Sautéed Green Beans

Name: Skillet Garlic Butter Green Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter, (divided); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1½ pounds green beans, (trimmed); 1 tablespoon minced garlic; ½ teaspoon salt, (or to taste); fresh ground black pepper, (to taste); ¼ cup water

by Katerina

4.95 from 17 votes

Mar 01, 2024

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These Sauteed Green Beans are a favorite side dish because they’re easy to make and they are so delicious. They offer a buttery taste, are crisp yet tender, and add a bright pop of vibrant green to your plate. Perfect for everyday meals or special occasions.

This holiday, if you find yourself in need of a quick yet impressive side dish, look no further than this easy recipe for sautéed green beans. Requiring less than 10 ingredients and ready in around 15 minutes (with no oven needed!), it’s a great way to add a flavorful touch to your meal at the last minute.

Why You’ll Love This Sauteed Green Beans Recipe

Powerhouse of flavor. The fresh green beans are cooked to achieve a tender-crisp texture, ensuring they retain their bright green color. To infuse extra flavor, they are then dressed in a garlic butter sauce adding a garlicky kick that’s so appetizing, that you might find yourself enjoying them directly from the serving dish.
Super easy. Side dishes need to be easy whether they’re for a simple weeknight meal of bacon mac and cheese or a huge holiday feast with Christmas ham. These sauteed green beans will be ready to enjoy in just 15 minutes!
Goes with anything. One of my favorite things about green beans is that they really do compliment just about any dish. Beef, chicken, fish? No problem!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter: We’ll use butter in two stages to add richness and flavor to the green beans. You can substitute it with additional olive oil.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is used at the beginning to sauté the green beans. For a variation, avocado oil or another vegetable oil could be used.
Green Beans: They should be fresh and trimmed for the best texture and flavor. If green beans are not available, snap peas could make good substitutes.
Minced Garlic: Garlic adds a punch of flavor. If you’re out of fresh garlic, a dash of garlic powder will work.
Salt & Black Pepper: Kosher salt or sea salt are great options for seasoning, as is freshly cracked black pepper.
Water: Water is added to help steam the green beans while still keeping them crisp. If you want to add flavor, vegetable broth or chicken broth could be used as an alternative. Or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

How to Cook Fresh Green Beans in a Skillet

Heat: Melt a tablespoon of butter and heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat.
Add the Green Beans: Stir in the green beans and cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes, or until the beans start to char in areas. Stir in the garlic and salt. Continue to cook for about 20 seconds.
Add liquid: Add water; cover and cook covered for 2 minutes, or until the beans are crisp tender and the water has evaporated.
Add butter: Remove the lid and add a tablespoon of butter. Stir around until the butter is melted.
Season: Add cracked pepper, taste for seasonings, and adjust accordingly.
Serve: Remove from heat and serve.

green beans, tomatoes, and garlic cloves in a black skillet with a wooden spoon inside

Recipe Tips and Variations

Don’t use canned green beans. This recipe will not work with canned green beans. They are much too soft and will likely fall apart in the skillet.
Use a variety of fresh green beans: Bush beans, pole beans, runner beans, etc.
Don’t forget to trim up your green beans before adding them to the skillet. You don’t want to eat the tough, stringy ends of the green beans.
Play up their nutty flavors by adding dashes of sesame ginger dressing or a touch of sesame oil and a garnish of sesame seeds. Alternatively, elevate their taste with a drizzle of yum yum sauce.
For a seasonal variation, toss the beans with red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, and balsamico.

Serving Suggestions

These buttery sauteed garlic green beans have quickly become a favorite green bean recipe, bringing a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe to the dinner table. I love to serve them with this skillet balsamic chicken breast. And don’t forget the brown sugar pork chops! Green beans are undeniably delicious served with these grilled potato wedges, too, and a big juicy blue steak!

cooked green beans served in a bowl with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in your fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat them, simply add the green beans to a skillet and warm them over low heat. They will be slightly less crisp the second time around but still super delish!

More Beans Recipes

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4.95 from 17 votes

Skillet Garlic Butter Green Beans

by Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes

Skillet Garlic Butter Green Beans are buttery, crispy but tender, and add a gorgeous pop of fresh green to your plate. They're the perfect simple side dish!

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings:

Ingredients

▢ 2 tablespoons butter,, divided
▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ 1½ pounds green beans,, trimmed
▢ 1 tablespoon minced garlic
▢ ½ teaspoon salt,, or to taste
▢ fresh ground black pepper,, to taste
▢ ¼ cup water

Instructions

Melt 1 tablespoon butter and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat.
Stir in the green beans and cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes, or until beans start to char.
Stir in the garlic and salt and cook for about 20 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add water; cover and cook covered for 2 minutes, or until the beans are crisp tender and water has evaporated.
Remove lid and add remaining tablespoon of butter; stir around until melted.
Add cracked pepper and stir around; taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
Remove from heat and serve.

Nutrition

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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