• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Eat Like No One Else logo

  • 🏠 Home
  • ℹ️ About
    • How to Eat Like No One Else
  • πŸŽ„ Christmas
    • Christmas Breakfast
    • Christmas Cookies
    • Christmas Food Guides
    • Shopping for Christmas Dinner
  • 🎁 Shop for Gifts
  • 🍽️ Recipes
  • ✍️ Sign Up for Virtual Events
  • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
  • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
  • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ℹ️ About Us
  • 🍽️ Recipes
  • πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast
  • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
  • πŸ›’ Best Grocery Stores
  • 🍎 Apples Reviews
  • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
  • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
    • Instagram
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ℹ️ About Us
    • 🍽️ Recipes
    • πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast
    • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
    • πŸ›’ Best Grocery Stores
    • 🍎 Apples Reviews
    • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
    • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
    • Instagram
  • Γ—

    Home Β» Uncategorized Β» Green Beans vs. French Beans (Haricot Verts)

    Green Beans vs. French Beans (Haricot Verts)

    Published: Jun 10, 2022 by Eric Samuelson

    What is the difference between regular green beans and French beans, also labelled as Haricot verts?

    Thin Franch Greens in a pile on a white table with colored dots, right next to regular sized Green Beans

    Green beans are a stable vegetable in my household. And for sure one that I love to grow in my garden.

    When you open up a seed catalog you see many different options for green beans. But when you are in the grocery store, there is normally only two - standard green beans and French green beans (also labelled as Haricot Verts). This post is about explaining the differences between these types of beans.

    Jump to:
    • πŸ‡«πŸ‡· What are French Beans?
    • ❓ How are French Beans Different?
    • 🍽️ What are French Beans Good For?
    • βœ‚οΈ French Cut Green Beans
    • βž• More Green Bean Posts

    πŸ‡«πŸ‡· What are French Beans?

    Haricot Verts literally means green beans in French. French Beans are often given that name at the store. Whether you see either name this means you are getting a thin fresh green bean. A lot thinner than "regular" green beans.

    This is really the only significant difference between the two, but not the only difference.

    A bag of Marketplace green bags from Walmart on the left, next to a bag of French Beans both sitting on a white table with colored spots.
    The green beans on the left were grown in the USA and the French beans were grown in Mexico.

    ❓ How are French Beans Different?

    A thinner bean is going to cook quicker than a thicker bean. Besides that the reason people like then is that they are morn tender.

    What about flavor? Here is the interesting thing. Here in the United States a lot of the green beans you are buying in the store were grown here. But many of the French beans are grown in Guatemala and Mexico. Thus by the time they reach our stores, they are older. I find that they aren't as sweet tasting. For flavor, in most cases I believe that regular green beans are going to taste better.

    If you can buy French green beans at a farmer's market or grown them yourself - DO IT! These will be far superior in flavor to anything you find in a grocery store.

    Another thing you will find in grocery stores is that French beans are sold only by the bag. You rarely ever find them sold by the pound. The prices is always higher for the French beans as well.

    A pile on French Beans on a white table with colored spots.

    🍽️ What are French Beans Good For?

    You can interchange green beans and French beans really in any recipe. But there are some types of recipes where French beans shine.

    • SautΓ©ed with onions, shallots, and/or garlic
    • Air Fryer crispy beans
    • In a quiche
    • In a salad

    They are easier for sautΓ©ing than regular green beans because they are thin. Use that their thinner size and tenderness to your advantage!

    βœ‚οΈ French Cut Green Beans

    Now if you see a package labelled "French Cut" green beans that is something completely different. It refers to a style of cutting beans, thinly or julienne. You will find these beans in the frozen section of your grocery store. I personally am not a fan. I have never had any that I thought were cooked right. Too soft.

    A pile of Green Beans on a white table with colored spots.

    βž• More Green Bean Posts

    Learn more about green beans.

    • How are they different from Wax Beans?
    • How to Air Fry Them
    • What to Serve with Them
    • How to Tell if Bad
    • Why Cook Them Via Sous Vide
    « Seasoning for Frozen Green Beans
    How to Cook Bison Ribeye »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Nice to Meet You,

    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

    ☘️ Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe

    Categories

    Top Posts & Pages

    What Easy Side Dishes for Easter Ham
    Episode 101 - Make Your Own Pan Pizza
    Episode 100 - How to Cook Sausage in a Hotel Room
    Episode 099 - Best Fish to Buy at ALDI

    Recent Posts

    • What Easy Side Dishes for Easter Ham
    • Episode 101 - Make Your Own Pan Pizza
    • Episode 100 - How to Cook Sausage in a Hotel Room
    • Episode 099 - Best Fish to Buy at ALDI
    • Vacuum Packed Corned Beef Shelf Life

    Reduce Food Waste in Your House

    Copyright © 2023 Eat Like No One Else on the Foodie Pro Theme