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Brown sugar green beans topped with walnuts.
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5 from 12 votes

Brown Sugar Green Beans (No Bacon)

These vegan brown sugar green beans are sweet, savory, and bacon-free, with a buttery garlic and Dijon glaze and candied walnuts. Ready in about 20 minutes!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 6
Calories: 251kcal
Author: Toni

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds green beans ends trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ¾ cup walnuts chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water, set a steamer basket inside, and bring the water to a simmer. Add the green beans, cover, and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until tender-crisp.
  • Meanwhile, melt the vegan butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about 45 seconds, until fragrant.
    Minced garlic sizzling in melted vegan butter in a pan.
  • Stir in the brown sugar and Dijon mustard and keep stirring until the sugar melts into a smooth sauce.
    A spoonful of Dijon mustard on top of the brown sugar mixture in the pan, next to a spatula.
  • Add the walnuts and stir to coat them in the sauce.
    Chopped walnuts being added from a bowl to the glossy brown sugar sauce.
  • Add the steamed green beans and toss until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    Green beans tossed with brown sugar sauce and walnuts in a gray pan.
  • Serve hot.

Video

Notes

  • Steam the green beans for less time for crisp-tender beans, or a little longer for softer beans.
  • Leave the green beans whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces.
  • Adjust the brown sugar to taste. A sugar substitute will change the sweetness, and the sauce won’t thicken quite the same way.
  • For more caramelized green beans, cook them in the glaze over low heat for a few extra minutes, stirring often.
  • You can boil the green beans instead of steaming them. Drain them well before adding them to the sauce.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Make ahead: these can be made up to a day ahead. Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 1146IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg