These Balsamic Green Beans with Walnuts are one of my favorite vegetable side dishes of all times! Simple, quick, elegant and delicious and they only take 15 minutes to make!

Green beans with balsamic and walnuts in a white serving bowl with a serving spoon and linen

I originally shared this recipe on August 2, 2012. I have updated the images and some of the text today.

Table of contents

Why We Love This Green Beans and Walnut Recipe

This balsamic-glazed green beans recipe is so simple, but the flavors are complex in the best way. The nutty sweetness of the garlic paired with the meatiness of the walnuts and the bright tangy balsamic vinegar take regular green beans to a whole new level.

With just 6 simple ingredients and 15 minutes, these Green Beans and Walnuts will be your favorite way to prepare green beans. They will become your go-to easy side dish for any weeknight meal or even for a more elegant affair like a holiday meal!

And if you are like me, you cannot get enough green bean recipes, so make sure to check out my Simple Skillet Green Beans too. They are sauteed and so easy to prepare! And don’t miss this guide How To Cook Green Beans.

Ingredients For Green Beans With Walnuts

ingredients for balsamic green beans with walnuts

Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil has more monounsaturated fat than other oils, so it is a good option for heart-healthy cooking.

Garlic

Garlic is in the onion family and adds a slight spicy warmth to the fresh green beans.

Walnuts

Toasting the walnuts brings the oils to the surface and intensifies the nutty flavor. They add an awesome sweet nutty flavor and great meaty texture to this healthy side dish.

Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Aged balsamic vinegar is much sweeter and thicker than regular balsamic vinegar. It adds the perfect sweet tangy flavor to this dish and the thicker consistency will perfectly coat the green beans.

Kosher Salt

The coarser grains of kosher salt actually amplify the flavor and texture of the the dish without making it taste salty. And a little bit goes a long way.

Green Beans

Fresh whole green beans contain vitamins A, C and K, as well as folic acid and fiber. Steaming them just until they are crisp-tender maximizes their health benefits and also the crunchy texture is best for this side dish.

Step By Step Instructions To Make Balsamic Green Beans

balsamic greens beans with walnuts step 1 and 2

Step 1: Sauté the garlic

Heat oil in a small skillet, add garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring until the garlic is just barely showing signs of turning brown. Immediately pour into a large mixing bowl to stop cooking.

Step 2: Steam the green beans

Add 1 to 2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer attachment, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add green beans to the steamer, and cook, covered until the beans are crisp-tender.

balsamic green beans with walnuts step 3 and 4

Step 3: Transfer the green beans to the bowl

Place the green beans in the bowl with the garlic.

Step 4: Add the remaining ingredients

Add walnuts, balsamic and salt and toss to coat.

Green beans with balsamic and walnuts in a white serving bowl next to a small bowl of walnuts and a head of garlic

FAQ’s and Expert Tips

Is it better to boil or steam green beans?

Steaming green beans is better than boiling because it helps to preserve their nutrients. Boiling quickly and blanching in ice water is a great way to prepare green beans in advance. But it is easy to overcook them so shocking in the ice bath is necessary.

Why are my steamed green beans tough?

When green beans are picked past their prime they can often be fibrous and stringy, so try to find the freshest greens beans you can. Also, undercooked green beans can be tough, so make sure and cook them until they are crisp-tender.

Additional Green Bean Recipes To Try

Thanks so much for reading. If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my free weekly email newsletter where I share weeknight meal plans delivered right to your inbox. Or follow me on Instagram. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It is very appreciated. Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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close up of balsamic green beans

Balsamic Green Beans With Walnuts

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 cups 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Steamed
  • Cuisine: American

★★★★★

5 from 15 reviews
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Description

These Balsamic Green Beans with Walnuts are one of my favorite vegetable side dishes of all times! Simple, quick, elegant and delicious.

Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed (about 8 cups)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring until the garlic is just barely showing signs of turning brown, 30 to 90 seconds. Immediately pour into a large mixing bowl to stop cooking.
  2. Meanwhile, add 1 to 2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer attachment, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add green beans to steamer, and cook, covered until the beans are crisp tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer the green beans to the bowl. Add walnuts, balsamic and salt and toss to coat.

Notes

These green beans are best prepared and served immediately, though they can be reheated. For best results, reheat in the microwave, covered with parchment only until steaming hot. They may discolor due to the balsamic vinegar. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 125
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 94 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g