The BEST Sautéed Garlic Green Beans Recipe (Easy)
These garlic green beans aren’t your average side dish. Bursting with garlicky goodness and the perfect crunch in every bite, this quick and easy side will jazz up any meal! A gluten-free side dish ready in under 15 minutes!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
These are not the green beans from your childhood. Growing up, I did not like green beans or any kind of green bean recipe. At all. This skeptic girl was on a search for a whole new green bean approach.
Enter, Garlic Green Beans! Heated in a searing hot pan with olive oil, flash steamed, then finished with a little butter and lots of garlic, green beans finally won me over! Oh. My. Word. The smell. The taste! My new favorite side dish (with LOTS of flavor) was born.
These tender green beans have a bright, beautiful green color, perfect texture, and so much flavor. The snap crunch? Oh, the snap crunch! You can hear me chewing away on these from across the room. Perfectly crunchy, perfectly tender, perfectly flavored– a perfect side dish. The BEST!
This easy recipe will earn a spot in your regular rotation. It’s the kind of recipe that is simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but delicious (and pretty) enough for a holiday meal. It cooks up in less than 10 minutes and tastes great when served alongside any protein. Sometimes, I make a big huge pan of these just to snack on them. They’re that good!
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh Green Beans: My favorite green beans to use are haricots verts, which are long, thin green beans that are more tender and have a sweeter flavor. But any green beans will work– French green beans, etc.
- 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.
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Olive oil: You can use avocado oil, or even vegetable oil if that’s what you have on hand. I prefer to cook with extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
- Butter
- Cold water: This is for steaming. Alternatively, you can use refrigerated vegetable broth for extra flavor if desired.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 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.
- Add in the cold water, and cover the pan immediately. Allow the green beans to steam for 2-3 minutes. I like my green beans crunchy and al dente. Cook longer if you want them softer.
- Remove the lid, and continue to cook and stir the green beans until the remainder of the water has cooked away and evaporated.
- 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
- 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!
- Holiday season: If you’re interested in finding a new, delicious Thanksgiving menu side dishes (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! Put them on a pretty serving dish and watch them get gobbled up!
- Variations/Substitutions: I like tons of garlic in my sauteed green beans, but if it’s too much for you, you can lower the amount of garlic used. Alternatively, you can use a garlic butter mixture to throw in at the end if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is best, but if you’re out you can use garlic powder. About 1 teaspoon, or more to taste.
Storage Tips
Store leftover sautéed green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm, or in a skillet.
Recipe FAQS
Yes! With only 3 Net Carbs per serving, this is an excellent keto side dish! Plus, the garlic butter and oil is great for your macros.
You can! Store in an air-tight container that is freezer-safe for up to 6 months! Reheat in the microwave until warm, or in a skillet over medium heat.
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The BEST Garlic Green Beans Recipe
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
Expert Tips
- 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!
- Holiday season: If you’re interested in finding a new, delicious Thanksgiving menu side dishes (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! Put them on a pretty serving dish and watch them get gobbled up!
- Variations/Substitutions: I like tons of garlic in my sauteed green beans, but if it’s too much for you, you can lower the amount of garlic used. Alternatively, you can use a garlic butter mixture to throw in at the end if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is best, but if you’re out you can use garlic powder. About 1 teaspoon, or more to taste.
- 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.
59 Comments on “The BEST Sautéed Garlic Green Beans Recipe (Easy)”
I love crunchy green beans and yours look fantastic Natalie! Love how bright and green they look – not like those squishy brownish canned ones hehe. Yum, you’ve totally got me craving some garlicky green beans now :)
Mmm. Got me a big ol bag of frozen green beans from Costco. Think the frozen would taste as good? I love garlic!
I didn’t even know Costco had frozen green beans! I’m going to have to look next time I’m there, which is basically like twice a week. I think it would definitely work with frozen green beans. I would put them in frozen, and follow the rest of the directions. Let me know how it turns out : )
Thanks. I will. :)
I passed up some green beans the other day that were on sale because I’ve never found a recipe I love, and I’m with you, I think the squeak scarred me for life. But I think I’m ready Natalie!! It’s time! Beautiful photos, as always :)
You must try these Karen! I bet even your kids will love them. So good!
I have a huge fear of canned vegetables. The color–and concept just freak me out. Haha! On that note, these ones sound perfect!!
And I have to say, I love all the pictures. It’s so hard to capture cooking and steam pictures–amazing job!
I’m not a big fan of canned vegetables either. Maybe corn, maybe. And thank you for complimenting my photography Laura, HUGE compliment coming from you!
