Table of Contents
These garlic green beans are blanched until bright and tender, then tossed in garlicky melted butter for a 20-minute side that goes with everything.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 👩🍳 Recipe Tips | 🥗 Serving Suggestions | 📝Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Side Dish Recipes
At A Glance
- ⏱ Ready In: 20 minutes
- 🍽 Serves: 4–6
- 🌱 Diet: Vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb
- 💪 Nutrition Highlights: Low-calorie, fiber-rich green vegetable side
- 🥕 Main Ingredients: Green beans, butter, garlic, salt, black pepper
- 🔥 Flavor Profile: Buttery, garlicky, fresh, and simple
- 🧊 Meal-Prep Friendly: Keeps 3 days in the fridge, reheats easily in a skillet
- Best Served With: Roast chicken, ham, fish, or any Sunday dinner
This is the green bean recipe I make when I want something simple enough for a weeknight dinner but still good enough to belong on a holiday table.
Blanching the beans first keeps them bright green and just tender, so they hold their bite instead of going limp. Then a quick toss in garlicky melted butter is really all they need — no fussing, no extra steps. It’s the kind of side that disappears fast, even with people who claim they’re not big green bean fans. I love that it only takes 20 minutes start to finish (can be done in parallel with other dishes!), which makes it an easy add to a busy roast dinner without taking up valuable stovetop time.
👩🍳 You might also like these green bean recipes: French style green beans, creamy green beans, green beans almondine with sage brown butter, sautéed green beans & mushrooms, green bean and potato salad, or these green bean recipes.
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need for this garlic green beans recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Green beans – fresh is best for color and crunch; trim the ends before cooking
- Butter – unsalted, so you can control the seasoning; it’s what gives the beans that glossy, rich coating
- Garlic – fresh minced garlic for the best flavor; don’t let it cook too long, or it’ll turn bitter
- Salt and black pepper – all you need to season
- Optional add-ins: lemon zest or lemon juice, almond flakes, ginger or chili.
How To Make Garlic Green Beans
Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for how to make garlic and butter green beans.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the green beans and blanch for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and just tender.
- Drain immediately and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and stir for 10–15 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add the green beans to the skillet.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Toss and cook for 3–5 minutes, until glossy and evenly coated.
- Remove from heat and serve warm.
Recipe Tips/Variations
- Don’t skip the blanching step — it’s what keeps the beans bright green and tender-crisp instead of dull and overcooked.
- Watch the garlic closely once it hits the butter; it only needs 10–15 seconds to turn fragrant before it starts to burn.
- A pinch of paprika or a little extra butter at the end takes this up a notch if you want more flavor.
- Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days — reheat gently in a skillet or the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
These garlic green beans are an easy side for pretty much any dinner. Serve them alongside ham, chicken, fish or a Sunday roast, and they’re a natural fit for Easter or Thanksgiving tables. They also pair really well with something creamy, like mashed or scalloped potatoes, to balance out the garlicky butter.
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A simple side dish of crisp-tender green beans tossed in garlic butter, ready in just 20 minutes. Find step-by-step photos and more recipe tips above.
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Add the green beans and blanch for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and just tender.
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Drain immediately and set aside.
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Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add the garlic and stir for 10–15 seconds, until fragrant.
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Add the green beans to the skillet.
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Season with salt and black pepper.
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Toss and cook for 3–5 minutes, until glossy and evenly coated.
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Remove from heat and serve warm.
Key Recipe Tips: Don’t overcook the garlic, and don’t skip blanching for the best texture and color.
Storage Tips: Fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.
Make-Ahead Tips: Blanch the beans ahead of time and store in the fridge; just toss in the garlic butter when ready to serve.
FAQs:
Can I use frozen green beans? Yes — thaw and pat dry first, then cook as directed.
Can I add extra flavor? Yes — a pinch of paprika or extra butter works well.
Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg