Sautéed Green Beans (2024)

Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » 10-Minute Sautéed Green Beans

by Taesha Butler on Sep 2, 2021 (updated Aug 17, 2022)

Jump to Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Sautéed greens beans are a classic veggie side. They are a healthy addition to any meal and quick to make in just 10 minutes! This is my tried-and-true method for flavorful crisp green beans that is always a crowd pleaser.

Sautéed Green Beans (1)

Veggie-loading a meal can be as simple as adding a great veggie side to the table! These easy sautéed greens beans are the perfect thing to throw together on a busy night since they take minutes to make! Loaded with flavor and great textures, your meal will be made just a little better then you add these sautéed green beans to the menu!

This recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, Whole30, Paleo, and gluten-free.

Chef’s tips and tricks

  • Don’t overcook them! Nothing is worse than a mushy, overcooked green bean. Crisp and slightly tender beans is the goal. To achieve this, taste a bean or two during the cooking process. If it is too crispy for you, keep cooking, testing another green bean in a minute or two. Stop when your desired texture is reached.
  • Pull them from heat as soon as they are done cooking. Again, basically the only thing that can go wrong with this green bean recipe is overcooking. Even when you have turned the heat off on your stove, the burner and skillet will remain hot…continuing to cook the beans. And then your perfect sautéed green beans run the risk of going dark and mush. So, be sure to not only turn off the heat but use tongs remove the green beans from the hot skillet right away to keep those perfect green beans crisp and delish.
  • Add additional seasonings to make these sautéed green beans fit your personal taste. This recipe is flavorful and simple, but don’t be afraid to put your own twist on these veggies! See some tried-and-true seasoning pairings for green beans below.
Sautéed Green Beans (2)

Seasoning suggestions for green beans

This sautéed green bean recipe is simple and minimal for a reason: green beans need very little oomph to make them fantastic. But a little pizzazz is always welcome and these are some amazing things you could add to your green beans to make them extra exciting to sit down to at dinner time.

  • Bacon– cooked and chopped up sprinkled over the top *drool*
  • Basil– Fresh, finely chopped and sprinkled over the top right before serving
  • Butter– I mean, butter makes everything taste better…green beans included.
  • Cheese– basically any kind you have on hand but Parmesan cheese is especially yum on top of sautéed green beans.
  • Ginger– a little fresh ginger grated over these beans will totally level up the flavor for you ginger lovers!
  • Lemon– zest, juice or both!
  • Onions– sauté some up to serve with the green beans or get extra fancy and caramelize some onions to top this recipe with.
  • Parsley– chop and sprinkle over the top before serving
  • Vinegar– any kind carefully splashed over these green beans once cooked will add a lovely dimension of flavor.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen green beans?

You can, but here are a few tips.

  • Thaw then first and drain off the extra water before cooking.
  • Know the texture won’t be the same as fresh. Sautéed frozen green beans are good, but they do have a very different texture than fresh. So just know to expect that.
  • Use long frozen green beans over cut green beans. They just do better!

How can I store leftover sautéed green beans?

Sautéed green beans are best when enjoyed shortly after cooking. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them for future meals. Let them cool complete and then store in an air tight container in the fridge for about 3 days. The color of the beans might change after be stored, but they will still be delicious!

Other easy veggie sides to add to the dinner table

Loving this green recipe and now you’re hungry for more?

Sign up so that my newsletter is deliveredstraight to your inbox. And be sure to follow me onFacebook,PinterestandInstagramfor all kinds of veggie-loaded and healthy living ideas!

Sautéed Green Beans (3)

Sautéed Green Beans (4)

5 from 1 vote

10-Minute Sautéed Green Beans

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Cuisine: American

Course: Side Dish

Sautéed greens beans are a classic veggie side. They are a healthy addition to any meal and are easy to quick to make in just 10 minutes! This is my tried-and-true method for flavorful crisp green beans that is always a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound fresh green beans
  • 1/4 cup water or broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Instructions

  • Wash and trim the green beans.

  • In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

  • Once the garlic has been cooked, add green beans and water/broth to the skillet and cover. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Cook green beans for about 5 minutes or until they are bright green and slightly tender.

  • Remove lid and continue to cook bean for about 2 more minutes or until water/broth has cooked off.

  • Season with salt, tossing to coat the beans. Taste and add more salt if desired.

  • Remove from heat immediately and enjoy warm.

Calories: 68kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 153mg, Potassium: 245mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 783IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 1mg

originally published on Sep 2, 2021 (last updated Aug 17, 2022)

0 commentsLeave a comment »

Leave a comment & rate this recipe

Sautéed Green Beans (2024)

FAQs

What adds flavor to green beans? ›

Butter: A bit of butter adds a rich flavor and helps the seasoning stick to the green beans. Seasoned salt: Buy seasoned salt from the store, or make your own seasoned salt at home. Chili powder: This is an unexpected knockout seasoning. Chili powder adds a touch of spice and color without being too overpowering.

Why are my sauteed green beans tough? ›

Why are my sautéed green beans tough? They would only be tough if they were undercooked. By briefly simmering them, then sautéing the green beans, they're perfectly crisp tender, and flavorful.

How to make Paula Deen green beans? ›

Add green beans to pan and sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add boiling water to pan and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, just until beans are tender. Add vinegar, butter and salt and pepper and stir.

How can I make my beans more flavorful? ›

Add Aromatics (and Some Salt)

We're talking onions, shallots, garlic, and chiles. Or maybe some fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, bay leaves, and thyme. This is where the flavor really starts to build. Salt the liquid again (lightly) after about an hour of simmering.

Why cut off ends of green beans? ›

The only part of the bean that always needs to be removed is the tip of the stem end (this is sometimes called "topping" the bean), where the pod was once attached to the rest of the plant. There is no practical need to remove the tail end of a green bean—the choice to do so is aesthetic.

Can you overcook green beans? ›

Don't overcook them!

Nothing is worse than a mushy, overcooked green bean. Crisp and slightly tender beans is the goal. To achieve this, taste a bean or two during the cooking process. If it is too crispy for you, keep cooking, testing another green bean in a minute or two.

How to make green beans less bitter? ›

Blanch Them

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Why cook green beans in baking soda? ›

Your Beans Will Cook Faster

Well, creating an alkaline (or basic) environment by adding a small amount (about 1 teaspoon per cup of dry beans) of baking soda to your soaking/cooking water can actually help your beans cook faster.

How to cook green beans Jamie Oliver? ›

Put a pan of salted water on to boil. Meanwhile, trim the the beans. Once the water is boiling, steam or boil the beans until tender. Drain well, then tip the cooked beans into the bowl with your dressing and toss everything together, making sure all the beans get coated.

Why do you ice bath green beans? ›

To keep those green beans, broccoli, asparagus, or leafy greens really green, submerge them in an ice water bath the moment you pull them out of the boiling water. This will keep them vibrantly green with a pleasing snap.

How do you enhance the flavor of canned beans? ›

You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper.

How to get bitterness out of green beans? ›

Blanch Them

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

What makes green beans so good? ›

The vegetable helps fight inflammation and is a good source of folate and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Green beans also are a good source of protein and fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, Vadiveloo said. "Fiber is underconsumed by U.S. adults and children, and it's good for gut health," she said.

How do you balance green beans? ›

To blanch green beans, fill a large pot of water, set over high heat, and bring it to a boil. Salt the water (per quart of water, estimate a tablespoon of kosher salt), which will bring the green beans to life and enhance their flavor. Once the water is boiling, add the beans and cook for two to three minutes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 6304

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.