Garlic Green Beans

Garlic Green Beans not only taste incredible but are super easy to make. Fresh green beans, butter (olive oil) and garlic sauteed in one skillet for 6 minutes making super easy side dish year round.

Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic

These garlic green beans will change your perspective on green beans. Green beans are cooked until firm and then seasoned with lots of garlic sauteed in butter or olive oil.

Such a simple side dish recipe and yet tastes incredible.

Last time I was at Costco and due to it being November, my eye “fell” on a bag of fresh green beans. My eyes don’t literally fall out, thank goodness, but you know what I mean. 🙂

Anyways, I rushed home, prepared this recipe and my kids went for seconds. I made sure to use an easy one pan technique with lots of flavor and yet easy to prepare for a healthy weeknight or Holiday side dish.

Let me show you how. 1.5 lbs of beans gone between 4 of us on a Saturday night. I call it “a success”.

How to Prepare Green Beans for Cooking

This time of year I buy green beans at Costco. They are usually trimmed which is a huge time saver. When in season, I get string green beans from a farmer’s market. Then the ends on both sides need to be trimmed.

Rinse well with cold water and drain.

Sadly, green beans are on a dirty dozen list meaning they are high in pesticides. One of the reasons I try not to buy them often in winter and only local in summer. Washing helps to remove pesticides. So, wash well.

How to Cook Fresh Green Beans

Add green beans to preheated large skillet on medium heat along with 3 tbsp water.

Cover and cook for 4 minutes. This will steam green beans eliminating the need to blanch them in another pot. I am using this ceramic non-stick deep wok style pan.

Remove the lid and if there is any water left, let it evaporate. String beans should be al dente.

Now let’s add yummy garlic!

Seasoning Sauteed Green Beans

To make garlic flavorful and yet less spicy, push green beans to the side of the skillet with tongs. On empty surface, add butter or olive oil and 3-4 large minced garlic cloves. Cook stirring often for about 30 seconds.

Then quickly stir sauteed garlic with beans, 1/2 tsp salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Act fast like with a stir fry.

Another 30 seconds and your garlic green beans recipe is ready to be enjoyed.

Variations

First time, I made garlic butter green beans and now I prepared them with extra virgin olive oil. Both were delicious. I think I prefer garlic and butter version just a tad better. Just a tad. 🙂

You can also make this recipe your own and add:

• A squeeze of fresh lemon.
• 1/4 cup of skillet toasted slivered or sliced almonds.
• 2 tbsp of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Sauteed diced 3 slices of bacon beforehand.

Can I Use Frozen Green Beans?

Yes, you can use frozen green beans.

Wash frozen beans well with cold water to remove dirt and pesticides. No need to thaw. Skip this step if you wash vegetables before freezing.

Then add to the skillet without water, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat. Frozen green beans will release their own water during cooking.

Check after to see if they need more water or more time to cook.

What to Serve with Green Beans

For a regular dinner side dish serve green beans with:

• Honey garlic salmon or Thai salmon
• Baked chicken breast or thighs
• Mashed potatoes or cauliflower mashed potatoes

There is nothing more pretty than vibrant colours on your Thanksgiving table:

• Healthy sweet potato casserole
• Roast turkey breast
• Turkey gravy and healthy cranberry sauce
• Beet salad with arugula and pecans
• Mexican kale salad

More Green Beans Recipes

• Healthy green bean casserole
• Green beans and chicken
• Browse all healthy sides.

Garlic Green Beans

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

Garlic Green Beans not only taste incredible but are super easy to make. Fresh green beans, butter (olive oil) and garlic sauteed in one skillet for 6 minutes making super easy side dish year round.

• Author: Olena of ifoodreal.com
• Prep Time: 6 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 6 (side dish) 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stove
• Cuisine: Ukrainian

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs fresh string green beans, ends trimmed*
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 3–4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat.
2. Add green beans and 3 tbsp water.
3. Cover with lid and cook for 4 minutes.
4. Remove the lid and if there is any water left, cook green beans until water has evaporated.
5. Push beans to the side and add butter or olive oil and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds and then stir with green beans.
6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; and sauté for another 30 seconds.
7. Serve warm.

Store: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Do not freeze.

Notes

*You can use frozen green beans.

• Wash frozen beans well with cold water to remove dirt and pesticides. No need to thaw. Skip this step if you wash vegetables before freezing.
• Then add to the skillet without water, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat. Frozen green beans will release their own water during cooking.
• Check after to see if they need more water or more time to cook.

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating in the comments.

723.7 g201.5 mg4.1 g2.4 g0 g8.6 g3.1 g2.2 g10.2 mg

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