Growing up Southern, green beans were always prepared with a little delicacy we like to call fat-back. If you don’t know what this is, I don’t suggest finding out. Only we southerners can take a perfectly healthy vegetable and prepare it until it is devoid of all nutritional value. Imagine my surprise when, as an adult, I discovered there were dozens of ways to cook these delicious beans while still maintaining my waistline. With my backyard garden overflowing with green beans, I am always seeking new ways to cook up these little green pods and here a few of my recent favorites:

Roasted – Salt & Vinegar Green Beans {I substituted Malt Vinegar for the Balsamic and it was amazing!}

Sautéed – Blue Cheese & Walnut Green Beans {down South we have a little thing called Clemson Blue Cheese, obviously made in Clemson, and it is the BEST blue cheese you will ever have}

Steamed – Microwave Steamed Garlic Green Beans {great for when you are short on time}

Casserole – Best Ever Green Bean Casserole {I like to sub out the chicken stock for vegetable to make this vegetarian…best of all, no canned soup required!)

Salad – Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese Dressing {they had me at goat cheese, my absolute weakness}

What is your favorite way to cook green beans?