Garlicky Skillet Green Beans
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These crisp-tender Garlic Skillet Green Beans are perfectly browned and then tossed in a buttery garlic sauce at the end. With only 3 main ingredients, they’re easy to make and done in minutes.
“A quick, easy way to make green beans that everyone loves!” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Carla
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s fast. Garlic Green Beans are done from start to finish in less than 15 minutes. This makes them a perfect side dish for busy weeknights.
- It’s easy. You’ll only be working with one pan and 3 main ingredients.
- All ages ’em. The flavor is simple enough for younger eaters to not be offended by but flavorful enough for the seasoned eater to enjoy. Feel free to pull back on the garlic, if desired.
Ingredients Needed
The ingredients you need are incredibly simple.
- Green Beans – Fresh green beans are necessary for this recipe. Canned or frozen won’t work.
- Garlic – To save time, I almost always buy pre-minced garlic. I can’t tell the difference.
- Butter – This is for the sauce at the end.
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make Garlic Green Beans
Trim the Green Beans
To make trimming green beans quick and easy, line up several green beans on a cutting board. Slice the tough ends off. Flip them around and do the same thing on the other end of the beans.
Sauté the Green Beans
Preheat oil in a large pan. It should be hot but not smoking. Add the green beans to the pan and give them a toss so the oil covers them. Lightly salt and pepper them and sauté the beans for about 4-5 minutes, until they start to get a little brown.
Steam the Green Beans
Add a little water to the skillet and cover it with a lid. You will want the green beans to steam for about 2 minutes. Remove the lid and let the rest of the water evaporate.
Add the Butter and Garlic
Stir in the butter, garlic, and a little more salt. Toss the beans in the sauce for about 1 minute. The garlic will start to become fragrant but should not be getting too brown.
Remove from heat.
Serve and Enjoy!
Garlic Green Beans like to be eaten right away. Don’t wait too long or they will begin to shrivel up a bit. I tossed mine with some bacon bits but this is totally optional. Serve alongside our Oven Roasted Turkey Breast or Savory Chicken for a delicious meal!
Add-Ins & Variations
Because this recipe is so basic, there are lots of ways to mix it up. Here are some ideas:
- Bacon: Top the beans with some cooked and crumbled bacon. Here is a bacon-cooking hack you must use!
- Lemon: Add some fresh lemon juice or a touch of lemon zest over the green beans.
- Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over beans.
- Almonds: Sprinkle some toasted almonds over the top. This adds some amazing texture and flavor.
- Add a touch of soy sauce: This adds depth to the flavor.
- Maple syrup: Add just a touch at the end of cooking for a delicious combo of sweet & savory. This is especially good if you are adding bacon!
Recipes That Pair with Skillet Green Beans
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Garlicky Skillet Green Beans
This will become a go-to side dish. It is easy to make and done in minutes. The green beans are perfectly browned and then tossed in a buttery, garlic sauce at the end that will have you crawling back for more.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- Optional garnish: crumbled, cooked bacon
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Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat until shimmery.
- Add the green beans in and lightly season with salt and pepper. Sauté the green beans for about 4 minutes, until you start to see some browning.
- Add water to skillet and cover with a lid. Let steam for about 2 minutes until the green beans are bright green.
- Remove the lid and once water has fully evaporated, add in the butter, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt (note: use a little less salt, if using salted butter). Stir the green beans around for about 1 minute, until garlic starts to become fragrant.
- Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm.
Easy way to make green beans delicious
Thanks for the review, Amber!
Simple and delicious.
Thanks for the review, Morgan!
My family loved these. Butter, garlic and salt is a simple yummy combo. My daughter cried when she found out I had eaten them all. (In my defense I did give her some more before I ate the rest.) We ate them with the Italian Baked Chicken Thighs.
Ha! You know it’s good when someone is mad about there not being any left. Thanks for leaving a review Julie!
Going to make for passover dinner, without bacon, but I think it will be delicious addition to meal. Thanks
I think it will be a delicious addition to your meal as well Sandy! 🙂 Glad you found it.
Quick, easy way to make green beans that everyone loves!