Mexican green beans, a healthy green bean recipe and a perfect low carb side dish made with onions, tomatoes and spices.
When I was growing up, my mother made green beans in the Italian style with tomatoes, onions, basil, and oregano. It was an easy side dish that didn’t require much time or thought, just a few healthy ingredients. Switching the seasonings to cumin and fresh oregano gives this dish a Southwest or Mexican flavor. So delish!
Youll find many Southwestern style low carb recipes on the site. I grew up in the Southwest, so I like to serve my family the dishes and flavors I grew up with. You’ll find authentic marinades and recipes for beef fajitas and chicken fajitas. I have a delicious recipe for chiles rellenos and New Mexico green chile stew. And, don’t forget the great tasting enchilada sauce recipe that doesn’t require soaking and grinding chiles. It’s great on low carb enchiladas, chicken and eggs.
Easy Mexican Green Beans Recipe
Are green beans low carb? Yes! Green beans have approximately 3.6 g carbohydrates per 1 cup (100 g), making them one of the best low carb vegetables.
I recently shared a recipe for pork chops covered in a chile verde sauce and served these Mexican style green beans on the side, which you can see in the photos. The flavors were great together. Green beans are one of my favorite low carb vegetables, so we eat them a few times a week.
While testing this dish, I found that simmering or steaming the beans before cooking in the pan yielded in a softer green bean. My family prefers a firmer green bean, so I cooked them in the pan and covered them with a piece of foil to steam. This resulted in more of a crisp-tender or al dente texture. Covering with a tight fitting lid will result in a softer green bean. I suppose this recipe will also work with drained canned green beans; cook until heated through. So, choose which cooking method you like best.
To make these Mexican green beans, I sauteed fresh onions, garlic, spices, and tomatoes in a pan. Next, I added chicken base, water, and the beans. I lightly covered the pan with foil until the green beans were tender. Then, I stirred, added some butter (my family loves butter), checked for seasoning and served. It’s as easy as that and the natural flavors really shine through. I don’t mean they scream MEXICAN GREEN BEANS, but the subtle flavors are decidedly of the South West.
[NOTE] Everyones palate is different and some of you may want a heavier dose of spices. Adding some red pepper flakes or diced pickled jalapenos would also be nice. Adding a little crumbled bacon tastes, great, too. Or, try some crumbled cotija cheese.
The recipe comes together very quickly making it a great go-to option with grilled meats, fish or anytime you want something different.
I have several great recipes for green beans. Try the Sweet and Sour German Green Beans or the Green Bean Almondine .
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FAQ
Do Hispanics eat green beans?
What kind of beans do they use in Mexico?
Do green beans grow in Mexico?
What country is known for green beans?
What are green beans a la Mexicana?
Mexican-style green beans are a quick and easy side dish what uses simple healthy ingredients and can be made in no time. The use of “a la mexicana” in Mexican cooking means the dish uses ingredients with the tree colors of the Mexican flag: green, white and red. Green is traditionally represented in green chiles.
Is it safe to eat uncooked beans?
In general, it is unsafe to consume uncooked or raw beans. This applies to uncooked or raw green beans and legumes like peas and lentils. Beans contain compounds called lectins that serve to protect plants from environmental insults, but they can also have toxic effects on humans when consumed in large amounts. Eating raw uncooked beans can cause digestive symptoms like severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and bloating. Lima beans and kidney beans contain some of the highest concentration of lectins and consuming only a few of the beans will cause symptoms similar to food poisoning. Cooking destroys lectins and makes beans safe to eat. Canned beans are also safe because they are precooked.
Can you eat frozen green beans?
Another great option is frozen green beans. Frozen green beans have just as many nutrients as fresh ( 2 ). They offer a convenient and affordable way to incorporate vegetables into your diet. To use frozen green beans in this recipe, thaw and drain any excess water from the green beans before using them.
Can you eat canned green beans?
Keep in mind canned green beans may have extra sodium. In this case I recommend either rinsing the green beans before using, reducing the salt, or using a salt-free adobo seasoning. You can also look for a no salt added can of green beans. Another great option is frozen green beans. Frozen green beans have just as many nutrients as fresh ( 2 ).