Made with garlic, lemon, and butter, these sautéed green beans are a welcome addition to any meal! They’re bright, colorful, and ready in just 20 minutes.
Growing up, some variation of green beans was often on our dinner table. Whether we ate them steamed, roasted, or sautéed, my mom always served them with butter, salt, and pepper to keep it simple. We’re kicking versatile green beans up a notch with today’s recipe for sautéed green beans with lemon for brightness and garlic for flavor.
These vibrant green beans come together quickly and easily in one pan on the stovetop. After lots of recipe testing, 7-10 minutes is the perfect cook time – any longer and the beans will be mushy! You’ll know they’re done when they are just starting to turn bright green and still have a bite or crunch to them.
What You Need for Sautéed Green Beans
Just 7 simple ingredients needed for this veggie side:
- Green beans
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt + pepper
- Butter
- Lemon juice
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Sautéed Green Beans Variations
While you can’t go wrong with classic lemon + garlic flavor, green beans are totally versatile. Jazz up sautéed green beans with any of these ingredient combinations:
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Cast Iron Pan
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FAQ
Should you use fresh or frozen green beans?
When it comes to making sautéed green beans we ALWAYS recommend using fresh green beans. Most frozen green beans actually come pre-cooked or at least partially cooked and can end up super mushy.
Using fresh green beans guarantees crispy, bright green beans.
What is the best way to trim green beans?
There are 2 simple ways to trim green beans. We love using a pair of kitchen scissors to cut the ends off or you can use a sharp knife.
What kind of oil is best for sautéing green beans?
Olive oil and avocado oil are our go-to oils when it comes to sautéing green beans. They are mild in flavor and have the perfect smoke point.
You can also try vegetable oil, sesame oil. or canola oil, too.
What can you add to green beans for flavor?
We love adding freshly minced garlic and salt to green beans to give them flavor, but feel free to mix in any pre-made spice mix or soy sauce for a little something different.
Can you sauté green beans without blanching them?
Yes, you can sauté green beans without blanching them! While blanching the beans helps them cook faster, it adds a second step that we don’t find necessary.
Storage
Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Warm green beans in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop.
We don’t recommend freezing sautéed green beans as the texture can become grainy when frozen, thawed, and reheated.
Serving Suggestions
These bright and colorful sautéed green beans add a pop of freshness to any meal. They’re a delicious addition to holiday menus and are simple enough to whip up on busy weeknights. Pair them with our one-pot hamburger helper, baked lemon chicken, pizza quinoa casserole, or any hearty dinner recipe!
Photography: photos taken in this post are by Ashley McGlaughlin from The Edible Perspective.
