Skip to main content

Charred Green Beans with Spicy Tonnato

Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Animal Seafood Sea Life and Lobster
Photo by Laura Murray, styling by Judy Mancini

The tonnato (a classic, creamy Italian sauce made with tuna and anchovies that’s usually served with veal) gives these charred beans a strong umami base, while the lime and habanero chiles add brightness and a little heat.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 habanero chile, seeds removed, quartered
2 oil-packed anchovy fillets
1 6.7-ounce jar oil-packed tuna, drained
½ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon drained capers
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt
2 pounds mixed snap beans, such as green, wax, and/or Romano, cleaned, trimmed
Cilantro leaves with tender stems, salted, roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), and lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Purée chile, anchovies, tuna, mayonnaise, lime juice, capers, ¼ cup oil, and 2 Tbsp. water in a blender until smooth. Season tonnato with salt.

    Step 2

    Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Toss beans in a medium bowl with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt. Working in batches if needed, grill beans in a single layer (if you have a perforated grill pan, this is the perfect time to use it!), turning frequently, until charred on all sides, about 6 minutes.

    Step 3

    Pour one-quarter of tonnato on a platter. Arrange beans over, then drizzle with remaining tonnato. Top with some cilantro and pumpkin seeds and squeeze a little lime juice over.

Read More
Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.
A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.
Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.
The contrast of serving a grilled vegetable ice-cold is thrilling, and the Caesar dressing is rich and thick enough to cling longingly to each leaf of cabbage.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Harissa adds a layer of nuance to this twist on Italian American favorite, shrimp scampi, offering added body and warmth from spices such as caraway and cumin.
Cilantro and a handful of basic spices brings vibrant green color and rich flavor to broiled chicken thighs. Served with rice or naan, this is a weeknight win.