Sautéed green beans with garlic butter is a classic and easy side dish! Made with 4 simple ingredients, it comes together in 10 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Sautéing or grilling veggies is a great way to prepare a quick, easy and healthy side dish that delivers big on flavor. From broccoli to asparagus to these sautéed green beans - this is one of the easiest ways to cook up your greens!
One pan, 10 minutes, and 4 ingredients is all that you’ll need to make these simple sautéed green beans. This is a comforting classic to come back to again and again! You can’t go wrong with garlic butter and green beans - in fact, this may even have some of your picky eaters enjoying their greens!
Reasons You'll love this recipe
- sautéed to tender perfection, these green beans are irresistibly delicious when paired with garlic butter and flaky sea salt
- they take just 10 minutes to make, and you only need 4 ingredients!
- they are simple and versatile - pair them with any protein option for a healthy and easy dinner
Ingredient Notes
- Green beans - we used fresh green beans, washed with ends trimmed. This recipe doesn’t work well with frozen green beans, as they will be mushy!
- Butter - salted butter is fine, but you may need to pull back on the salt. You could swap for olive oil or coconut oil for a dairy-free and vegan alternative.
- Garlic - use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor
- Flaky sea salt - if you don't have flaky sea salt, start with a few pinches of table salt. Taste and add more as needed
Step by Step directions
Steam
Add green beans and water to a 12-inch pan and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and keep at a simmer for 3 minutes.
Note - steaming the green beans first ensures that you end up with perfect, tender, green beans. If you don't have a covered pan, you can do this step in a pot!
Sautée
Remove the lid. If all water has evaporated, add butter and garlic right away. If there is still liquid in the pan, simmer uncovered for 1 minute to evaporate it off.
Make a space in the middle of the green beans. Add the butter and garlic and allow garlic to cook in the butter for at least 1 minute, or until starting to turn golden.
Serve
Toss beans in garlic and butter. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Enjoy!
FAQ
Unfortunately, this recipe requires fresh green beans. Frozen will end up mushy. I recommend saving frozen green beans for soups or skillet recipes where it's OK to have softer textures.
Sure, you could swap the butter for coconut oil or olive oil. Adjust the salt if needed.
Leftovers keep, and are great reheated. The beans do lose their 'crunch' a bit but they are still delicious.
Storage + reheating
- Fridge - green beans are best stored fresh, however, you may store sautéed green beans in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days after cooking.
- Reheating - reheat in the microwave until steaming hot.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans washed, ends trimmed
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter * see note 1
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt * see note 2
Instructions
- Steam - Add green beans and water to a 12-inch pan and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and keep at a simmer for 3 minutes.
- Sautée - Remove the lid. If all water has evaporated, add butter and garlic right away. If there is still liquid in the pan, simmer uncovered for 1 minute to evaporate it off.Make a space in the middle of the green beans. Add the butter and garlic and allow garlic to cook in the butter for at least 1 minute, or until starting to turn golden.
- Serve - Toss beans in garlic and butter. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Fridge - These beans are best stored fresh, however, you may store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating - reheat in the microwave until steaming hot.
Nutrition Information
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Erin says
This recipe is great! Took my water longer than 3 minutes to evaporate but the green beans came out perfectly.
Mercy-an says
I will surely try this. Steps are easy and ingredients are just around the kitchen. And of course, it looks delicious and nutritious. Thank you for sharing 🌸
Denise says
I hope you enjoyed!
Sandra says
Very good been trying to find a east green bean recipe other than boiling, stumbled onto your recipe and it was delish followed exactly and turned out GREAT!!!!! I just added sautéed bacon and onions. Going to do this from now on it takes the guessing out of when are they done. Thank you ❤️
Denise says
So happy to hear you enjoyed, Sandra! I appreciate you taking time out of your day to leave a review <3
Rhonda says
Frozen green beans work fine, just cook 2-3 minutes less.
Denise says
Great to hear, Rhonda!
Dana says
These sound delicious! I'm gonna try the green beans with trader joe's garlic butter and baked. Thank you for the idea, i never thought to put garlic with green beans!
Denise says
Hi Dana! That sounds yummy! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Alina Philip says
I made these with frozen beans and it was fine!
Denise says
I'm glad to hear they worked well for you! Thanks for reporting back, Alina!