If you’re craving something that hits all the right notes—crispy, fresh, tangy, and packed with flavor—then the Roasted Garlic Green Beans with Fried Sourdough and Goat Cheese Recipe is about to become your new kitchen favorite. Picture this: tender-crisp green beans roasted to perfection with fragrant garlic, crispy golden sourdough cubes pan-fried in butter and olive oil, and a creamy sprinkle of tangy goat cheese that ties everything together in an unforgettable bite. It’s a dish that’s as comforting as it is elegant, perfect for elevating weeknight dinners or impressing guests without breaking a sweat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of how simple yet essential each ingredient is. Every component plays an important role in building layers of texture and flavor, from the richness of butter to the brightness of fresh green beans and the delightful tang of goat cheese.
- Salted butter: Adds a luscious, creamy richness that helps crisp the sourdough beautifully.
- Olive oil: Used twice for roasting and frying, it brings a fruity depth and enhances texture.
- Garlic (4 cloves, crushed and chopped): Gives a warm, aromatic punch that complements the green beans perfectly.
- Day-old sourdough bread (about 7 cups, cubed): Provides the ideal base for crispy, flavorful croutons with a slight tang.
- Fresh green beans (1½ pounds, trimmed and halved): The star of the dish, they’re tender with a slight crunch after roasting.
- Kosher salt: Enhances natural flavors and balances the richness beautifully.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle bite that wakes up the palate without overpowering.
- Goat cheese (3-5 ounces, crumbled): Creamy and tangy, this is the joyful finishing touch that makes every forkful delightful.
How to Make Roasted Garlic Green Beans with Fried Sourdough and Goat Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture
Begin by melting the salted butter in a small bowl, then stir in 1/4 cup of olive oil. Adding the crushed and coarsely chopped garlic to this mixture is key because letting it sit for at least 15 minutes infuses the fats with that wonderful garlic aroma and flavor, which will lightly coat the green beans and sourdough later.
Step 2: Cube the Sourdough and Preheat the Oven
While the garlic butter is developing, cut your day-old sourdough into 1-inch cubes. Using day-old bread ensures the cubes crisp up nicely without getting soggy. Then, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and lightly sprayed with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during roasting.
Step 3: Trim and Prep the Green Beans
Take a moment to trim off the knobby ends of your green beans—these are the tougher parts with some stem attached. The tapered, tender ends can stay as they are. Chop the beans in half or thirds depending on their size, rinse them briefly in a colander to remove any dirt, then give them a good pat dry with paper towels to ensure they roast rather than steam.
Step 4: Arrange Green Beans and Garlic for Roasting
Spread the green beans out evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Strain the butter and olive oil mixture through the colander into a large skillet, leaving the garlic behind to scatter over the green beans—this brings little bursts of garlicky goodness right into the roasting pan.
Step 5: Fry the Sourdough Croutons
Place the skillet over medium heat and add the cubed sourdough to the hot garlic-infused butter and olive oil. Stir frequently, about every couple of minutes, to help each piece crisp up evenly and soak up that flavorful fat. The frying process should take about 10 to 12 minutes until your cubes are wonderfully golden and crunchy.
Step 6: Season and Roast the Green Beans
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the green beans and sprinkle them with the kosher salt and black pepper. Use your hands to gently toss and coat every bean in the seasoning and oil for even flavor. Roast the beans in the 425-degree oven for 6 minutes, then stir and roast another 6 minutes. Check for tenderness—if they’re crisp-tender, they’re ready; if not, roast a few minutes more until perfect.
Step 7: Assemble and Serve
Once your green beans come out tender and luscious, transfer them immediately to a warm serving platter. Top generously with your fried sourdough croutons and finish by sprinkling crumbled goat cheese on top. The creamy tang of goat cheese melts slightly with the warmth and offers a lovely contrast to the savory garlic and crispy bread.
How to Serve Roasted Garlic Green Beans with Fried Sourdough and Goat Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
For an added pop of color and freshness, sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme on top. A few red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you enjoy a little heat, and a light drizzle of balsamic glaze brings a sweet tang that beautifully complements the roasted flavors.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, seared fish, or roasted pork tenderloin for a complete and well-rounded meal. It can also be served alongside a grain like quinoa or farro to add more hearty textures without overpowering the delicate green beans and tangy cheese.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual dinner party, pile the roasted green beans and sourdough onto a rustic wooden board and let guests serve themselves. Alternatively, serve it as a composed salad over a bed of arugula or baby spinach for a fresh, light lunch option. Even a brunch spread benefits from these vibrant green beans topped with goat cheese and crunchy bite-sized sourdough nuggets.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover roasted green beans with fried sourdough and goat cheese into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The green beans will maintain their crispness better if you keep the sourdough and cheese separate until serving.
