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Easy Last Minute Thanksgiving Side Dish with Crunchy Pecan Topping

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A quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish featuring green beans topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan topping that adds texture and festive flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) green beans or fresh green vegetable of choice, trimmed (fresh preferred, frozen okay)
  • 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter, melted or softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup (120 g) pecans, chopped and toasted
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons (45 g) cold butter, cubed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Rinse and trim about 1 pound (450 g) of fresh green beans. If using frozen, thaw and drain well. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons (30 g) of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add the green beans to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender but still crisp. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
  6. Add cold, cubed butter to the pecan mixture and use fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter in until the topping looks crumbly and holds together when pressed.
  7. Transfer the cooked green beans and onions into an oven-safe baking dish. Spread the pecan topping evenly over the green beans.
  8. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crunchy.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the topping to crisp up further.

Notes

Do not overcook green beans; they should be tender but still crisp. Use cold butter for the topping to achieve a crumbly, crunchy texture. Toast pecans in a dry skillet for deeper flavor if time allows. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour. Reheat leftovers in the oven to maintain topping crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving side dish, pecan topping, green beans, easy holiday recipe, crunchy topping, last minute side dish

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/easy-last-minute-thanksgiving-side-dish-with-crunchy-pecan-topping-recipe/