Your traditional green bean casserole called, and it got a massively delicious upgrade. Introducing my Brown Butter Green Beans with Toasted Pistachios and Lemony Whipped Feta – a fun, flavorful dish that’s full of fall flavors and is effortlessly chic. If you’re looking for a new way to serve up classic green beans at your Thanksgiving dinner table, this recipe is it!
Friends, what is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? While most people dream about the turkey, for me, it is all about the side dishes. I don’t know about you, but I LOVE filling up my plate with the most delicious side dishes. Whether that’s a delicious, hearty stuffing or light and fluffy mashed potatoes, I think I speak for everyone when I say that side dishes can be the best part of any Thanksgiving meal.
Which is why this year, I am so excited to share fresh, delicious takes on your favorite Thanksgiving recipes. To start things off, I’ve reimagined a classic dish – green bean casserole – into a fun, festive, and dare I say, much more chic dish. This dish was not only inspired by my love for green bean casserole, but also my most popular dish from Thanksgiving last year, my Spiced Roasted Carrots with Lemony Whipped Feta. Last year, thousands of you served this dish at your Thanksgiving dinner table, and it was so fun to see your renditions of it! If you’re looking to impress your friends and family with a dish that is sure to stand out, this one is it.
Oh, and if you’re wondering what to pair it with, I have a roundup of over 45+ of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes to help you create the ultimate, healthy, holiday meal. Whether you’re looking for the perfect Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread or the crispiest Smashed Brussels Sprouts that will add another fun veggie to your meal, I’ve got you covered with all of the BEST holiday recipes.
What You Need to Make The Ultimate Thanksgiving Side Dish
- Green Beans: Of course, you’ll need green beans in order to make this recipe! Be sure to wash the green beans thoroughly and chop the stems, so they’re perfectly clean and ready-to-go.
- Salted Pistachios: Salted pistachios add the perfect, crunchy addition to this recipe.
- Seasonings: To season this dish, you’ll need a combination of cinnamon, cumin, and everything bagel spice. Yum!
- Butter: These green beans are packed with a delicious, buttery flavor, thanks to the use of fresh butter.
- Feta Cheese: Of course, it wouldn’t be a whipped feta without the feta cheese! I recommend using a whole block of feta cheese, stored in the brine, in order to give the whipped feta the best flavor.
- Greek Yogurt: In order to make the whipped feta nice and creamy, I like using greek yogurt. Not only does it add that creamy, dairy element, but it also packs the whipped feta with protein.
- Lemon: You’ll need both the juice and zest of one lemon in order to make this recipe!
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is packed with healthy fats and adds a delicious flavor to this recipe. Don’t skip it!
- Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic, whenever possible, and this recipe is no exception. Don’t skip it!
- Pomegranate Arils: Pomegranate Arils are not only packed with Vitamin C, but are also the perfect garnish to these green beans.
How to Make These Perfect Buttery Green Beans
To make this dish, start by preparing the pistachios. Remove the shells from the pistachios and chop them finely. Add the chopped pistachios to a bowl alongside the everything bagel spice, cinnamon, and cumin, and toss until the nuts are fully coated in the seasonings.
Next, prepare the green beans. Wash the green beans thoroughly and trim the ends. Then, set them aside and bring a large pot of water to a boil, on the stove. Once the water is boiling, add in the green beans to the pot and cook them until they’re crisp-tender – this should take approximately 4 minutes. Once the green beans have finished cooking, drain the water from them. Add the beans to a bowl of ice water and allow them to cool for a few moments.
After the green beans have cooled off, drain the beans well and place them onto a towel to dry. Next, prepare the toasted pistachios. Heat a skillet, on the stove, over medium-high heat, and add in the butter. Once the butter starts to brown and turn fragrant, reduce the heat to low. Add 3/4 of the pistachio mixture to the pan, reserving 1/4 of the topping for later.
Toss the pistachios in the butter, then add in the green beans and sauté until the beans are heated through. This should take approximately 5-6 minutes. Once the beans are heated through, remove the pan from the heat and set them aside.
Next, prepare the lemony whipped feta. Add all of the ingredients (the feta cheese, greek yogurt, lemon, olive oil, and garlic) to a food processor and process until the feta is smooth, fluffy, and creamy. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes.