Freezing
While the green beans freeze well, the sourdough croutons and goat cheese do not retain their texture after freezing. To preserve the best taste and texture of the Roasted Garlic Green Beans with Fried Sourdough and Goat Cheese Recipe, it’s best to freeze the green beans alone in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Add fresh croutons and goat cheese after reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the green beans gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. Add the fried sourdough cubes and goat cheese just before serving to keep the croutons crispy and the cheese creamy and fresh.
FAQs
Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old sourdough?
Fresh bread tends to be softer and might not crisp up as well, making your croutons slightly soggy. Using day-old sourdough helps achieve that desirable crunch and resilient texture perfect for this recipe.
What size green beans work best?
Medium to large green beans are ideal because they hold up nicely to roasting and frying without becoming mushy. Trimming and chopping them into halves or thirds speeds cooking and ensures an even texture.
Is goat cheese essential for the recipe?
Goat cheese adds a unique tang and creaminess that balances the savory garlic and butter perfectly. However, if you’re not a fan, feta or ricotta salata can be delicious substitutes.
Can I make this dish vegan?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, use olive oil for frying, and replace the goat cheese with a vegan cheese or toasted nuts for added creaminess and crunch.
How long does the entire recipe take from start to finish?
With about 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking, you’re looking at roughly 35 minutes total—quick enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests.
Final Thoughts
This Roasted Garlic Green Beans with Fried Sourdough and Goat Cheese Recipe is one of those magical dishes that feels both indulgent and fresh, effortless to prepare yet packed with flavor and texture that your whole family or guests will rave about. Next time you want a side that steals the show, give this recipe a try—you’re going to love how simple ingredients transform into something truly memorable.
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Roasted Garlic Green Beans with Fried Sourdough and Goat Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously roasted green beans tossed with fragrant garlic and topped with crispy fried sourdough croutons and creamy goat cheese, perfect as a savory side dish that combines texture and flavor.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Mixture
- 5 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed and coarsely chopped
For the Green Beans
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and chopped in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Fried Sourdough
- 12 ounces (about 7 cups) day-old sourdough bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
Topping
- 3–5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter: Melt the butter in a small bowl and stir in 1/4 cup olive oil. Add the crushed and chopped garlic to this mixture and set aside for at least 15 minutes to infuse.
- Prep Bread Cubes: While the garlic is infusing, cut the day-old sourdough bread into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare Green Beans: Trim the knobby stem ends off the green beans, leaving the tender tapered end intact. Chop the green beans in half or thirds depending on size. Rinse them in a colander and pat dry thoroughly.
- Arrange Green Beans: Spread the prepared green beans on the lined baking sheet.
- Strain Garlic Butter: Using the colander, strain the garlic butter mixture into a 12-inch skillet, leaving the chopped garlic to add to the green beans on the pan.
- Fry Sourdough Cubes: Heat the garlic butter over medium heat then add the sourdough cubes. Stir every couple of minutes until the bread is golden and crispy, about 10-12 minutes total.
- Season Green Beans: Drizzle the green beans and garlic with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper, and toss well by hand to ensure even coating.
- Roast Green Beans: Roast the beans at 425°F for 6 minutes, stir, then return to the oven for another 6 minutes.
- Check Doneness: Check green beans for crisp tenderness using a fork. If not done, stir again and roast an additional 3 minutes. Total roasting time ranges from 12-15 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer roasted green beans to a warm serving platter. Top with the crispy fried sourdough cubes and scatter crumbled goat cheese on top.
Notes
- Use day-old sourdough bread for best crisping results when frying.
- Be sure to pat dry the green beans thoroughly before roasting to get a better roast and prevent steaming.
- Adjust goat cheese quantity according to preference for creaminess and tang.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with vegan margarine and omit goat cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- Watch the sourdough cubes closely while frying to avoid burning; stir continuously for even browning.
