Why would you want to BBQ green beans when a barbecue is all about meat? You and I know when we talk about barbecues, we’re often talking about ribs, steak and burgers. But what about veggies done on the BBQ?
Green beans are one of the most divine taste sensations when it comes to grilling veggies. And you can grill them or even do them in the smoker. You’ll not be boiling them anymore once you get to discover how delicious they are when smoked or grilled.
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Why Cook Green Beans on the BBQ
Gone are the days when we all tossed the vegetables in a pot of hot water and simmered to death. Cooks are more adventurous with vegetable recipes.
Here are some good reasons why you would want to grill beans:
- You’ve got the fire going for the meat, so it makes sense to cook your vegetables on the BBQ too.
- You’ll be turning them into an exciting, delicious side dish to go with your BBQ meats.
- You have a vegetarian guest to your BBQ party.
But how do you grill them?
How to Grill Green Beans on the BBQ
First of all, make sure you have a grill basket or grill pan on hand. Otherwise, you’ll be losing your beans through the grill rack!
Use fresh beans. String or French-style green beans are perfect. Wash them and trim their ends. Pat dry them with a paper towel or clean dishcloth. Place them in a bowl and coat them with olive oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil (so you enjoy the coconut flavor as well).
Now you can go crazy with seasonings or keep it simple with salt and ground peppercorns. Some ideas for seasonings include:
- Paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, or coriander for spicy flavors.
- Garlic or onion powder works well.
- Minced or chopped garlic works well.
- A tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or BBQ sauce adds a tang to the beans.
Combine the beans and seasonings well. Heat up the grill basket on the grill before tossing them in. Grill the beans for up to 7 minutes on the grill, shaking the grill basket a few times. Your beans are ready when they’re bright green, crispy to the bite. You’ll have to sample one or two to make sure they’re done, and have some grill streaks on them.
A great addition to beans is baby tomatoes, bacon, and mushrooms. Toss them in with the beans before grilling.
A tip: Cover the grill rack with some aluminum foil and place the beans on the foil. Turn them over a few times so they grill on both sides. Another option is to wrap the seasoned beans in the foil and place them on the grill. They’ll steam and cook on a medium-high heat, producing a softer bean dish to sample.
How to Serve Grilled Beans
You have a few options when serving up your grilled beans. You could serve them as they’re done on the grill. Or you could use some of the following ideas to create some sublime flavors:
- Toss them in balsamic vinegar before serving.
- Add parmesan or feta cheese after grilling.
- Mix the grilled beans in with other salad ingredients and stir in some French or Italian salad dressing.
- Chop up smoked ham and add to the grilled beans before serving.
Green Beans on the Smoker
If you’re tired of cooking your beans in a crock pot why not smoke them in your smoker? Yes, you can, and you’ll love how tasty they are this way. Plus, you can do them at the same time you’re smoking your favorite meat or accompany them with some smoked pretzels.
While waiting for your smoker to reach the ideal temperature of around 240⁰F to 250⁰F, prepare the beans. Cut off the ends, rinse them well and chop them into smaller pieces. Boil up some chicken or beef broth, organic apple cider vinegar and spices in a large frying pan. Add the beans and simmer them for about 4 minutes.
When the smoker is ready, place the beans and the broth mix into a baking dish. Cut up bacon into chunks and place over the beans. Put the dish, uncovered, into the smoker and let them cook for 3 hours.
Smoked Green Beans Recipe
Try out this recipe the next time you have guests over for a meal.
- 2 cans x beans drained
- 1 can x Campbell’s Tomato Soup
- 8 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 Vidalia onion sliced
- ½ cup brown sugar
Hoe to prepare it:
- Fry the bacon and add the onion halfway through cooking.
- Transfer to a paper towel and drain (while keeping 2 tbsp of the fat behind).
- Combine the soup and brown sugar and stir in the fat.
- Add the bacon and onion to the soup mix and stir until well mixed.
- Toss the beans into a casserole dish and cover with the soup mix. Stir to coat all the beans.
- Place in the smoker uncovered. Let it go for one to two hours until bubbling and forming a caramelized coating. You can also bake them in the oven at 350⁰F for one hour.
Watch this video for another delicious recipe – Arkansa Green Beans.
Final Thoughts
Whether you grill green beans or smoke them covered in a BBQ sauce, they will be a taste sensation at any barbecue. Experiment with different seasonings, some olive oil try barbecue sauce and other combinations.
