TheCookbook.ai

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.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 8 min
Total Time: 18 min
Servings: 4
AmericanMediterraneanVegetarianPescatarianGluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeFish-FreeSesame-FreeSugar-Free

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. 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. 2.

    Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the butter or olive oil and let it melt or shimmer.

  3. 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. 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. 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. 6.

    Season the green beans generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss to ensure even coating.

  7. 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.

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.

Recipe from TheCookbook.ai

Created by McKenzie