Skip to main content

Braised Endives with Haricots Verts

This elegant vegetarian side dish pairs the slight bitterness of Belgian endives with the fresh crunch of haricots verts. By braising the endives in a mixture of lemon, butter, and stock, the vegetable caramelises beautifully, resulting in a sophisticated flavour profile that balances sweet and savoury notes. The use of a parchment lid, or cartouche, ensures the endives cook evenly while the liquid reduces into a glossy, citrus-infused glaze.

Perfect for a Sunday roast or as a light accompaniment to a midweek meal, these braised endives offer a refined alternative to standard leafy greens. This recipe is naturally low in calories and packed with fibre, making it a healthy choice for those seeking a nutritious, vegetable-forward dish that feels truly special. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between the silky endives and crisp beans.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Braised Endives with Haricots Verts

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits, plus additional for greasing wax paper

  • 230g haricots verts or other thin green beans, trimmed

  • 4 Belgian endives (450g), trimmed, leaving leaves attached, and halved lengthwise

  • 120ml reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoons salt

How to make Braised Endives with Haricots Verts

Cut out a round of wax paper to fit just inside a 12-inch heavy skillet, then butter 1 side of round.

Fit endives, cut sides down, snugly in skillet. Add broth, lemon juice, butter bits, sugar, and salt, then cover endives with wax-paper round, buttered side down, and simmer until endives are tender and liquid is thickened and reduced to about a quarter of its original volume, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook beans in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then drain again.

Remove wax paper from endives, then gently stir in beans and cook until beans are just heated through, about 1 minute.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
flu eligibility checker

Ask, share, connect.

Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.

symptom checker

Feeling unwell?

Assess your symptoms online for free

Sign up to the Patient newsletter

Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.

Please enter a valid email address

By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.