Change up your green bean routine with this simple but punchy method for blackening classic to Cajun cuisine. This can be done entirely in the oven with just 4 ingredients. A little bit of sugar paired with some spice makes these blackened green beans really nice!
Serve these green beans alongside a blackened tuna steak, fresh crabmeat main dishes, or an oven baked trout with fennel and fresh lemon salsa.
Ingredients
You'll need just 4 ingredients to make this easy but entertaining green bean recipe.
- Cajun seasoning - Made of cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and other dried herbs, you can make this from scratch or use a store bought jar, which I did.
- Sugar - This is not typically used in blackening seasonings, but I like how it offsets the spiciness of the Cajun seasoning and just gives the beans a more rounded flavor. with a hint of sweetness.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This recipe is especially easy because the green beans are blackened in the oven rather then sauteed in a skillet or steamed.
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. You can toss all the ingredients together right on the sheet pan, so you don't have an extra mixing bowl to clean.
- Step 2: Spread out the green beans to a single layer on a sheet pan, so they have room to blister and blacken.
- Step 3: Bake on the upper third of the oven for 6 minutes. Then turn the oven to the broil setting for 2-4 minutes.
- Step 4: The green beans will blacken depending on how long you leave them in the broiler. Take care not to turn them completely black.
Hint: These can be served, hot, at room temperature, or even cold. Because they have so much flavor in the seasoning, they are anything but bland, no matter the temperature.
Helpful Tips
- The green beans should be washed and dried, so they blister and don't steam from residual water left on the beans after washing.
- Line the sheet pan parchment paper for easier clean up.
- Omit or reduce the sugar, if you prefer. The sugar makes the green beans a little bit sweet and counters the spiciness of the Cajun seasoning.
- For a richer variation, substitute melted butter for the oil. The butter will brown a bit in the oven, giving an extra toasty flavor.
Green Bean Fun Facts
- Green beans with strings that need to be pulled off are not found so much in grocery stores anymore.
- Blue lake beans are a stringless varietal of beans developed in the early 1900s in the Blue Lake District near Ukiah, CA. They are prized for their tenderness and crunch.
- The main rival to Blue Lake beans is the varietal known as haricot vert. Those are much thinner, shorter, and slightly more delicate. They also cost more.
More Side Dishes
Looking for other side dishes recipes? Try these:
Recipe
Blistered & Blackened Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans
- 2 Tb oil such as coconut, avocado, or olive oil
- 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Set up a rack in the upper third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Trim off the stem ends of the green beans.
- Place onto a baking sheet. Toss with the oil, Cajun seasoning, and sugar.
- Roast for 6 minutes. Then turn the oven to the Broil setting. Broil for 2-4 minutes until the green beans start to blacken.
- Serve hot, room temperature, or cold. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
- The green beans should be washed and dried, so they blister and don't steam from residual water left on the beans after washing.
- Line the sheet pan parchment paper for easier clean up.
- Omit or reduce the sugar, if you prefer. The sugar makes the green beans a little bit sweet and counters the spiciness of the Cajun seasoning.
- For a richer variation, substitute melted butter for the oil. The butter will brown a bit in the oven, giving an extra toasty flavor.
Nutrition
Fortune Cookie 🥠
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forrest haskell says
you mention 2 teaspoons of soy sauce in the ingredient list, yet no mention in the cooking instructions. I imagine you add it after you return the beans to the pan. Is that correct?
asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says
Hi Forrest! Yes you are exactly right! Add the soy sauce after adding the green beans back to the pan. I've updated the recipe card. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and for your interest in this recipe. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