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    Home » What is the Difference » Green Beans vs. French Beans (Haricot Verts)

    Green Beans vs. French Beans (Haricot Verts)

    Published: Jun 10, 2022 · Modified: Mar 31, 2025 by Eric Samuelson

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

    📋 What's New In This Post (3/31/25) - Added new seasoning idea for French beans and tips on how to shop for the best French beans.

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

    The Search for the Thin Bean

    My wife doesn't like green beans that are too beany. I don't mind them myself as long as they are tender. By too beany, I mean that the beans which are the seeds have started to form within the pods.

    Therefore I always keep an eye out for green beans that are not too beany. Discovering beans labelled as French beans or haricot verts has me be more successful cooking green beans as a side dish that my wife my loves.

    I have found Haricot verts in many different places - farmer's markets, Costco, Trader Joe's, and even from my own garden.

    I want to share with you the advantages that I have found from cooking these type of beans over the "regular green beans".

    This post includes affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.

    Jump to:
    • The Search for the Thin Bean
    • 🇫🇷 What are French Beans?
    • ❓ How are French Beans Different?
    • 🔎 How to Pick Out the Best Beans
    • 🍽️ What are French Beans Good For?
    • ✂️ French Cut Green Beans
    • ➕ More Green Bean Posts

    🇫🇷 What are French Beans?

    Haricot vert literally means 'green bean' 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, so you aren't doing this to save money.

    🔎 How to Pick Out the Best Beans

    One thing I must caution you about is to thoroughly inspect the bag before purchasing any French beans. Just because the label says so doesn’t mean it’s exactly what you’re looking for. Like all green beans, regardless of type, the seeds inside will eventually start to sprout. These beans will ultimately become the seeds for new plants.

    A bag organic French beans at Costco

    I've bought French beans from Costco many times, but there was one occasion when I grabbed a bag without giving it a close look. When we got home, we realized that while the beans were smaller than regular green beans, they were too bean-like. It turned out these French beans had been left on the plants for too long and weren't as tender as they should have been.

    You can also look at the color of the bean pod to help determine if they were picked at the right time. As beans mature on the plant and start to grow seeds inside, the pods will become a lighter green, less vivid in color. Eventually, the pods turn brown and dry out with the beans inside. Always look for that vibrant green color

    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.

    • Sautéed with onions, shallots, and/or garlic
    • Air Fryer crispy beans
    • In a quiche
    • In a salad
    A jar of Burlap & Barrel Purple Shallot powder over a plate of french beans

    They are easier for sautéing than regular green beans because they are thin. Use that their thinner size and tenderness to your advantage! Here is what I like to do:

    • Melt some Kerrygold butter in a pan
    • Add the French beans and cook over medium heat. Turn the heat down if the butter starts smoking.
    • Once the beans are tender, sprinkle on some Burlap & Barrel Purple shallot powder.

    Oh my goodness is that easy and incredibly delicious. Just using those two ingredients along with your favorite salt - oh my goodness, so tasty with such little effort.

    ✂️ 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 bag of Frozen Trader Joe's French Green Beans

    While not that common, you can find frozen French beans that are legit haricot verts. Trader Joe's has had them in the past, so that is the place I would look first if that is something you are looking for.

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

    ➕ More Green Bean Posts

    Get your additional most commonly asked green bean questions below:

    • 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
    Simple Mac & Cheese Recipe Without Flour »

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    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!)

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