These Balsamic Glazed Green Beans with Cranberries and Almonds is a simple, healthy side dish. This Balsamic Glazed Green Bean has a wonderful combination of flavors, crisp green beans, crunchy almonds and tart cranberries. The best part is this will be ready in 15 minutes!
These delicious Balsamic Glazed Green Beans make the perfect side dish for any meal, whether it's a holiday or a busy weeknight dinner. Since they take no time to make, I always make them when I entertain.
I love the sliced almonds and dried cranberries in here too. The sliced almonds give some added texture and crunch and the cranberries add a little tart and sweetness to the dish.
I've had that green bean casserole with the canned mushroom soup and I think people really like it? I don't love creamy stuff like that.
But I love these green beans!
Hav you tried my Green Bean Quinoa Casserole yet? It's made with fresh green beans, no canned cream soups and best of all, QUINOA!
This dish is simple and healthy and can be ready in 15 minutes. It's a perfect, quick dish for the craziness and chaos of the holidays.
This side dish is a perfect combination with Sweet Potato Casserole, Mushroom Cauliflower Rice Risotto or Balsamic Roasted Vegetables!
Why You Should Make These Balsamic Glazed Green Beans with Cranberries and Almonds
These green beans contain the perfect balance of slightly sweet and crunchy. I promise everyone loves them.
This isn't one of those holiday side dishes that you can prepare the day before but you don't need to since it only takes 15 minutes from start to finish.
Now that I follow a sugar free, low carb diet, I am extra careful about the dried cranberries I buy at the store. it's not easy to find ones that don't contain dded sugars.
I usually buy these dried cranberries which have no added sugars, but they can be quite pricey. I love this recipe from All Day I Dream About Food where Carolyn shows us how to make our own dried cranberries at home with no added sugars!
Read your ingredient labels because the sugar sweetened dried cranberries can have up to 25 grams of sugar for a serving. Save that for the cookies, cakes and pies, am I right?
If you want to cut back on the sugar in this dish you can add a little sugar free sweetener, like liquid stevia or monk fruit for a substitute for the honey (or maple syrup). You only need a small amount for this dish.
Or you can leave it out entirely, it's up to you and your taste preference.
Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips
You can place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just be careful when you reheat, they will stay crispy if you reheat in the oven and not the microwave. Place them in a casserole baking dish at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
To be honest, these go with just about everything! These green beans are delicious with turkey, Balsamic Chicken, Ginger Teriyaki Filet, ham... you name it. The flavors in this side dish are extremely versatile.
I haven't tried frozen green beans in here and I would guess that they taste much better with fresh green beans. In this dish they are crispy and crunchy but I am afraid that they would be mushy if you use frozen.
Related Recipes
Easy Cornbread Stuffing from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gratin from All Day I Dream About Food
Gluten Free Low Carb Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Healthy Mashed Cauliflower from Eating Bird Food
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Balsamic Glazed Green Beans with Cranberries and Almonds
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey I used raw honey, but you can use 100% maple syrup if you'd like it to be vegan
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 ounces green beans ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together balsamic vinegar and honey. Set aside.
- Place garlic and oil in large skillet and cook under medium heat for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add green beans and stir. Cook for about 10 minutes until green beans are still bright green and crispy.
- Add balsamic mixture, almonds and cranberries and mix again. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Toni
This is really good! My family loved it and wants me to make it again!
Leigh Mugford
We made it for Christmas dinner with the PC frozen ultra thin green beans and it was great not mushy at all.
Lauren Kelly
That's so great to know, I haven't made these with frozen green beans yet!
Andrea Thueson
These green beans were money! My family loved them.
Lisalia
A delicious and healthy variation on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. LOVED the addition of cranberries. The perfect depth of flavor!
Lisalia
This was delicious along side our Easter Dinner! YUMMY. Green beans go along well with EVERY meal! Thanks for this easy to make and super-healthy meal. The family loved it.
Anna
My family is not usually into green beans but this dish has won them over! It's so delicious!
Beth
This is the perfect side dish for our Easter dinner! Definitely making this tonight! Going to be a hit!
Mandy
For better or worse I try out new recipes when having guests over for dinner. I made this recipe for the first time this past Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Thank you!
lauren.kelly
Wow, that is risky, Mandy! 😉 I am SO glad you liked it! I make it almost weekly!!
McBuie
Hi! This looks delicious, but don't the dried cranberries contain added sugar? I have yet to find any without. Do you know of a brand?
lauren.kelly
I bought mine from amazon, and yes they are hard to find! These are what I have bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007A2LQRM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007A2LQRM&linkCode=as2&tag=laurkellnutr-20
I hope that helps! 🙂