Looking for a festive, flavorful side dish to impress your guests this Thanksgiving? Look no further than these Brown Butter Green Beans with Toasted Pistachios and Lemony Whipped Feta! The green beans are cooked in nutty brown butter and tossed with crushed pistachios, cinnamon, cumin, and everything bagel seasoning, creating an irresistible, savory flavor. The whipped feta, made with fresh lemon and garlic, adds a creamy, tangy base, while the pomegranate arils bring a refreshing burst of color and flavor. This dish will definitely steal the spotlight on your holiday table!

Method

To begin, prepare the pistachios by chopping them into small pieces and placing them in a bowl. Mix in the Everything Bagel Spice, cinnamon, and cumin. This combination of flavors will elevate the green beans, giving them a perfect balance of spice and texture when sautéed.

Next, blanch the green beans. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the trimmed green beans. Let them cook for about 4 minutes, ensuring they are crisp-tender. Once they’ve reached the right texture, drain the green beans and quickly transfer them to a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process. After a few minutes, drain the beans thoroughly and gently pat them dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.

Then, make the brown butter. In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue to cook the butter until it turns a golden-brown color and releases a nutty aroma. This is when it becomes “brown butter.” Lower the heat to low and add about 3/4 of the pistachio mixture, saving the rest for garnishing the finished dish. Stir everything together to coat the pistachios in the nutty butter.

Now, sauté the green beans. Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with the brown butter and pistachios. Sauté for about 5 to 6 minutes, ensuring the beans are heated through and coated with the flavorful butter and spice mixture. Once the beans are well-coated and tender, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.

In the meantime, make the lemony whipped feta. In a food processor, combine the crumbled feta cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. Process everything for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This whipped feta will form the tangy and creamy base for the green beans.To assemble the dish, spread the lemony whipped feta evenly on the bottom of a serving platter. Then, top it with the sautéed green beans, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Sprinkle the remaining pistachio mixture over the beans for extra flavor and crunch. Finally, garnish with pomegranate arils and lemon zest, which will add a burst of color and freshness, making the dish as beautiful as it is delicious.

Necessary Tools

Large pot for boiling water
Large skillet for sautéing
Food processor for whipped feta
Bowl of ice water for cooling green beans
Serving platter

Brown Butter Green Beans with Toasted Pistachios and Lemony Whipped Feta

Recipe by Troy Jorge

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

For the Green Beans:
1 cup salted pistachios, chopped
2 tbsp Everything Bagel Spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cumin
1 1/2 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed
1/4 cup unsalted butter
For the Lemony Whipped Feta:
8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup Greek yogurt (full fat recommended)
1 lemon, juiced (~about 3 tbsp)
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
For Garnish
3/4 cup pomegranate arils
Lemon zest

Directions

Prepare the Pistachios:
Start by chopping the salted pistachios and placing them in a bowl. Mix in the Everything Bagel Spice, cinnamon, and cumin. This flavorful mixture will add depth and texture to the green beans later.
Blanch the Green Beans:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for about 4 minutes until they are crisp-tender. Drain the beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain them well and pat them dry with a towel.
Make the Brown Butter:
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to cook until it darkens and gives off a fragrant nutty aroma, which is when it’s considered “brown butter.” Lower the heat to low, then add 3/4 of the pistachio mixture (save 1/4 for garnish later). Toss the mixture together.
Sauté the Green Beans:
Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with the brown butter and pistachios. Sauté the beans for 5 to 6 minutes, ensuring they’re heated through and coated in the buttery, spiced mixture. Once they’re cooked, remove them from the heat and set aside.
Make the Lemony Whipped Feta:
In a food processor, combine the feta cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. Process everything for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and creamy. The whipped feta will be the perfect creamy base for the green beans.
Assemble the Dish:
Spread the lemony whipped feta evenly on the bottom of a serving platter. Then, top it with the sautéed green beans and the remaining pistachio mixture. Garnish with pomegranate arils and a sprinkle of lemon zest for a colorful, festive touch.

Notes

Blanching Green Beans: Be careful not to overcook the green beans. They should remain crisp-tender, so only cook them for about 4 minutes. Overcooking will make them mushy.
Brown Butter: When making the brown butter, keep a close eye on it. It can burn quickly, so be sure to lower the heat once it turns golden brown.
Pistachio Mixture: Don’t forget to reserve 1/4 of the pistachio mixture for garnishing. This ensures the green beans stay coated with the flavorful seasoning, and you get a bit of crunch on top as well.

Serving Suggestions

This dish makes an amazing side for Thanksgiving, but it’s also perfect for any holiday meal or special occasion. Pair it with roasted turkey, baked ham, or even as part of a vegetarian spread. The pomegranate arils add a pop of color and freshness, making it a beautiful addition to your table. If you want to serve it as a main dish, it also works great with a side of mashed potatoes or a light salad.

Fun Fact

Did you know that pistachios are one of the healthiest nuts? They are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, making them a great addition to any dish. Plus, they give this green bean recipe an extra crunch and a unique flavor!

Conclusion

These Brown Butter Green Beans with Toasted Pistachios and Lemony Whipped Feta are a perfect combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors that will be a hit at your next holiday meal. With the nutty brown butter, spiced pistachios, creamy feta, and the refreshing pop of pomegranate, this dish is an unforgettable addition to your Thanksgiving table—or any time you want to impress your guests. Enjoy!