Heart Healthy Green Beans with Shallots

(5.0)
By Judy Capodanno
Updated 11/3/2025
Dietitian Reviewed: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
Approved for These Diets:
Heart Healthy | Diabetic | Vegetarian
Heart Healthy Green Beans with Shallots
Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer

Skillet-cooked green beans are balanced with crispy broiled shallots in this no-fuss side dish. You will love this simply seasoned vegetable recipe that pairs with just about anything. It's a versatile side that's easy to customize with your favorite flavors. For more quick and delicious veggie inspiration, check out all our healthy vegetable recipes.

Total Time
30 minutes
Servings
8
Calories
75

What Makes These Heart Healthy Green Beans with Shallots Healthy

This recipe is an excellent heart-healthy choice as it uses heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil and contains only 56mg of sodium per serving. The combination of fiber from green beans and antioxidants from the shallots makes it a nutritious, flavorful side dish that supports a heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly eating plan.

Key Health Highlights

  • Extremely Low Sodium: With only 56mg of sodium per serving, this dish is ideal for those monitoring their blood pressure.
  • Supports Diabetic Diets: At 8g of carbohydrates and 4g of fiber, these green beans have a minimal impact on blood sugar.
  • Heart-Healthy Fats: This recipe uses olive oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fats that help support healthy cholesterol levels.
  • Rich in Antioxidants: Shallots are a source of allicin and other antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.

FAQs About Green Beans with Shallots

Yes, green beans are a fantastic food for heart patients. They are naturally low in sodium, contain no cholesterol, and are a good source of fiber. A heart-healthy diet emphasizes foods like green beans.

The healthiest methods include steaming, blanching, sautéing with a heart-healthy oil like olive oil, or roasting. These methods preserve nutrients without adding significant amounts of saturated fat or sodium.

Yes, both are excellent with green beans. Shallots, which are used in this recipe, are in the onion family but have a milder, sweeter, and more delicate flavor than a standard yellow or white onion, which makes them a popular choice.

Common flavors that pair perfectly with green beans include garlic, lemon, balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, and nuts like almonds or walnuts. This recipe uses shallots for a mild, savory-sweet flavor.

More Heart-Healthy Side Dishes

Colorful and tasty, these simple veggie side dishes will enhance any meal.

Healthy Main Courses to Pair

These heart-smart dishes offer recipe nspiration for everything from quick weeknight dinners to party showstoppers.

Ingredients

Recipe yields 8 servings

Directions

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the broiler on high.

  2. Step 2

    In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots. Sauté the shallots for 4 minutes, or until softened. Transfer shallots to a baking pan and arrange in a single layer. Broil for 5 to 7 minutes, or until browned. Set aside.

  3. Step 3

    In a large saucepan, blanch the green beans in simmering water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until slightly tender. Drain in a colander.

  4. Step 4

    In the large skillet, heat butter and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the green beans. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until beans are heated through. Season with the salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with shallots. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:
1/2 cup

75
Calories
5
g
Fat
4
mg
Cholesterol
56
mg
Sodium
8
g
Carbs
1
g
Sat. Fat
4
g
Fiber
2
g
Protein

Recipe Variations and Roasting Tips

Try one of these popular flavor additions for your green beans:

  • Add Acidity: Drizzle 1-2 teaspoons of balsamic glaze or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished dish.
  • Add Garlic: Sauté 1-2 minced garlic cloves with the green beans during Step 4.
  • Add Nuts: For crunch, toss the dish with 1/4 cup of toasted sliced almonds (similar to our other recipe).
  • Add Cheese: Sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese just before serving (note: this will increase the sodium content).

Roasting Method:  For roasted green beans instead of skillet-cooked,  toss the blanched green beans and sliced shallots with 2 Tbsp olive oil, salt (if using), and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until tender-crisp.

Serving & Storage Tips

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The crispy shallots may soften upon refrigeration.
  • Reheating: For best results, reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave until hot, but the beans will be softer.
  • Crispy Shallots: To refresh the shallots, you can remove them and place them in an air fryer or under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until crisp.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can replace the 1 Tbsp of unsalted butter entirely with 1 Tbsp of olive oil to make this dish dairy-free.

If you don't have shallots, you can substitute 1/2 of a small red onion, sliced thin.

Avocado oil can also be used as a high-heat cooking oil.

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