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Whenever you need a quick and convenient side dish, why not try sautéed green beans cooked with butter and garlic? This fast and simple recipe for sautéed green beans is uncomplicated yet still delicious and tender, a perfect way to add some greens to your meal.
Sautéed Green Beans
Green beans have a reputation for being reserved only for holidays, as they are extremely popular in Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes. However, green bean season is in the summer, so it’s the best time to enjoy them fresh! For more tasty green bean recipes, why not try this one for Green Beans Almondine or this one for Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles?
Karlynn’s Cooking Tips
Remove your green beans from the pan earlier if you like them a little firm. I prefer soft and tender green beans, which tend to soak up the butter and garlic flavor better.
It is best to cook the beans whole, as the little beans inside the pod tend to fall out from the middle portions when cut and cooked.
How to Make Sautéed Green Beans
- Heat the water in a skillet over medium-high heat on the stove.
- Add in the green beans. Quickly steam the beans until the water has evaporated, turning to cook all sides.
- Melt the butter in the pan with the beans. Fry the beans until they are just tender and crisp. Add in the garlic.
- Sauté the beans, stirring, until they are softened and the garlic is browned, about 2 minutes more.
- Remove and serve. Drizzle lemon juice over the top if desired.
Quick Steam for Tender Beans
A quick steam at the beginning of sautéeing the beans yields tender, soft beans. The outside of the beans can fry up faster than the inside cooks, so that quick little steam at the start means that you get a lovely browned outside and a hot, soft inside!
How To Store Sautéed Green Beans
These are always best when eaten as soon as they are served. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in your fridge for up to two days. Just reheat them in the microwave and enjoy.
Happy Cooking
Love,
Karlynn
More Green Bean Recipes
Sautéed Green Beans
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 10 minutes
- Course
- Side Dish
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 88
- Author
- Karlynn Johnston
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 pound fresh green beans cleaned and trimmed
- 2-3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- freshly ground salt and pepper to taste
- lemon wedge
Instructions
- Heat the water in a skillet over medium high heat on the stove. Add in the green beans. Quickly steam the beans until the water has evaporated, turning to cook all sides.
- Melt the butter in the pan with the beans. Fry the beans until they are just tender crisp. Add in the garlic.
- Sauté the beans, stirring, until they are softened and the garlic is browned, around another 2 minutes.
- Remove and serve. Drizzle lemon juice over the top if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Lemon brings a bright, fresh flavor to green beans, and I love a quick spritz of fresh lemon juice on top before serving.
Nutrition Information
All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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