Before I get to the recipe, just a quick note that I’m doing the Whole 30 with some friends here in Belize this month, and many of my upcoming recipes will likely reflect that since it’s how I’ll be eating.
Don’t freak out – the recipes will still be delicious and mostly keto friendly! ?
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve done the Whole 30, and it will be just the thing I need to get my eating under control since I’ve been enjoying far too many local Belizean dishes that are loaded with grains, legumes, and other things my body hates since we’ve gotten here (but ohhhhh it’s been DELICIOUS and FUN!) #honesty
Time to get serious though, and this month will hopefully reset my body and get me back on track with healthy eating. Also keto is so much easier for me after a month of Whole 30 because it feels extravagant and not at all restrictive when I get to eat cheese, dark chocolate, and have the occasional drink again!! (I’m looking at you low carb moscow mules!)
If any of you are interested in doing the Whole 30 program, you can get a lot of free downloads on their website to help you get started and stay on track through the month. Back when I was doing it they had a great book called It Starts With Food, but since then they have published a Whole 30 book specifically for the program that I just downloaded and can’t wait to start reading!
Ok, now on to this fantastic green beans recipe – which just happens to be Whole 30 friendly even though I made it weeks ago while still in New York.
For some reason, green beans are the red-headed stepchildren of the veggie world. You rarely see them featured on food blogs, in magazines, or on cooking shows. Why is that?
Green beans are a perfectly respectable veggie – plenty of vitamins and usually pretty cheap to boot. So what’s the problem???
I’ve done some soul searching recently to figure out why I almost never make them, and it’s been hard to pinpoint.
Maybe it’s because they lack the versatility of other veggies like broccoli and cauliflower. There is only so much you can do with a green bean – saute them in garlic and oil, maybe throw in some slivered almonds. Or the ubiquitous green bean casserole. Ugh. SO. BORING.
Because I knew green beans would be next to impossible to find here in Belize, I decided to give them one more shot before we left New York.
I wanted to keep it simple and easy, but also maximize the flavor and give them some “oomph,” as my mom would say.
Since Ras el Hanout (a traditional North African / Moroccan spice mixture) is one of my favorite seasonings, and I had two bags to use up before I left, I sprinkled a generous amount on my green beans along with some olive oil, salt and pepper, and then roasted them in the oven.
If I’m being honest, my expectations weren’t that high. They were just green beans after all…
Friends, I’m here to tell you that these are by far the best green beans I’d ever tasted. Now I’m not going to come at you with bold statements claiming these are as good as french fries or potato chips or anything like that – but they were literally addicting.
As in I COULDN’T STOP EATING THEM.
They are both sweet and savory, a little spicy, with a distinct and unique flavor that is impossible to describe, but OH. SO. DELICIOUS.
After the photo shoot I munched on them by hand while I edited photos. Before I knew it they were all gone and I was staring incredulously at an empty platter! GREEN BEANS!? I kid you not!
But don’t just take my word for it! Mr. Hungry, hater of most veggies and ambiguous at best about green beans, ate all of the rest for dinner alongside a pork roast that I’ll post the recipe for soon.
His comment? “What’s on these green beans?!?! They taste incredible!”
SERIOUSLY.
So if you’re like me and usually walk right on by the green beans while heading to the cauliflower section, stop and give them another chance! I promise you won’t regret it!
You can purchase my favorite authentic Ras el Hanout seasoning on Amazon, which contains the rose petals and lavender blossoms which I LOVE.
I believe Trader Joe’s has their own version as well – or you can make a passable substitute using this recipe.
If you get/make some Ras el Hanout, you can also make my favorite grilled lamb chops recipe from a couple of years ago!
While I know this green bean recipe is unlikely to go viral, I REALLY hope that some of you guys will at least try them!!!!
Then be sure to let me know if they were a hit with your friends and family too!
Moroccan Roasted Green Beans – Low Carb & Gluten Free
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Give boring green beans another chance with these delicious Moroccan Spiced Roasted Green Beans! Keto, Atkins, Paleo and Whole 30 approved!
Ingredients
- 6 cups raw green beans, trimmed
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Ras el Hanout seasoning
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Toss the green beans, olive oil and seasonings together and spread out on a large cookie sheet or roasting pan.
- Roast at 400 degrees (F) for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and stir.
- Return to the oven and roast an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove and serve warm or chilled.
Notes
Approx nutrition info per cup: 73 calories, 5g fat, 4g net carbs, 2g protein
- Category: Low carb side dish recipe
- Cuisine: North African
Meanwhile, for those of you that don’t live on a tropical island, SUMMER IS COMING SOON! Not ready to get into that bathing suit yet?!? I know the feeling!!!
Get back on track with my free keto menu plans and you’ll be hitting the beach with confidence in no time!
Marla says
Since I LOVE green beans this recipe interested me very much. I often add sliced almonds, slightly chopped pecans or bacon with my beans. I always enjoy new flavors and will have to try this seasoning! How would this be on cauliflower?
Debbie Mattson says
I work at Costco and was very excited to find your book there. Keep up the good work!
Mickie Gross says
These are SPECTACULAR! I now keep a container of “morroccan spice” in my cabinet specifically for this dish…pairs with everything from pork to chicken to beef! I bookmark probably everything you post,,THANK YOU!
★★★★★
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks Mickie, glad you enjoyed them as much as I did!
Sandra West says
I’ve eaten lots of beans in my life, these are the BEST ever.
Trees M says
you were so insistant that we try these beans I did. Served for small dinner party and all were eaten and praised. Love to see more out of the mainstream veggie recipes.
★★★★★
ellen beck says
This sounds like a really nice variation and a good way to mix it up using green beans. Luckily I am aa gardener, and green beans grow like mad.I plant one row and have enough to freeze up and plenty to share with friends!
★★★★★
Margaret says
YUM! Three of us sat down and ate a pound of these green beans last night, and we were all wishing we had more, lots more. Absolutely delicious! Thank you for the wonderful ideas.
★★★★★
Eric says
I love green beans, even just boiled. Not sure why, but I’ve only roasted them a couple of times. Moroccan flavors are among my favorites, so this is a must try recipe. My only comment: How much is six cups of green beans? Wouldn’t it depend on how big the pieces are, and how tightly packed? A weight measure would be much more precise.
Mellissa Sevigny says
You’re not wrong about that, but this recipe doesn’t really require precise measurements – you can eyeball it and be fine. I used a large pyrex measuring pitcher to get the six cups, it was approximately a pound of green beans.
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
I love green beans and have just started baking them as part of sheet pan dinners. I love that you put such an awesome seasoning on them. I love Ras el Hanout. When I read that in your post, I smacked my forehead and thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Genius!
movita beaucoup says
I’d eat more green beans if they didn’t have that weird, almost-furry exterior. Why, Green Beans, WHY?
Mellissa Sevigny says
TRUTH. I think that’s why I don’t eat them raw more often too – it’s a little hard to get past that texture!
PrimalHelen says
Thanks fort this, I always wonder what to do with beans, this will be interesting to try.
Good luck with the whole30.
Dawn says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I love green beans but occasionally want them favored with something different than just butter. I especially appreciate that I can make the spice blend using items I already have in the cupboard and that I’m familiar with the taste.
★★★★★