Charred Green Beans on Platter

Perfect for summer evenings, these charred green beans have an irresistible smokey and vibrant flavor that make for a quick and delicious side dish.

This recipe is ideal for those of us who love the flavor of roasted vegetables, but want to avoid turning on the oven in the summer months.

They make an ideal potluck or barbecue dish, as they can easily be made ahead. I find that they are equally delicious served warm or at room temperature, and are even great slightly chilled from the fridge too.

Charred Green Beans with Cilantro Vinaigrette

Why You’ll Love These Charred Green Beans

  • Quick: Prepared in less than 15 minutes from start to finish, this dish delivers big flavor with little effort.
  • Great for Sharing: An ideal side for a summer potluck or cook out, these flavorful green beans will win over even the pickiest of eaters.
  • Flavor: The smokey char combined with the zesty, herbaceous vinaigrette tastes like summer.
  • Seasonal: Green beans are one of my go-to summer vegetables since they are abundantly accessible at local farmers markets or grocery stores.
  • Versatile: Served hot, at room temperature, or cold straight from the fridge – there’s no wrong way to enjoy these green beans.

Tips for Success:

  • If your grill grates are spaced apart by more than ½-inch, I recommend setting a high-quality metal rack – without a non-stick coating – over them to ensure the beans do not fall through during cooking. This is an easy method for cooking smaller or chopped vegetables on an outdoor grill! Alternatively, you can use a metal grill basket.
  • If you are preparing this dish with a grill pan on an indoor stovetop, turn on your kitchen exhaust fan as it can get smoky.
Charred Green Bean Ingredients

An outdoor grill allows you to throw this dish together in less than 15 minutes! The goal is to char and blacken the green beans, achieving that signature smokey, char-grilled flavor. It makes these beans irresistible!

If you don’t have a grill, you can achieve a similar effect by using a grill pan or roasting the green beans (spread evenly on a half sheet pan) in the oven at a high temperature.

How to Grill Green Beans:

Step One: Prepare the cilantro vinaigrette in a small capacity food processor and set aside.

Step Two: In a mixing bowl, toss the trimmed green beans lightly with olive oil and season with salt. Preheat an outdoor grill to high heat.

Green Beans Tossed with Olive oil in Bowl

Step Three: Distribute the green beans over the hot grill, perpendicular to the grates or on top of the preheated metal rack. Cook the beans for roughly 3 to 4 minutes, tossing with tongs every few minutes, or until evenly charred and beginning to soften. Transfer to a large platter.

Step Four: Spoon the cilantro lime vinaigrette over the charred green beans, tossing lightly if desired. Before serving, sprinkle with flaky salt.

Grilled Green Beans

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette:

Once grilled, the green beans are tossed with a simple, vibrant vinaigrette made with freshly squeezed lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, fresh cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper. It is similar to the dressing in one of my all-time favorite Guacamole Greens salad.

While the dressing can be prepared in advance, the herbs will oxidize and lose some of their color as it sits. If prepping ahead, be sure to shake it well just using.

Cilantro Vinaigrette

How to Serve These Charred Green Beans:

Charred green beans make a fantastic accompaniment to grilled marinated chicken, beef, seafood, and vegetarian mains, or even our favorite black bean bowls. This southwest quinoa salad would be another great pairing too.

Looking for a more traditional green bean recipe? Try green beans almondine!

Charred Green Beans with Cilantro Vinaigrette
Charred Green Beans on Platter

Charred Green Beans with Cilantro Vinaigrette

4.5 stars (23 ratings)
These irresistible Charred Green Beans can be prepared in less than 15 minutes, require only a handful of ingredients, and can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold from the fridge. Once cooked (or roasted over a high heat), the grilled green beans are toss with a homemade cilantro vinaigrette. Serve this vibrant summer side dish with grilled meat, seafood, or vegetarian dishes!
Important Equipment Note: If your grill grates are spaced apart by more than ½-inch, I recommend setting a metal rack – without a non-stick coating – over them to ensure the beans do not fall through during cooking. A grill basket is another option. Alternatively, you can char the green beans in batches on a piping hot grill pan on the stovetop or roast them at a high temperature. If grilling inside, be sure to turn on your kitchen exhaust fan.

Ingredients

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) fresh lime juice
  • ¼ cup packed cilantro leaves plus more for garnishing
  • 1 small garlic clove finely grated with a microplane
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Charred Green Beans:

  • 1 lb (16 oz) fresh green beans trimmed
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • flaky salt such as Maldon, for finishing

Instructions 

  • Prepare Vinaigrette: Combine the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, grated garlic, salt and pepper in a small capacity food processor bowl. Puree or pulse the ingredients together until well emulsified and the cilantro is finely chopped in texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice as needed. Set aside while you prepare the green beans. Stir just before using.
    Cilantro Vinaigrette
  • Prepare the Green Beans: In a mixing bowl, toss the trimmed green beans lightly with olive oil, roughly 1 tablespoon or so, and season with salt. Preheat an outdoor grill to high heat. Important Note: If your grates are spaced apart by more than ½-inch, I recommend setting a metal rackwithout a non-stick coating – over the grates to ensure the beans do not fall through during cooking. Alternatively, you can char the green beans in batches on a piping hot grill pan inside on the stovetop. If grilling inside, be sure to turn on your kitchen exhaust fan as it will get smoky.
    Green Beans Tossed with Olive oil
  • Distribute the green beans over the hot grill, perpendicular to the grates or on top of the metal rack. Depending on the size of your grill, you may need to cook the beans in batches to avoid over-crowding. Cook the beans for roughly 3 to 4 minutes, tossing with tongs every few minutes, until evenly charred and beginning to soften. Transfer to a large platter.
  • Serve: Spoon the cilantro lime vinaigrette over the charred green beans, tossing lightly if desired. Before serving, sprinkle the beans with flaky salt. Serve hot, at room temperature, or cold from the fridge.
    Charred Green beans

Tips for Success: 

  • If you don’t have a grill, you can achieve a similar effect by using a grill pan or roasting the green beans (spread evenly on a half sheet pan) in the oven at a high (450°F) temperature.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Sodium: 306mg, Potassium: 512mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 1707IU, Vitamin C: 33mg, Calcium: 90mg, Iron: 2mg