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Close-up of Best Thanksgiving Green Beans 2025 salad with diced butternut squash, dried cranberries, and pecans in a bowl.

Best Thanksgiving Green Beans 2025: Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside

This recipe offers a delightful Thanksgiving side dish featuring green beans with a crispy exterior and tender interior, complemented by roasted butternut squash, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. A simple maple-lemon drizzle ties all the flavors together.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Pecan Toasting 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Christmas, Side Dish, Thanksgiving
Cuisine: American
Calories: 236
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Roasted Butternut Squash
  • 1 lb butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cubed into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper
Other Ingredients
  • 12 oz green beans ends trimmed, cut into 1.5 or 2 inch pieces
  • 1 cup pecans halves
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries I used Craisins
Maple-Lemon Drizzle
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium bowl
  • Large Bowl
  • Pot

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine cubed butternut squash and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place butternut squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until softened.
  4. While the butternut squash roasts, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add green beans and boil for 3-5 minutes, depending on desired tenderness. Drain and immediately rinse under cold running water. Drain again.
  5. Toast pecan halves in the oven at 350 F for about 5-7 minutes, until they get darker in color. Watch closely as they can burn quickly. Chop half of the toasted pecans.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked green beans, roasted butternut squash, and dried cranberries. Mix to combine.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and lemon juice for the drizzle.
  8. Top the green bean mixture with the toasted pecan halves and chopped pecans. Drizzle with the maple-lemon mixture just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 479mgFiber: 5gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 8437IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For a different flavor profile, consider using balsamic vinegar and olive oil, balsamic glaze, or your favorite store-bought balsamic vinaigrette as a dressing option.

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