Looking for a simple and delicious vegetable side dish to complement your meals? Garlic butter green beans are a fantastic option! This easy-to-make recipe delivers vibrant green beans coated in rich, flavorful garlic butter that can elevate any dinner. Whether you’re serving them with chicken, steak, or fish, these green beans are sure to be a hit with your family and guests.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to make quick and easy garlic butter green beans that are both flavorful and visually appealing. Let’s dive right in!

Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Green Beans

Green beans are a nutritious and versatile vegetable that pairs well with virtually any dish. When sautéed with garlic and butter, their flavor profile reaches new heights. This recipe is:

Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes.
Flavorful: The garlic butter sauce makes each bite irresistible.
Healthy: Green beans are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making this a guilt-free treat.

Quick & Easy Garlic Butter Green Beans: A Simple and Flavorful Side Dish

Kev

These garlic butter green beans are a quick and flavorful side dish, sautéed in butter and olive oil with fresh garlic for a rich, savory taste. A touch of lemon juice adds brightness, making this dish a perfect complement to any meal.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Servings 4

Ingredients

Fresh Green Beans: About 1 pound of fresh green beans trimmed and washed.
Butter: 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. You can also use ghee for a dairy-free version.
Garlic: 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic minced (for the best flavor, use fresh garlic over garlic powder).
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon to help sauté the beans.
Lemon Juice: A teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice for a hint of brightness.
Salt & Pepper: To taste but these are essential for enhancing the flavor of the garlic butter sauce.
Optional Garnish: Freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and visual appeal.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans

Start by trimming the ends of the green beans. You can do this by snapping off the tough ends or using a knife. After trimming, rinse the beans thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Set them aside to drain.

Step 2: Blanch the Green Beans (Optional, But Recommended)

Blanching is an optional but highly recommended step to keep the green beans vibrant and slightly tender. To blanch the beans, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add the green beans and cook for about 2-3 minutes. The beans should turn bright green and be tender yet crisp. After blanching, immediately transfer the beans to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain the beans and set them aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic in Butter

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Once melted, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant, but be careful not to burn it.

Step 4: Cook the Green Beans

Add the prepared green beans to the skillet with the garlic butter mixture. Toss the beans gently to coat them evenly with the garlic butter. Sauté the green beans for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and slightly caramelized.

Step 5: Add Seasoning

Once the green beans are cooked to your desired tenderness, season them with salt and pepper to taste. For an added layer of flavor, drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice, and toss to combine.

Step 6: Optional Garnish

For an extra touch of flavor and color, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or a bit of grated Parmesan cheese over the beans before serving.

Notes

Use Fresh Green Beans: Fresh green beans have the best flavor and texture for this recipe. If you’re in a pinch, you can use frozen green beans, but fresh is always preferred.

Adjust the Garlic: If you love garlic, feel free to add extra minced cloves. You can even roast the garlic for a milder, sweeter flavor.

Customize with Other Herbs: For a unique twist, add herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to the garlic butter sauce.

Make It Spicy: If you like a little heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic.

Serve with Protein: These garlic butter green beans pair wonderfully with a variety of proteins like chicken, pork, or beef. They also make a perfect side for holiday meals.

Nutritional Benefits of Garlic Butter Green Beans

Garlic butter green beans not only taste amazing but also offer several nutritional benefits. Green beans are a great source of:

Vitamins A, C, and K: These vitamins play important roles in immune health, skin health, and bone health.
Fiber: Green beans are rich in fiber, which aids in digestion and helps keep you full longer.
Low in Calories: This dish is low in calories, especially if you use minimal butter or opt for a light butter substitute.

The garlic adds an additional health benefit by boosting the immune system, while the olive oil provides healthy fats.

Variations of Garlic Butter Green Beans

Garlic Butter Bacon Green Beans: Add crispy bacon bits for an extra savory element. Simply cook the bacon in the same skillet before adding the garlic and green beans.
Garlic Butter Almond Green Beans: Toasted almonds or slivered almonds can be added for some crunch and a nutty flavor.
Garlic Butter Green Beans with Mushrooms: For an earthy twist, sauté some mushrooms along with the garlic and green beans.
Garlic Butter Green Beans with Parmesan: For a cheesy version, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the cooked green beans.

Final Thoughts

Garlic butter green beans are a quick, easy, and flavorful side dish that will complement any meal. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a weeknight meal, or looking for a healthy side to serve at the holidays, this dish is sure to impress. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality side dish that’s packed with flavor and nutrients.

So, why not give this quick and easy garlic butter green beans recipe a try? Your taste buds (and your dinner guests) will thank you!