These garlicky green beans aren’t your average side dish. Bursting with hints of garlic and the perfect crunch in every bite, this quick and easy garlic green beans recipe side will jazz up any meal! A gluten-free side dish ready in under 15 minutes!

fresh green beans cooking in garlic and butter in a cast iron skillet this recipe

What Makes This Recipe Great

These are not the green beans from your childhood. Growing up, I did not like green beans. At all. This skeptic girl was on a search for a whole new green bean approach. Heated in a searing hot pan with olive oil, flash steamed, then finished with a little butter and freshly minced garlic, green beans finally won me over! Oh. My. Word. The smell. The taste! My new favorite side dish was born.

Bright green and beautiful. And the snap crunch? Oh, the snap crunch! You can hear me chewing away on these from across the room. Perfectly crispy, perfectly tender, perfectly flavored. The BEST!

It’s your new side dish best friend. It cooks up in less than 10 minutes and tastes great served alongside any protein. Sometimes, I make a big huge pan of these just to snack on them. They’re that good!

Ingredient Notes

ingredients to make garlic green beans

Fresh Green Beans: My favorite green beans to use are haricot verts, which are long, thin green beans that are more tender and have a sweeter flavor. But any green beans will work.

Frozen Green Beans: You can use frozen green beans. I would thaw the green beans and then skip step 2 since the green beans have already been steamed during the freezing process.

Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is best, but if you’re out you can use garlic powder. About 1 teaspoon, or more to taste.

Recipe Step by Step

how to make garlicky green beans side by side photo
  1. Heat a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add in the olive oil, green beans, salt, and pepper. Turn green beans constantly until they turn bright green and begin to get a few little brown spots on them from cooking. About 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add in the cold water, and cover the pan immediately. Allow the green beans to steam for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Remove the lid, and continue to cook and stir the green beans until the remainder of the water has cooked away and evaporated. 
  4. Turn the heat to low. Add in the butter and garlic. Toss and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Serve warm.

Expert Tips

Storing: Leftover sauteed green beans will keep in an airtight container refrigerated for at least 5 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm, or in a skillet.

Meal Prep: This is such a good meal prep side. Move over broccoli, there’s a new garlicky green meal prep veggie that’s even tastier! Make a big batch and add to your meal prepped protein for the week!

Holidays: If you’re interested in finding a new, delicious Thanksgiving side dish (or any holiday for that matter), these garlic green beans are a great option! They may not be your traditional green bean casserole, but they are healthy, keto-friendly, and absolutely mouth-watering delicious!

fresh green beans in a cast iron skillet

FAQS

Are these garlic green beans keto-friendly?

Yes! With only 3 Net Carbs per serving, this is an excellent keto side dish!

Can I freeze this garlicky green beans recipe?

You can! Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 6 months! Reheat in the microwave until warm, or in a skillet over medium heat.

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close up of green beans cooking in cast iron skillet with garlic and butter

The BEST Garlicky Green Beans

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
These garlicky green beans aren't your average side dish. Bursting with hints of garlic and the perfect crunch in every bite, this quick and easy garlic green beans recipe side will jazz up any meal! A gluten-free side dish ready in under 15 minutes!
5 from 3 ratings
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Ingredients 
 

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt & pepper
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Heat a large skillet with a tight fitting lid over medium heat. Add in the olive oil, green beans, salt and pepper. Turn green beans constantly until they turn bright green and begin to get a few little brown spots on them from cooking. About 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the water, and cover pan immediately. Allow the green beans to steam for 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove the lid, and continue to cook and stir the green beans until the remainder of the water has cooked away and evaporated.
  • Turn heat to low. Add in the butter and garlic. Toss and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Serve warm.
  • See the Recipe Notes below for more tips, FAQ's and recipe substitutions.

Notes

Green Beans: My favorite green beans to use are haricot verts, which are long, thin green beans that are more tender and have a sweeter flavor. But any green beans will work.
Frozen Green Beans: You can use frozen green beans. I would thaw the green beans and then skip step 2 since the green beans have already been steamed during the freezing process.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is best, but if you’re out you can use garlic powder. About 1 teaspoon, or more to taste.
Storing: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container refrigerated for at least 5 days, or frozen for at least 6 months. Reheat in the microwave until warm, or in a skillet.
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish
Author: Natalie
Calories: 84, Total Carbs: 8.6g, Protein: 2.2g, Fat: 5.5g, Fiber: 3.1g, Net Carbs: 6g
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