Garlic Green Beans

Why You’ll Love It

Quick and easy: This recipe only takes about 15 minutes to make and you only need a few ingredients. If you like to eat green beans you’ll definitely be glad you found this recipe.
Free up oven space: It’s a side dish that’s sautéed in a pan, so you don’t need to use up precious oven space if making other dishes too.
Nutritious: The green beans are nutritious and garlic is healthy too.
Versatile: This easy recipe pairs with just about any main dish.
Tastes delicious: These delicious green beans are paired with butter and garlic for a simple yet flavorful side dish everyone will love. You’ll enjoy so much flavor from every bite.
Gluten free: This green bean side dish is naturally gluten free.

Garlicky Green Beans Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Fresh green beans: These are easy to find. Look for bright green beans which are firm and unblemished.
Butter: Use salted or unsalted. If using unsalted butter, add a small pinch of salt too.
Garlic cloves: Use fresh for the best result. You can use finely sliced garlic cloves or minced garlic. Garlic paste would work if that’s all you have.
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: This simple duo of seasonings is all you need for a delicious dish.

How to Make Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Steam the green beans: Add the green beans and water to a large skillet, cover and cook over a medium high heat for a few minutes. Remove the lid and cook until the water evaporates.
Add the remaining ingredients: Add the butter, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until the green beans are done to your liking, then serve warm.

Substitutions and Variations

Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Dairy-free: Swap the butter for coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil.
Make them zesty: Add lemon zest or a splash of lemon juice.
Add some cheese: Sprinkle with freshly shaved parmesan cheese to serve.
Use haricots verts: Like regular green string beans but thinner and longer, haricot verts (French green beans) can be used in their place. They’re tasty, earthy and similar in flavor to regular green beans.
Snow peas: Similar to green beans in terms of flavor, you can sub snow peas in this garlicky beans recipe.
An Asian flavor: Add a splash of soy sauce and some toasted sesame seeds to serve your fried green beans with an Asian dish.

Serving Suggestions

With an appetizer: Sauteed green beans would be tasty paired with arancini for a hot appetizer.
As a side dish: Enjoy these cooked green beans with an Italian steak or chicken stroganoff.
As part of a holiday meal: Certainly special enough to pair with a holiday dinner, you might like to serve them with pineapple glazed ham or smoked turkey breast.

How to Store Sauteed Green Beans

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze these in an airtight container for up to 3 months (the texture will change though – they won’t be crisp-tender anymore, just soft).
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm the green beans back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.