Garlic Butter Green Beans - 15-minute recipe (2024)

If you are new to cooking green beans, be sure to check out my guide on How To Boil Green Beans. Knowing the basics will help you make the best garlic butter green beans on your first try. And if you are a fan of air fryers, you might also like my Air Fryer Green Beans and Green Bean Fries in Air Fryer recipes.

If you are a fan of simple side dishes like this one, be sure to check out our library of Vegetable Side Dishes.

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Why Make This Recipe

Sautéed green beans with garlic is the perfect side dish that keeps on giving. Perfect for parties, holidays, and even weeknights, this easy stove-top recipe will astound you with its flavor and adaptability.

• This quick and easy green bean recipe uses just a handful of pantry-ready ingredients. Plus, you can even do most of the preparation in advance.
• Perfect green beans for a crowd, this savory side is one of the best green bean recipes for Thanksgiving dinner, potlucks, and parties. Double the recipe, and you’re good to go!
• This simple green bean recipe bursts with rich, grassy, and robust flavors. Even better, you can customize this versatile side dish with dozens of tasty toppings.

Ingredients

To make garlic string beans, gather fresh green beans, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, kosher salt, and black ground pepper. You can also add lemon zest if desired.

A Few Substitutions:

• Olive oil: I know the recipe is called garlic butter green beans, but an equal amount of olive oil can be used instead of butter.
• Fresh Garlic vs. Garlic Powder: I’ll be honest, fresh garlic cloves is the way to go but if you are in a pinch you can also use garlic powder.
• Butter: If you want to take things up a notch, you can also make this easy green bean dish with my garlic butter recipe.

How to Make?

Cooking green beans on the stove is a piece of cake when you have my foolproof guide. This garlic string beans recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes with seven basic steps.

1. Boil the saltwater: In a large pot, mix 2 tablespoons of salt into 3 quarts of water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Prepare the ice bath: Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Then, line a sheet pan with paper towels (or a clean kitchen towel) and set both aside.
3. Boil the green beans: Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook until crisp, tender and al dente (5 minutes).
4. Blanch the green beans: Transfer the green beans to the ice bath using a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Let them cool for about 5 minutes or until they reach room temperature. Then, drain the bowl and transfer the beans to the lined sheet pan. Dry them as much as possible.

5. Saute the garlic: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
6. Saute the green beans: Add the green beans and stir so that each stalk is fully coated with the butter mixture. Saute until the green beans are softened yet tender (2-3 minutes), being sure to turn them often.
7. Season & Serve: If desired, add the lemon zest one minute before the cooking is complete. Transfer the beans to a plate and serve.

Do I Have to Blanch Green Beans Before Sauteing?

No, you don’t have to blanch your green beans before sautéeing them. Blanching green beans—or boiling them for a short time before cooling them in an ice bath—often helps preserve the vegetable’s bright green color and crisp, tender texture. It also shortens the sauteing time. For this reason, I recommend blanching before cooking green beans with garlic and butter.

However, those who prefer not to blanch their green beans can saute their veggies without this extra step. With a full recipe for sautéed string beans with garlic, you can simplify your cooking process and still have a succulent side.

How to Season Green Beans?

Ever wonder how to make green beans more interesting? You’re not alone! Here are the most mouthwatering toppings to use when you want something to add to green beans for flavor.

• Add a squeeze of lemon juice or lemon zest to make lemon garlic green beans that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Nuts, sliced almonds, and pine nuts are classic additions to whole green beans. Add a nutty sweetness to your bland beans for delicious results.
• A drizzle of my go-to Lemon Vinaigrette will transform your dull green beans into a salad bursting with tangy flavor. You can even use vegan butter for an easy vegan recipe.
• Lemon Pepper is a good seasoning for green beans because it brightens their grassy notes with a citrusy zing.
• A sprinkle of parmesan cheese is just the ingredient to give your green beans a sharp, nutty flavor that no one can resist.

Make Ahead, Storage, & Reheating Instructions

Whether you want to cut down on preparation time or free up counter space, garlic butter green beans is the perfect dish to make ahead.

• Make ahead: To make ahead green beans for a crowd, parboil your green beans ahead of time, dry them off completely, and store them in the fridge in an airtight container. Then, right before serving, heat the butter and garlic in a large skillet. Add the green beans and stir until cooked through and thoroughly coated in the butter mixture.
• Store: If you have any leftover green beans (not sautéed), dry them off after parboiling and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. If they are sautéed, you don’t need to dry them off before storing them.
• Reheat: To reheat plain green beans, add a little bit of water to their container and microwave them for a few minutes until hot. You can also saute them with a tiny bit of water on the stovetop. If the green beans are sautéed, you don’t need to add water before reheating.

What to Serve it With?

One of my favorite things about this garlic green beans recipe is how it makes the perfect accompaniment with so many dishes. You can balance nearly any meal with this easy side dish.

• Meat-based main dishes: Nothing complements the hearty protein of my Instant Pot Pot Roast, Whole Roasted Chicken, and Baked Meatballs and Potatoes better than garlic green beans.
• Vegetarian meals: What pairs better with fresh green beans than other tasty veggies? Try serving pan-seared green beans alongside other scrumptious mains, like my Cauliflower Curry and Zucchini Lasagna.

Other Similar Recipes You Might Also Like:

Whether you are serving this simple side dish with your Thanksgiving turkey for your holiday meal or with Roast Chicken on a Tuesday night, it is guaranteed to impress. Below are a few other similar vegetable dishes you might enjoy:

• Sauteed Asparagus
• Whole Roasted Eggplants
• Baked Asparagus
• Sauteed Asparagus and Mushrooms
• Roasted Butternut Squash Cubes
• Roasted Delicata Squash

If you try this Garlic Butter Green Beans recipe or any other Vegetable Side Dishes on Foolproof Living, please take a minute torate the recipeand leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them onInstagramusing #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Garlic Butter Green Beans Recipe

Yields: 4 servings

Made in about 15 minutes, this Garlic Butter Green Beans is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or on any night of the week.

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 958IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg