
Simple Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic
Fresh green beans quickly sautéed with garlic and a touch of butter or olive oil. A classic, easy side dish perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- •1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- •3 large garlic cloves, minced
- •1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
- • to taste salt
- • to taste freshly ground black pepper
- •2 tablespoon water or vegetable broth (optional)
- •1 lemon wedge (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- 1
Wash the green beans thoroughly. Trim off the stem ends of each bean. You can leave the tail ends on or trim them as well, according to preference.
- 2
Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the butter or olive oil and let it melt or shimmer.
- 3
Add the trimmed green beans to the hot skillet. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are bright green and start to become tender-crisp. They should still have a slight bite.
- 4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the green beans. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
- 5
If you prefer softer beans or if they seem too dry, add 2 tablespoons of water or vegetable broth to the skillet. Cover the pan and let the beans steam for 1-2 minutes, or until they reach your desired tenderness. Remove the lid and let any remaining liquid evaporate.
- 6
Season the green beans generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss to ensure even coating.
- 7
Transfer the Simple Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic to a serving dish. If desired, serve with a lemon wedge on the side for a fresh squeeze of citrus.
Chef's Tips
- 💡Do not overcrowd the pan; if cooking a larger batch, sauté the beans in two separate batches to ensure they cook evenly and brown nicely.
- 💡For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a subtle kick.
- 💡Keep the beans crisp-tender for the best texture. Overcooking will make them mushy and lose their vibrant color.
- 💡If using frozen green beans, thaw them first and pat dry before adding to the skillet to prevent excess water from steaming them.
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