Sautéed Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves
minced
- 1 pound green beans
trimmed
- Salt and black pepper
- 1/2 lemon
Directions
- 1
Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet (with a lid) over medium heat. Add the garlic and swirl into the butter mixture until fragrant, about 1 minute. You don’t want the garlic to take on much color, just to become tender.
- 2
Add the green beans and toss well, until they’re coated in the butter and garlic mixture. Cover and cook for about 2 minutes (the beans will begin to steam and will brighten in color to a more lively green), then remove the pan from the heat, uncover and toss again. (The goal is to make sure all the beans have an opportunity to make contact with the bottom of the pan.) Return the covered pan to the heat and cook, tossing every so often, until the beans are tender and cooked through but with a bit of a snap, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Sautéed Green Beans
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 1,132 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Tired of lackluster steamed green beans? Discover how to transform simple green beans into a vibrant, garlicky side dish that’s ready in just minutes, without a giant pot of boiling water. This method delivers restaurant-quality texture and flavor with minimal fuss, making it a perfect addition to any weeknight meal.
The secret to these exceptional green beans lies in a smart cooking technique. By using a combination of butter and olive oil, the beans gently sauté while simultaneously releasing their natural water content to create a delicate steaming effect right in the pan. This dual approach ensures they become perfectly tender, yet retain their satisfying snappy bite, all while developing a beautiful golden hue.
What you'll experience is a side dish that's wonderfully vibrant and bursting with fresh flavor. The green beans are snappy yet perfectly tender, coated in a luscious, garlicky sauce that forms right in the pan. The fresh garlic provides a subtle sweetness and depth, while a final squeeze of lemon brightens every bite, creating a balanced and incredibly satisfying taste. This effortless preparation makes a truly elegant companion to your main course.
While fresh garlic is always preferred for its superior flavor and texture, this recipe is adaptable. You can easily substitute with granulated garlic or garlic powder if that’s what you have on hand, adjusting the amount to your taste. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes could be added with the garlic. You can also experiment with different finishing herbs like fresh parsley or dill, stirred in just before serving.
These versatile sautéed green beans make an ideal partner for a variety of main courses. Serve them alongside elegant baked fish, a classic steak au poivre, or with some simple roasted or grilled chicken for a perfectly balanced meal.