Struggle with getting dinner on the table? Grab our 5 easy family meal recipes!

These Cranberry Green Beans are dressed up with shallots, goat cheese, and almonds, and are a perfect holiday appetizer or side! Plus, these cranberry almond green beans are ready in only 15 minutes!

this Post!

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. You can read more here about our Disclaimer and Privacy Page.

I love bringing a nice holiday side to a gathering, and these Cranberry Green Beans always get raving reviews – they are my go to!

Delicious green beans, paired with dried cranberries, creamy goat cheese, quinoa and crunchy nuts. It’s the best holiday side and one of my favorite green bean dishes for Christmas.

The quinoa gives this dish a more filling nature, adding protein, fiber and plenty of nutrients. But, also more staying power.

I love enjoying it as a veggie-rich app, paired with some nice bread, slathered with cranberry chia jam.

These cooked green beans with cranberries are a holiday hit, and my favorite flavorful Thanksgiving side dish. Bring them as an appetizer or side to lighten up your holiday table.

Why You’ll Love Cranberry Green Beans

• Easy, quick holiday side – You only need 15-20 minutes for this cranberry green bean dish, but it’s also a great side year-round. Add this to your repertoire of Christmas recipes kids can make – older kids can handle this.
• Pairs well with any entree – Another reason we love these green beans with cranberries is that they are a perfect side to nearly any entree – turkey, ham, a pot roast, chicken, etc. Versatile and delicious!
• Only 5 key ingredients – Isn’t it great when some of the best recipes require only a few key ingredients? These pack a powerful punch of flavor when mixed in this dish.
• Filling, High fiber side – Just one serving of these green beans and quinoa and cranberries offers 5 grams of fiber, and nearly 8 grams of protein.

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

• green beans
• quinoa – Tri colored quinoa looks extra pretty!
• Goat cheese – I like a garlic goat cheese, or you can flavor your own.
• Shallots – A nice mild, yet sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.

How to Make Cranberry Almond Green Beans

First, boil your green beans.

While the green beans are boiling, cook your quinoa. I prefer to cook mine in bone broth, usually one part quinoa to two parts liquid.

Then, you’ll drain your cooked green beans and start sauteing the shallot in some olive oil in the same pan.

Then, add back in the green beans, as well as the almonds and dried cranberries.

Finally, you’ll add the cooked quinoa in. Season with honey (I used about a teaspoon), salt and pepper and give it all a stir.

I think toasting your quinoa would also be delicious here to add a nice crunch!

I like to serve it in a nice, pretty serving dish when I’m serving for the holidays. At home, I’ll usually eat it as a quinoa green bean salad, and add the cranberries, almonds and goat cheese as toppings.

Storage

Store this in a tight tupperware or covered dish in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Servings 4 servings

Cranberry Green Beans with Quinoa and Goat Cheese

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN

These Cranberry Green Beans are dressed up with shallots, goat cheese and almonds, and are a perfect holiday appetizer or side! Plus, these cranberry almond green beans are ready in only 20 minutes!

No ratings yet

Print Pin

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 17 minutes mins

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 12 oz green beans, washed and trimmed
• ½ cup quinoa
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup sliced almonds
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Drizzle of honey I used about 1 tsp
• 1-2 oz feta cheese goat cheese

Instructions 

1. Add water to a large saucepan or steamer, add green beans and bring to a boil. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until green beans are softened.
2. While green beans are boiling, cook your quinoa.
3. When green beans are cooked, drain them. To the empty saucepan that the green beans were in, add sliced shallot and 1 Tbsp of olive oil, and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until shallot starts to soften. Then, add in cooked green beans, dried cranberries, almonds, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the drizzle of honey and mix well on low heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to mesh.
4. Add cooked quinoa to the saucepan with green beans and mix. Transfer to a serving bowl of plate, and add goat cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 34mgPotassium: 383mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 663IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?Let us know how it was!