Are you searching for a simple yet profoundly flavorful side dish to elevate your everyday meals or impress guests at a holiday gathering? Look no further than these Skillet Green Beans with Onions and Mushrooms. This delightful dish masterfully combines the fresh, crisp texture of green beans with the rich, umami depth of caramelized onions, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic garlic.

While classic green beans simply prepared with a touch of butter and salt are always a comfort, this recipe takes the humble green bean to an entirely new level. It’s designed to be not just incredibly easy to make, but also to deliver a powerhouse of nutrients and an explosion of savory flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can transform everyday ingredients into something truly special.

These skillet green beans are an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you need a quick and healthy vegetable side. However, their elegant presentation and complex flavors also make them a spectacular and vibrant addition to any holiday dinner table. If you’re looking for other fantastic clean-eating sides, consider trying Roasted Cauliflower Steaks, a refreshing Apple Arugula Salad, savory Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes, or crispy Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese.

Why You’ll Love This Skillet Green Bean Recipe

• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The magic truly happens with the slow caramelization of onions, which brings out their natural sweetness, perfectly complementing the earthy mushrooms and fresh green beans.
• Quick & Easy: Despite its gourmet taste, this dish is surprisingly simple and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect last-minute side.
• Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with vegetables, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and suitable for a paleo and Whole30 diet, aligning with a clean eating lifestyle.
• Versatile Side Dish: It pairs beautifully with a wide range of main courses, from simple weeknight proteins to elaborate holiday feasts.
• Nutrient-Rich: Green beans, mushrooms, and onions are all fantastic sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, contributing to a well-balanced meal.
• Minimal Cleanup: Cooked primarily in two skillets, cleanup is straightforward, allowing you more time to enjoy your delicious meal.

Essential Ingredients for this Flavorful Dish

You’ll find a complete list of ingredients and precise measurements in the recipe card further down this page. Here are a few specific notes to help you select the best ingredients for this recipe:

• Green Beans: Fresh, vibrant green beans are key here. Look for firm, bright green beans without blemishes. They should snap easily when bent. Two 12-ounce packages are ideal for this recipe, ensuring a generous serving.
• Mushrooms: Cremini (baby bella) or common button mushrooms are readily available and work perfectly. Their earthy flavor adds a wonderful depth to the dish. Feel free to slice them to your preferred thickness.
• Sweet Onion: Most yellow onion varieties tend to be on the sweeter side and caramelize beautifully. A medium-sized yellow onion, thinly sliced, will provide that essential sweet and savory base.
• Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is indispensable for its pungent aroma and flavor. Avoid garlic powder if possible; fresh truly makes a difference.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) or Avocado Oil: Both are excellent choices for sautéing. EVOO adds a subtle fruity note, while avocado oil has a higher smoke point and a more neutral flavor. Choose what you have on hand.
• Coconut Sugar: A touch of coconut sugar helps enhance the natural sweetness of the onions and aids in their caramelization, giving them that beautiful golden-brown hue. Brown sugar can be used as a substitute if preferred.
• Vegetable Broth: This is used to simmer the green beans, ensuring they become tender and absorb additional flavor.
• Sliced Almonds: Toasted sliced almonds provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that contrasts wonderfully with the tender vegetables. Don’t skip the toasting step for maximum impact!
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste and bringing all the flavors together.

Clean Food Tips for Mindful Cooking:
– For green beans, since they are often found on the Dirty Dozen list, I highly recommend opting for organic green beans if your budget allows. This minimizes pesticide exposure.
– When selecting vegetable broth, choose an organic variety. Always make sure to read the ingredient label carefully, looking for options without added sugars, artificial flavors, or refined oils, to keep your dish as clean as possible.
– Almonds are known to be treated with significant amounts of pesticides and herbicides during conventional farming. While organic sliced almonds can sometimes be hard to find, they are the best choice for a cleaner ingredient list. I recognize they might not always be accessible, but it’s a helpful tip for those prioritizing organic ingredients.

How To Prepare Skillet Green Beans with Mushrooms and Onions

Preparing this dish is straightforward and enjoyable. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked side:

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions. In a small to medium-sized skillet (cast iron works beautifully here for even heating), heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced sweet onions and sauté them patiently. This step is crucial for developing deep flavor, so allow them to cook for about 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until they are wonderfully soft and achieve a beautiful golden-brown caramelization. Stir in ½ teaspoon of coconut sugar during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to enhance their sweetness and color. Once done, remove from heat and set them aside. These will be added back in later.

Step 2: Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic. While the onions are caramelizing, you can start on the other components. In a separate, large skillet (again, cast iron is excellent), drizzle a little extra olive or avocado oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and minced fresh garlic. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender, have released their moisture, and are nicely browned. Browning adds a fantastic depth of flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Green Beans. To the large skillet with the sautéed mushrooms, add the green beans and ½ cup of vegetable broth. Bring the broth to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let the green beans simmer for 7-10 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispness; for slightly softer beans, you may extend the simmering time by a couple of minutes.

Step 4: Toast the Almonds. While the green beans are simmering, prepare the toasted almonds. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the ¼ cup of sliced almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 7-8 minutes, making sure to stir them halfway through to ensure even toasting. Keep a close eye on them, as almonds can burn quickly. Alternatively, for a stovetop method, place the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until they are fragrant and golden brown. Remove immediately from heat once toasted.

Step 5: Combine and Serve. Once the green beans are cooked to your liking, add the reserved caramelized onions to the skillet with the beans and mushrooms. Stir gently to combine all the delicious flavors. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Finally, sprinkle the warm, toasted sliced almonds over the top right before serving. This ensures they remain perfectly crisp.

Step 6: Enjoy! Serve these delectable skillet green beans directly from the skillet for a rustic touch, or transfer them to a beautiful serving dish. They are best enjoyed warm.

What to Serve with These Flavorful Skillet Green Beans

These versatile skillet green beans are a fantastic accompaniment to a wide variety of meals:

• Hearty Mains: They make a healthy and nutritious side dish with Cast Iron Lasagna or a comforting Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
• Lean Proteins: Serve them alongside Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers, grilled chicken, baked salmon, or a perfectly seared steak for a balanced and complete protein + veggie meal.
• Holiday Feasts: These green beans are a lovely and vibrant addition to any holiday table, brightening up your spread for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any special occasion.
• Vegetarian Options: They pair wonderfully with grain-based dishes like quinoa or rice pilaf, or alongside plant-based meat alternatives for a wholesome vegetarian dinner.
• Simple Weeknight Meals: For a super easy and healthy dinner, simply pair them with any quickly cooked protein like pan-fried chicken breast or a baked sweet potato.

Storing & Making Ahead for Convenience

Planning ahead or managing leftovers is easy with this recipe:

Storing Leftovers: Any leftover skillet green beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Please note that if stored with the toasted almonds, the almonds will likely lose their crispness and become soggy. For best results, store the almonds separately and add them fresh upon reheating.

Making Ahead: If you’re preparing this dish in advance of mealtime, particularly for a large holiday dinner, you can follow all the cooking directions as written. However, make sure to hold off on adding the toasted almonds until the very last minute. Keep the cooked green beans, onions, and mushrooms in a covered skillet over very low heat to keep them warm until you’re ready to serve. Just before serving, give them a quick stir, and then sprinkle with the freshly toasted almonds for that essential crunch.

Reheating: Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, or microwave briefly. If the beans seem a little dry, you can add a tablespoon or two of vegetable broth or water to rehydrate them. Remember to add freshly toasted almonds if you have them!