This easy garlic green beans recipe takes just 20 minutes and only 4 simple ingredients, including salt. Fresh green beans are tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce for a quick side dish with very little effort and plenty of flavor.
A good side dish can make any meal feel more complete, and these garlic green beans are the kind of recipe you will want to keep in your regular dinner rotation. They are simple enough for a weeknight meal, but flavorful enough to serve with a holiday dinner, Sunday roast, or special family gathering.
The best part is how quick and practical this recipe is. You only need fresh green beans, butter, garlic, and salt. The green beans are briefly cooked until tender, then tossed in melted butter with fragrant minced garlic. The result is a bright, buttery, savory vegetable side that pairs beautifully with turkey, roasted chicken, baked salmon, lasagna, falafel, or almost any main dish you enjoy.
Garlic green beans ingredients:
This recipe keeps the ingredient list short and useful. You do not need a long list of seasonings to make green beans taste delicious. The garlic butter does most of the work, coating each bean with a rich, savory flavor while still letting the freshness of the vegetable come through.
• Green beans
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt
That is all you need for a fast, flavorful green bean side dish. Use fresh green beans for the best texture, and trim the ends before cooking. Unsalted butter gives you better control over the final seasoning, while finely minced garlic blends into the butter and coats the beans evenly.
How to reheat green beans:
Garlic green beans are best served fresh from the skillet, but they can still be reheated if you have leftovers or if you want to prepare them a little ahead of time. The easiest way to bring them back to life is with a small amount of extra butter in a skillet.
Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter has melted, add the cooked green beans and toss them gently for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are warmed through. Try not to overcook them during reheating, especially if you prefer green beans with a little bite.
Recipes to enjoy with these green beans:
These garlic butter green beans work with many different main dishes because the flavor is simple, savory, and versatile. Serve them with herb roasted chicken and potatoes for a comforting dinner, lemon garlic baked salmon for a lighter meal, baked chicken Parmesan for an Italian-inspired plate, falafel for a vegetarian option, or beef lasagna when you want a green vegetable on the side.
If you liked these garlic green beans, check out some of these other sides!
If you enjoy easy vegetable side dishes, you may also like garlic herb roasted potatoes, a quick cucumber salad, garlic skillet broccoli, or classic mashed potatoes. Simple sides like these are useful for everyday dinners, holiday meals, and last-minute menus because they use basic ingredients and do not require complicated preparation.
Garlic Green Beans Recipe
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- Author: Mimi
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 people (approx.)
Description
This easy garlic green beans recipe is a quick side dish made with fresh green beans, butter, garlic, and salt. The beans are cooked until tender, then tossed in warm garlic butter for a simple vegetable dish that is fresh, savory, and ready in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, washed and trimmed
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are softened to your liking. Drain the beans and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown, because browned garlic can taste bitter.
- Add the green beans to the skillet and toss them in the garlic butter until evenly coated and warmed through. Season with salt to taste, then serve warm.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Enjoy!