Honey-Garlic Green Beans

Photo by Michael Piazza / Styled by Catrine Kelty

Green beans are a trusty staple side dish, but they can be a bit ordinary on their own. With honey, soy sauce and garlic, in just 20 minutes you can turn them into a vegetable that makes second helpings worth fighting for. 

Serves 8

4 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ crushed red pepper flakes
2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed 

Whisk together the first 5 ingredients and set aside. Prepare a bowl of ice water in the sink.

Bring 10 cups of water to boil in a large stockpot, and blanche beans in batches until tender but still crisp. After each batch, drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry.

Coat stockpot with cooking spray. Using high heat, cook beans until slightly blistered, about 2 minutes. Add sauce; continue stirring until beans are coated and sauce begins to evaporate. Serve immediately. 

This recipe appeared in the Fall/Holiday 2020 issue as part of a larger story on the Business of Beekeeping.