Finally, assemble the dish by spreading the whipped feta out evenly, across a large serving platter. Then, transfer the green beans on top of the whipped feta, alongside the remaining pistachio mixture. Garnish with pomegranate arils and lemon zest, then serve and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Equipment
- Food Processor this food processor is a staple in my home kitchen!
Ingredients
For the Green Beans:
- 1 Cup Salted Pistachios
- 2 Tablespoons Everything Bagel Spice
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 ½ Pounds Fresh Green Beans, trimmed
- ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter
For the Lemony Whipped Feta:
- 8 Ounces Feta Cheese, crumbled
- 1 Cup Greek Yogurt, I recommend using full-fat yogurt
- 1 Lemon, juiced – this is approximately 3 tablespoons
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Cloves Garlic
For Garnishing:
- ¾ Cup Pomegranate Arils
- Lemon Zest
Instructions
- To make this dish, start by preparing the pistachios. Remove the shells from the pistachios and chop them finely.
- Add the chopped pistachios to a bowl alongside the everything bagel spice, cinnamon, and cumin, and toss until the nuts are fully coated in the seasonings.
- Next, prepare the green beans. Wash the green beans thoroughly and trim the ends.
- Then, set them aside and bring a large pot of water to a boil, on the stove.
- Once the water is boiling, add in the green beans to the pot and cook them until they're crisp-tender – this should take approximately 4 minutes.
- Once the green beans have finished cooking, drain the water from them. Add the beans to a bowl of ice water and allow them to cool for a few moments.
- After the green beans have cooled off, drain the beans well and place them onto a towel to dry.
- Next, prepare the toasted pistachios. Heat a skillet, on the stove, over medium-high heat, and add in the butter.
- Once the butter starts to brown and turn fragrant, reduce the heat to low.
- Add 3/4 of the pistachio mixture to the pan, reserving 1/4 of the topping for later.
- Toss the pistachios in the butter, then add in the green beans and sauté until the beans are heated through. This should take approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Once the beans are heated through, remove the pan from the heat and set them aside.
- Next, prepare the lemony whipped feta. Add all of the ingredients (the feta cheese, greek yogurt, lemon, olive oil, and garlic) to a food processor and process until the feta is smooth, fluffy, and creamy. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Finally, assemble the dish by spreading the whipped feta out evenly, across a large serving platter.
- Then, transfer the green beans on top of the whipped feta, alongside the remaining pistachio mixture.
- Garnish with pomegranate arils and lemon zest, then serve and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
I cannot print this recipe either. When you click on print it takes you to a different site.
Delicious and easy to make! This is a hit with family and guests …and looks so festive !
I am so happy to hear that, Carol! Thank you so much for making this recipe!
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was amazing! The pistachios were a wonderful flavor enhancement.
Trying to make this again for Christmas but the print button is not functioning for some reason.
I am so happy that you enjoyed it, Tim! Thank you for your review!
this recipe was absolutely delicious! From start to finish, even though I didn’t follow the directions because I didn’t read them well before. I started browning the butter,dumped in the seasonings and the nuts right away, and it still turned out great. Do not skip the pomegranate aerials or the fresh lemon zest on top…so great. I even used vegan feta cheese because that’s all I had on hand. These are great with the green beans warm and it’s even great at room temperature and cold from the fridge. Don’t skip this recipe.
I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Maureen! Thank you so much for making it and for leaving such a kind review!
The perfect way to spice up Thanksgiving this year!! SO much flavor and something different with real & fresh ingredients!!
Amazing!! I always hoard recipes on instagram but make only a few. I’m so glad I did this one. It’s so tasty and easy to make. You will 100% get compliments if you serve this. I also think her whipped feta can be used with so many other veggies. I have done carrots and butternut squash too since I always have leftover whipped feta. This is now in my rotation and will keep making it.
I made this for NYE paired with some filets and it did not disappoint. The green beans were cooked to perfection and I loved the whipped feta paired with the tangy pomegranate arils and the lemon zest. The presentation makes this the perfect wow side dish for any occasion.
I substituted Asparagus browned in butter and served it with halibut browned in butter and topped with everything bagel spice. Just for me because I enjoy cooking
That sounds delicious! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this recipe!