and used on toast, pancakes, or waffles for a citrusy twist.

10. Serve Warm for the Best Experience

• Maintain Texture and Flavor: This dish shines when served warm. The heat ensures the butter coats the green beans beautifully, and the crispy shallots and garlic retain their crunch. If preparing in advance, gently reheat and add toppings just before serving.

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Zesty

Orange zest provides a powerful citrus punch without adding extra liquid that could make the butter mixture runny. The essential oils in the zest offer bright, aromatic flavors that elevate the dish.

INGREDIENTS:

• 24 oz (680g) green beans, washed and trimmed

• 3-4 shallots, thinly sliced

• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 60g (½ cup) sliced almonds

• Zest of one orange

• 43g (3 tbsp) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 75g (⅓ cup) oil (grapeseed, vegetable, or olive oil)

• ¾-1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)

• 3 cups (720 ml) water, room temperature

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat Oven and Toast Almonds:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the sliced almonds evenly onto a baking sheet.

   • Roast the almonds in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes or until they are lightly toasted and fragrant. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Once toasted, set them aside.

2. Cook the Shallots:

   • Pour the oil into a cold, medium-sized pan. Add the thinly sliced shallots, spreading them out evenly.

   • Turn the burner to medium heat and cook the shallots, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown. It’s okay if some pieces are slightly less done, as this adds texture and flavor.

   • Once the shallots are golden brown, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the shallots, toss them gently, and set aside.

3. Cook the Garlic:

   • In the same pan with the remaining oil, add the sliced garlic. Continue cooking over medium heat.

   • Cook the garlic until one side starts to turn lightly golden brown, then flip and brown the other side.

   • Once the garlic is golden and crispy, remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon and place it on the lined plate with the shallots. Reserve the oil and set garlic pieces aside.

4. Roast the Green Beans:

   • Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   • Spread the washed and trimmed green beans on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the reserved oil used to cook the shallots and garlic, and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.

   • Toss the green beans until they are evenly coated with oil and salt.

   • Roast the green beans on the middle rack of the oven for 10-13 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness. When done, taste the green beans for seasoning and adjust with additional salt if needed. They should be cooked and tender but still have a slight bite.

5. Prepare the Orange Butter:

   • While the green beans are roasting, combine the zest of one orange with the room-temperature butter in a small bowl. Mix until the butter and zest are well combined. Set aside.

6. Finish and Serve:

   • Once the green beans are done roasting, remove them from the oven. While still warm, add 2-3 tablespoons of the orange zest butter to the beans and toss until the beans are evenly coated.

   • Transfer the green beans to a serving dish. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top, followed by the crispy shallots and garlic.

   • Just before serving, gently toss the green beans to distribute the toppings.