Brown Sugar Green Beans (No Bacon)

These brown sugar green beans are sweet, savory, and completely bacon-free! Crisp-tender green beans get tossed in a buttery garlic, brown sugar, and Dijon glaze with crunchy candied walnuts, and the whole thing is ready in about 20 minutes. They're a must on my Thanksgiving table next to vegan candied yams with marshmallows and dairy-free green bean casserole.

What Makes These Brown Sugar Green Beans So Good

Brown sugar green beans (also called sweet green beans) are a Southern-inspired side that usually leans on bacon for its savory side. This vegan version gets all that sweet and savory flavor from vegan butter, garlic, and Dijon mustard instead, and the walnuts candy right in the glaze for a little crunch.

• Just 7 simple ingredients, including salt and pepper.
• Ready in about 20 minutes on the stovetop.
• Sweet, garlicky, and tangy, with crunchy candied walnuts in every bite.
• Easy to make a day ahead, so it's one less thing to do on the big day.
• A crowd-pleasing side for Thanksgiving, Christmas, potlucks, or any family dinner.

Serve them alongside vegan stuffing and garlic herb oven roasted vegetables for a full holiday spread.

Brown Sugar Green Beans Ingredients

You'll find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.

• Green beans: Fresh green beans with the ends trimmed.
• Vegan butter: For a rich, buttery glaze. I like Earth Balance.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds savory flavor.
• Brown sugar: Melts into a glossy, caramel-like sauce.
• Dijon mustard: Adds tang and savory depth to balance the sweetness. I use Great Value Dijon.
• Walnuts: Chopped walnuts candy in the sauce for crunch.
• Salt and pepper: To taste.

You could also use a brown sugar alternative. The sweetness may vary, so adjust to taste, and the sauce won't thicken quite the same way regular brown sugar does.

How to Make Brown Sugar Green Beans

First, rinse the green beans and trim the ends. Fill a pot with 1 inch of water, set a steamer basket inside, and bring it to a simmer. Add the green beans, cover, and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until tender-crisp. While they steam, make the sauce.

Step 1: Melt the butter. In a large pan over medium heat, melt the vegan butter.

Step 2: Sauté the garlic. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 45 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 3: Add the brown sugar. Pour in the brown sugar and stir it into the garlic butter.

Step 4: Stir in the Dijon. Add the Dijon mustard and keep stirring until the sugar melts into a smooth, glossy sauce.

Step 5: Add the walnuts. Stir in the chopped walnuts so they're coated in the sauce.

Step 6: Toss with the green beans. Add the steamed green beans and toss until they're evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot!

Prefer to boil the green beans? Boil them for about the same amount of time, until they're tender-crisp, then drain well before adding them to the sauce.

Watch How to Make It

Toni's Recipe Tips

• Adjust the texture: Steam the beans for less time for crisp-tender green beans, or a few minutes longer for softer ones.
• Leave them whole or cut them: Keep the green beans whole for a pretty platter, or cut them into bite-sized pieces.
• Adjust the sweetness: Use a little more or less brown sugar to taste. If you use a sugar substitute, the sweetness will change, so taste as you go.
• For more caramelized green beans: Let the green beans cook in the glaze over low heat for a few extra minutes, stirring often, until the sauce clings and darkens.

What to Serve With Brown Sugar Green Beans

• For Thanksgiving: Vegan stuffing, Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes with vegan mushroom gravy, and vegan scalloped potatoes.
• As a main course pairing: Beyond Meat meatloaf or vegan chicken pot pie casserole.
• With more holiday sides: Maple glazed Brussels sprouts, easy cranberry pear sauce, and fluffy vegan dinner rolls.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make ahead: You can make these up to a day ahead. Let them cool, store them covered in the fridge, then reheat them in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave just before serving.

Store: Let the green beans cool, then keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: I haven't tried freezing these. Some cooks freeze leftover brown sugar green beans for up to 3 months, while others skip it because the beans get soft after thawing. If you try it, cool them completely, freeze them in an airtight container, and expect softer beans and less crunchy walnuts.

Reheat: Warm leftovers in the microwave in 20 to 30 second bursts, or in a skillet over low heat.

Brown Sugar Green Beans FAQs

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