This Wax Beans with Buttered Breadcrumbs dish is a simple, flavorful side made with just a few ingredients. Fresh, sweet, tender yellow wax beans add a bright pop of color, while buttery breadcrumbs bring a light, delightful crunch. This Wax Beans with Buttered Breadcrumbs recipe is a family recipe from my childhood that I still love to make today. It’s simple, comforting, and always brings back good memories.
Wax beans with buttered breadcrumbs are a classic on Polish tables. Butter and breadcrumbs have a special role in preparing green beans and yellow wax beans, “fasolka szparagowa,” which can be bought by the bucketful in Polish markets when they are in season. Somehow, the combination of butter and breadcrumbs is perfect. The breadcrumbs add crunch, and the butter adds flavor to the mild-tasting beans.
What I love most is how easy it is to make. A quick blanch of the yellow beans and a sauté in buttered breadcrumbs, and you’ve got a side dish that feels special without much effort. It is buttery, lightly crisp, and goes with just about anything, the kind of recipe you will keep coming back to.
This dish is simple enough for weeknight dinners but special enough for holidays. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting guests, it’s always a great choice.
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Now that you’ve got idea for your new favourite side dish, you’ll want to really impress with your main course—check out my Coconut Chicken, Blackened Chicken or Baked Tomatoes and Feta Pasta. And don’t forget dessert like Lemon Poppy Seed Cake, Easy Strawberry Cake, Cream Puffs or Chocolate Loaf Cake with Pears.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE WAX BEANS WITH BUTTERED BREADCRUMBS
This Wax Beans with Buttered Bread Crumbs recipe only requires a few super basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Yellow Wax Beans – Yes, fresh, frozen, or canned just doesn’t work in this recipe.
- Unsalted Butter—Adds richness to the dish. You can also use herb or garlic butter.
- Breadcrumbs – Plain or fresh breadcrumbs work best for this recipe. You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
- Seasoning—I used Kosher salt. You can also add black pepper or try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Fresh Chopped Parsley
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
BUYING YELLOW WAX BEANS TIP: Look for a vivid yellow color. They should have a snap when broken. Avoid beans that are limp, slimy, or covered in brown spots.
HOW TO MAKE WAX BEANS WITH BUTTERED BREADCRUMBS
You’ll find the full recipe below, but here’s how it works:
- Prepare the yellow wax beans by washing them well. Then trim the ends, and remove any tough strings. Slice the beans into smaller pieces, if desired.
- Add salt and water to a large pot. Bring to a boil. Drop the yellow wax beans into the boiling water and cook for 7 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Immediately remove the beans and plunge into the ice water long enough to cool completely, 15 to 30 seconds. Drain the yellow beans in a colander. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir constantly using a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Toss in the yellow wax beans, stirring to coat with the butter; cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season lightly with salt. Transfer to a serving platter and serve hot or at room temperature. Enjoy!
HOW TO CLEAN YELLOW WAX BEANS?
With a sharp paring knife, cut the stem end of each bean. Place the cut beans into a sink of cold water and let them float around to remove any dirt. Soak them for a couple minutes to let the dirt settle to the bottom of the sink. Scoop out the cleaned beans into a colander and give them a cold rinse. Use right away or store in an airtight container that is lined with some paper towel to soak up any excess water.
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EXPERT TIPS
- Choose Fresh Wax Beans: This recipe works best with younger beans. Start with fresh, vibrant yellow wax beans. They should have firm, smooth skin and snap easily.
- Boil the Water First: Allow the water to boil for several minutes before adding your yellow wax beans. This will prevent the water from cooling too much when you add the yellow wax beans.
- Salt the water well: Seasoning the blanching water flavors the beans from the inside out and helps them maintain their beautiful yellow color.
- Don’t Overcook the Beans: This is an easy recipe with no real “trick” except don’t let your beans overcook. Keep an eye on them so they don’t get mushy.
HOW TO STORE
Yellow string beans are best enjoyed right after cooking. If you have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat, adding a little butter or oil as needed. I do not recommend freezing, and reheating in the microwave may make them soggy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do yellow wax beans taste like?
Yellow wax beans, ideally harvested young, are crisp and tender with a succulent texture. They have mellow, grassy, sweet, and nutty flavors.
What are wax beans?
Wax beans are a type of yellow snap bean, similar in shape and taste to green beans. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture when cooked. The bright yellow color makes them stand out, and they are often enjoyed steamed, boiled, or sautéed as a simple side dish.
MORE EASY SIDE DISHES
- Bacon Wrapped Spicy Beans
- Potato Asparagus Salad
- Arugula Salad with Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
- Polish Vegetable Salad
- Red Cabbage Coleslaw Recipe
Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a review in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe for even more delicious recipes and tips.
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so it should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published on July 1, 2022, and republished on April 29, 2026.
WAX BEANS WITH BUTTERED BREADCRUMBS
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh yellow wax beans (about 500 g)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- Kosher salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: Rinse the yellow wax beans well, trim the ends, and remove any tough strings. Slice the beans into smaller pieces, if desired.
- Blanch the Wax Beans: Fill a large pot with well-salted water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the yellow wax beans and cook for about 7 minutes, until tender but still crisp. Do not overcook.Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Using tongs, transfer the beans from the pot to the ice water and cool for 15–30 seconds. Drain well in a colander and set aside.
- Combine and Serve: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 1 minute, until lightly toasted.Add the yellow wax beans and toss to coat in the butter. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt.Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!