Sautéed Yellow Wax Beans are pan-seared until charred and smoky, then tossed with garlic, serrano peppers, fresh oregano, and lemon for an easy summer side dish! Despite having only a handful of ingredients, this recipe pays off in big, savory flavor. And it just happens to be 100% vegan!
I am such a kid in a candy store when it comes to unique and fun-colored produce. You can get green beans at the grocery store year-round, but yellow wax beans are such a fun treat in the summer! (Of course, they can be difficult to find in some areas, but no worries! You can make this recipe with green beans too!)
This recipe is proof that you can take a simple handful of ingredients, and turn them into something greater than the sum of its parts. The char of beans goes so well with the hot serrano peppers, and the hint of garlic adds savoriness without being overpowering. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do, enjoy!
For more summer-y veggie recipes, try my Charred Shishito Peppers recipe, Zucchini Tacos, or Eggplant Risotto!
Sautéed Yellow Wax Beans
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Wax Beans
- 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil or other neutral oil
- 2-3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Serrano Pepper diced
- 1/2 Tsp Salt or more, to taste
- Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper to taste
- 1/2 Tbsp Fresh Oregano chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp Lemon Zest
- Juice from 1/2 Lemon
- Flaky Maldon Salt for finishing, optional
Instructions
- Prep the garlic, serrano, oregano, and lemon zest before you begin – the recipe moves quickly once the beans hit the pan!
- To begin, bring a pot of SALTED water to boil. While it's heating up, trim any woody ends off of the wax beans.
- Once the water is boiling, add the wax beans for 2 minutes.
- While the wax beans are boiling, prepare a large bowl with lots of ice and cold water.
- Once the wax beans are done boiling, drain the water and add them directly to the bowl of ice water. Leave them in the water for 2-5 minutes, or until cold to the touch. Then, remove the beans from the water and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Any remaining moisture will prevent the beans from charring properly.
- In a large sauté pan, bring the avocado oil to medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add in the blanched and dried wax beans. Spread them out in the hot oil, then leave them be for about 2 minutes, or until they start to deeply brown in spots. While they're charring, season the beans with the salt and fresh-cracked black pepper.
- Then, stir the beans then leave them be for another minute or so, so they char on the other side.
- Then, reduce the heat to low. Add in the garlic and serrano peppers, and toss with the charred wax beans. Sauté the beans until the garlic is fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to let the garlic brown!
- Remove the beans from heat and stir in the fresh chopped oregano, lemon zest, and fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Add on some flaky Maldon salt for extra crunch, if you'd like. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your preference (i.e. add more salt).
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure not to add the garlic and peppers while you initially char the wax beans – you don’t want the garlic to burn!
- If you can’t find wax beans in the store, this recipe can easily be made with the same amount of green beans.
Nutrition
Sautéed Yellow Wax Beans FAQs
How long do Sautéed Yellow Wax Beans last?
The cooked beans will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
What do yellow wax beans taste like?
They taste pretty much the same as regular green beans! Despite having the word “wax” in their name, they aren’t waxy at all. Instead, they have the vegetal and slightly grassy taste of green beans, but are a bit sweeter than their green counterparts.
Why are wax beans called wax beans?
Yellow wax beans get their name from their pale yellow color and texture, which resembles beeswax. The reason they’re yellow and not green is because they were selectively bred to lack chlorophyll, the green pigment present in other green plants.
What’s the difference between green beans and yellow wax beans?
Wax beans and green beans are the same species: Phaseolus vulgaris. However, wax beans do not contain chlorophyll like green beans do, which is why they’re yellow and not green!
P.S.
For more plant-forward recipes, dinner parties, and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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