I LOVE green beans! We love them with garlic, too! They are so good in the summer when they’re fresh. Love this simple recipe!
I love green beans too! Like, I’ve made these twice in the past 5 days love. Thanks for always being so sweet Kelly : )
Ok. Somehow you made green beans look amazing!! That takes serious skill. I love green beans with garlic, especially skinny, crunchy ones!
You’re too sweet Rachel. But with green beans this tasty it’s not that hard : )
Love the simplicity of this dish, but big flavor! I have always loved green beans, even the canned kind. (don’t judge!) It’s my go-to veg!
Thanks Leah! You’re so nice. And never judge! Canned green beans are better than no green beans at all : )
I need to try green beand this way. They look so ffresh and delicious! : )
You must try this technique for cooking green beans Consuelo. You’ll love it : )
Ahh, I totally cannot stand soggy/soft green beans! They HAVE to be super crispy and green! I have a really similar recipe on my blog but mine’s like the Asian version of your version, haha
Crisp and bright green is a must! And I totally just went to you blog and searched for your green bean recipe because I’m so obsessed with green beans right now. They look delicious too! Love Asian flavors : )
These look like pure perfection. I agree on the butter and garlic, a complete must.
Thanks Kathy! You’re so nice. I think I’m finally figuring photography out. The missing link has been using a bounce board to reflect light on the other side of food. Made such a difference!
that’s exactly how I make them! great minds think alike :) I can’t stand the canned green beans and will never go back. crispy and garlicky it is!
I’m so glad you make them the “right” way! Great minds to think alike : )
Natalie you have solved the old age problem to eating green beans! They look so appetizing and I’m tempting to make some now!
You definitely need to make these Layla. They’re amazing!
Ummm….hello yum! Me and the hubs LOVE green beans and eat them every week. I am always on the lookout for a new way to eat them so I am allll over this. Love how simple it is.
I mean, butter.
Yes please!
Thanks Taylor! I hope you and your husband love them. But with garlic and butter on it, how can you not? They make everything better.
Yum I love anything with lots of garlic!
Me too! Luckily my husband does too, because I feel like my fingers always have a garlic scent from cooking with them so much. There needs to be a cure for that : )
Oh my gosh, fresh green beans make a huge difference! I know lots of people who turns their noses when they see green beans…that is until they have fresh. :D Garlic and green beans, yum!
Fresh green beans definitely make all the difference. Thanks Cindy!
I love how simple and delicious this recipe looks! I make a sweet & spicy green beans dish that this reminds me of – loads of flavor, simple ingredients, and super quick! beautiful pictures, too :)
Thanks Christine! Oooh, spicy green beans sound good too. I should add some red pepper flakes next time I cook these and give it a whirl. My husband would love that, he loves spicy food.
I agree with you 100%! Canned and frozen green beans are only sub-par— Fresh green beans is always the way to go! These green beans look absolutely stunning. :D
Glad you agree Sarah! Poor canned green beans, I feel bad for them when I walk past them at the grocery store. Little suckers never stood a chance, haha!
Wow!! you totally convinced me to try your beans :) garlic and butter sounds like a yummy combo and the crunch is exactly what I need, I am definitely going to have a happy husband when I make these, awesome recipe thanks :)
You’re too sweet Irinia. You must try this method of cooking green beans. You’ll be completely converted! And husbands love this side dish. If I look away for one second my mister is stealing green beans off my plate. Sneaky guy!
I made these today and they are soooooooooo yummy my husband asked me where I got the recipe and I said I found a wonderful site with great food so he wants to me make more food from your site it’s that good!!! Thanks for the site and all your recipes we love them!
I am SO glad you made these Irina! You just made my day, which I can always use on a Monday morning, ha! And I am so happy that your husband liked them too. Thank you for always commenting such nice things on my blog. You might be the nicest person on the internet. Seriously. Have a good week friend!
You had me at garlicky! I am dying over these beans. Want.
You poor thing. Squishy and squeaky beans are no good. I’m so glad you gave beans a second chance! We grew green beans in our garden last summer, and they were a hit with everyone. My boys love snapping the ends off!
Thanks Ashley! They’re so good. Your family would love this. We tried growing green beans this year, but I only did 1 little plant to test out how they would do, and that was definitely not enough. Will be growing many more this year. I love how the vines curl around everything they can reach.
Yum, these look delicious! Garlicky and buttery green beans are my idea of heaven- a lot more exciting than bland, boiled ones.. :)
Thanks Jessica! So much better than boiled green beans. After eating these, I’ll never boil green beans again : )
I cooked these, just added a little Braggs liquid aminos….best green beans ever
Yea! So happy to hear that Marilyn!