French Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
These gluten free French Green Beans with Caramelized Onions combine bright, crisp spring beans with sweet and creamy slow cooked onions. The caramelized onions are seasoned with garlic, creme fraiche, dijon mustard, lemon and fresh tarragon. At first glance, it will make you think it is a deconstructed Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole, but one bite will show you that there’s no need to wait for a holiday to enjoy this side dish! I have topped it with Crispy Mushrooms and breadcrumbs; both were fantastic.
Start with the Onions
The onions take a bit of time and patience, but are well worth it. Try to slice the onions as evenly as possible to keep them cooking at the same speed. Heat a medium frying pan with olive oil and cook the onions on a medium high heat until they begin to soften. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Stir from time to time and if they start to brown, turn the heat down to medium. Continue to stir from time to time if the pan is looking dry, add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth.
Add in the wine, lemon juice and garlic when the onions are lightly browned and translucent. Turn the heat down even more if the onions are sticking or frying instead of caramelizing. Add more broth if they need to cook more and the pan becomes dry. After about 45 minutes of cooking, add in the creme fraiche and dijon mustard. Let it heat through and stir in the tarragon when you are ready to serve.
Note: If you can’t find creme fraiche, you can use sour cream.
Quick & Easy Green Beans
Fill a large pot with water and stir in the tablespoon of salt. That might seem like a lot of salt, but remember, you are not going to drink the water. The salted water will season the green beans and help to retain their color during the brief cooking process. Then the salty water will go down the drain.
Once the salted water comes to a boil, carefully drop the green beans into the pot. Allow them to cook for 2-3 minutes then quickly drain the water and pour the beans into a serving dish.
Garnish the French Green Beans with Caramelized Onions & Dig In
Top the green beans with the Caramelized Onion mixture and sprinkle with toasted fresh breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese or Crispy Mushrooms if you’d like. Then dig in and enjoy!
More Gluten Free Sides
- Harissa Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts
- Sweet Thyme Carrots
- Roasted Broccoli
- Rainbow Veggie Gratin
- Roasted Gourmet Potatoes
- Roasted Veggie Pasta Salad
- Winter Rice Medley
French Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
French Green Beans:
- 16 oz French green beans (rinsed and stems trimmed)
- 1 tbsp fine sea salt
Caramelized Onions:
- 1 large sweet onion (trimmed, quartered and thinly sliced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth (*more if needed)
- 1 tbsp white wine
- splash lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp creme fraiche
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh tarragon (finely chopped)
- fresh bread crumbs, parmesan cheese or Crispy Mushrooms (see note) (*optional toppings)
Instructions
- Begin with the onions because they will take about 45-50 minutes to cook. They are well worth the time!
- Heat a medium frying pan with olive oil and cook the onions on a medium high heat until they begin to soften (about 5-10 minutes). Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and turn the heat down to medium (do this sooner if the onions are browning). If the pan is looking dry or the onions are sticking, add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth.
- After 30 to 35 minutes, add in the wine, lemon juice and garlic when the onions are lightly browned and translucent. Turn the heat down even more if the onions are sticking or frying instead of caramelizing. Add more broth if they need to cook more and the pan becomes dry.
- After about 45 minutes of cooking, add in the creme fraiche and dijon mustard. Let it heat through and stir in the tarragon when you are ready to serve.
- Heat a large stock pot with water and salt to a boil. Add the green beans and allow them to cook for 2-3 minutes. Drain the water and place the beans in a serving dish. Pour the caramelized onion mixture on top of the green beans, garnish with toast fresh breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese or crispy mushrooms.
