This is my go to recipe for the BEST Garlic Green Beans! Ready in minutes and loaded with tons of garlic flavor! These sautéed green beans come out perfectly tender and crisp. Perfect any time: weeknight or holidays!
Green veggies are hard to resist in my house! Try my Roasted Broccoli for an all-around classic that even kids love, and my Roasted Asparagus with Garlic Breadcrumbs has an addictive crunch!
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Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic
This has to be one of the easiest side dish recipes I’ve come up with to date! Garlic Green Beans are simple, tasty yet loaded with flavor.
There’s really not much to this recipe. You just sauté the green beans by themselves, then with the garlic, add a little water, cover, let them absorb, and season. This easy side dish recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes! If you want to save even more time, you can buy green beans that already have the ends cut off, and also buy minced garlic.
I love how fresh and healthy this Garlic Green Beans recipe is. There are only 3 main ingredients: green beans, garlic, and olive oil. The other ingredients are water, salt, and pepper. So simple, wholesome, and all of these ingredients are good for you!
Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic is the perfect side dish anytime you want to add some healthy vegetables to your table with ease. I prepare these on weeknights for my family, and also for holidays like Easter or Thanksgiving for an alternative to Green Bean Casserole.
Ingredients for Garlic Green Beans
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans are used in this recipe – not canned! Canned green beans would turn mushy so it’s best to use crunchy fresh ones. You can trim the ends off yourself or buy pre-trimmed green beans to save some time.
- Garlic: Garlic brings in a powerful delicious flavor to this recipe. It’s addictive! Save time by adding store-bought minced garlic from a jar.
- Olive oil: You can use either extra virgin olive oil or light-tasting olive oil if you’re not a fan of the flavor. Another healthy oil like avocado oil would work well too.
- Seasoning: Simple salt and pepper balance all of the ingredients perfectly.
How to make Garlic Green Beans
- Prep and sauté the green beans: Firstly, heat the olive oil over high heat in a large skillet. Prepare the green beans by cutting off any ends and washing them. Then add the green beans to the hot pan and cook until the green beans start to get some color on them, about 2-3 minutes. Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add water and cover: Next, pour in water, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the green beans are tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for Success
- Buy prepared vegetables: To cut down on time, I like to buy green beans with the ends already trimmed and a jar of pre-minced garlic. Then all I have to do is wash the green beans and throw it all together! This is a great idea when you’re cooking a big meal for a special occasion.
- Make sure the pan is hot: This will char the outside of the green beans slightly when you add them to the pan.
- Add more water to soften: If you find the green beans aren’t soft enough or aren’t a fan of a slight crunch, add a little water and cook the green beans for longer.
- Substitute the water for chicken broth or vegetable broth for even more flavor!
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing
- Storage: Store the green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat by sautéeing the green beans in a pan without adding water.
- Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What spices go well with green beans? There are plenty of herbs and spices that complement sautéed green beans with garlic well. Here are a few to try: onion powder, thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil, toasted sesame seeds, and sage.
- Can I add anything else? Yes! Nuts like walnuts add an amazing crunch (toss them in after cooking), and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese at the end is absolutely delicious on these garlic green beans. I also recommend a squeeze of lemon and chopped fresh parsley to finish!
- Should you blanch green beans before sautéing? There is no need to! These green beans cook perfectly when covered.
What To Serve With Garlic Green Beans
- Meatloaf
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
- Swedish Meatballs
- Chicken Marsala
- Chicken Shrimp Alfredo
- Beef Fried Rice
- Corn Pudding
- Coconut Curry Salmon
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Tuscan Salmon
- Chicken Parmesan
- Broccoli Quinoa Bake
- Shrimp and Grits
- Crockpot Meatballs
More vegetable side dishes you will love:
- Green Bean Casserole
- Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Honey Roasted Carrots
Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb green beans, washed and ends trimmed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup water
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add in green beans and cook over high heat until the green beans start to get some color on them 2-3 minutes.Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour in water, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the green beans are tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information
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Terri
This recipe was so quick and easy! We served it with your chicken Parm so good!