These sautéed green beans with garlic are a breeze to make – ready in just 25 minutes with only 6 ingredients! It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
This dish is one of my go-to sides because it’s fresh and pairs perfectly with almost anything. If you’re looking for other easy veggie ideas, try a sweet and sour vegetable stir fry or roasted cauliflower cteaks with creamy tahini sauce.
A fresh summer recipe or a side dish that pairs well with almost anything. Serve them with my 3-ingredient no-knead bread for a simple combo, or alongside crispy chicken schnitzel for a satisfying meal. They also complement this easy chicken in tomato sauce a 30-minute one-pan meal or salmon en papillote with fresh herbs for a light touch. You could also try these green beans, a dish that's a staple in Cantonese diners, usually served as a stir fry.
Jump to:
For your next meal, maybe you'll want to kick things off with a tasty vegan dish like simple low-calorie chickpea ratatouille or garlic and bean dip with tomato sauce – both light and flavorful. Then, warm up with a cosy bowl of high-protein lentil soup. And don’t forget dessert! Treat yourself to carrot cake banana bread – it’s sweet, simple, and delicious.
💭 Expert Tip
Prep ahead! Boil the snap beans, then cool, dry, and refrigerate. When it’s time to cook, just toss them with garlic and the other ingredients for 2 minutes—quick and easy side dish, done!
❣️ Why This Recipe Works
Quick, easy, and fresh! Perfect for busy days, this dish is ready in minutes and packed with flavour. A go-to side that’s always a hit, especially with my creamy chicken with spinach and peppers or my quick 30-minute lemon chicken!
🥘Ingredients to make Sautéed Green Beans
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities
- Onions: Whatever you’ve got works – white or yellow.
- Vegetable stock cube: It’s the secret to a rich, savoury taste.
- Green beans: Fresh or frozen – both are great!
- Garlic cloves (crushed or grated): Fresh garlic is a must for that amazing, bold taste.
- Parsley: A handful of chopped parsley (fresh or frozen!)
♻️ Substitutions
- Olive oil: butter, avocado oil, coconut oil.
- Onion: shallots, leeks, scallions.
- Vegetable stock cube: vegetable broth, homemade vegetable stock, water with seasoning.
- Green beans: snap peas or asparagus (sliced).
- Garlic cloves: garlic powder, garlic-infused olive oil.
- Parsley: cilantro (if you like a different herb), chives, basil or you can make this Chimichurri sauce recipe to serve it with.
📋 Variations
- Asian Twist: Add 1 teaspoon minced ginger, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Lemon Herb: Toss in zest of ½ lemon and swap parsley for fresh dill or basil.
- Spicy Kick: Add ½ teaspoon chilli flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a fiery kick!
🔪 How to make Sautéed Green Beans
Want something quick and tasty? This dish takes just 20 minutes to make! With easy steps and simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh side that goes with almost any meal. Another easy go-to is my cauliflower steaks with tahini sauce.
Step 1: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
Step 2: Stir in the vegetable stock cube, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Step 3: Add the beans and garlic to the skillet, then pour in 1 cup of hot water. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are tender yet still crisp.
Step 4: Top with chopped parsley and gently stir to combine. Transfer to a serving dish. Enjoy warm or chill for a cool, refreshing side on hot days.
Recipe Tip
Garlic Timing: Add the crushed or grated garlic halfway through cooking to prevent it from burning and maximize its aroma.
🥗 What to serve with Sautéed Green Beans
These side dishes are super versatile and delicious, perfect for easy meal prep. I love tossing them with pasta, serving them with my Lebanese rice and broken vermicelli, or my Turkish bulgur pilav. Or you can pair them with dishes like my easy-baked potato frittata with few ingredients, simple Turkish borek with meat and cheese, or creamy lemon garlic skillet chicken. For an Asian twist, add a bit of minced ginger and sesame seeds. Or, keep it simple and enjoy them on their own as a light, tasty meal!
❓ FAQs
To store, let the beans cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. When ready to eat, reheat them in a pan over medium heat or microwave for a quick, tasty side dish. Avoid freezing, as the texture may become mushy when thawed.
It depends on your preference! Steaming keeps them crisp and light while sautéing adds a richer, caramelized flavour. Sautéing is great if you want to infuse them with garlic, herbs, or spices.
Try garlic, lemon zest, toasted almonds, sesame seeds, chilli flakes, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or thyme also work wonders! For a kick of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while cooking. You can also mix in some chopped fresh chilli peppers. Or just drizzle some of my homemade Chimichurri sauce recipe.
Yes, blanching (boiling for 2-3 minutes, then cooling in ice water) helps keep them crisp-tender and vibrant before stir-frying.
Yes, trim the tough ends off the snap beans before cooking. It ensures a better texture and removes any stringy bits.
Related Recipes
Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- 1 lb green beans
- 5 garlic cloves crushed or grated
- A small bunch of parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat 3 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the Onion: Add 1 chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add Flavor: Crumble in 1 vegetable stock cube, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine.
- Add Beans and Garlic: Toss in 500g (1 lb) green beans and 5 crushed or grated garlic cloves. Pour in 1 cup of hot water to help steam the beans.
- Cook Covered: Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender but still have a slight crunch.
- Finish with Parsley: Sprinkle a small bunch of chopped parsley over the beans and gently stir to mix everything together.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish. Enjoy warm as a side, or chill for a refreshing option on hot summer days. Perfect with grilled meats, rice, or pasta!
Video
Notes
- Trimming the Beans: Line up a handful of green beans (or snap beans) so the stem tips face the same way, then trim them off. If the other end is uneven or tough, trim that too. For a more elegant look, keep the beans whole (as fine-dining restaurants do), or cut them to your preferred size.
- Fresh vs. Frozen: You can use fresh or frozen green beans. If using frozen, adjust the cooking time slightly, as they may take a bit longer to cook.
- Garlic Tip: Always use fresh garlic for the best flavour. Jarred garlic paste lacks depth, can taste sour, and tends to burn instead of turning golden. Serving Size: This recipe serves 4 as a small side or 2 as a larger portion if it’s the only vegetable side on the plate.
Swathi says
Sauteed green beans with garlic are delicious, I have made it for my dinner as a side.
Marie-Pierre says
My family loved this! The kids devoured those beans, this made me feel like I had accomplished a mission impossible! Thanks!
Ieva says
I typically eat my green beans stemed or boiled with a bit of crunch, but this is exactly how my French father-in-law cooks his green beans, and I've learned to love them just as much this way. Cooked your recipe last night, and it was perfect with baked chicken. Simple, yet delicious.
Sonja says
That's a delicious way to make green beans. Loved the garlic in it and that it was so simple to make.
Liz says
My family loved this! It was such a perfect, tasty way to jazz up our green beans for dinner.
Jacqueline says
I used this recipe for my homegrown green beans and it was brillliant. The onion and garlic add a lot of flavour but don't over power the fresh taste of the beans. A great side dish!
Juyali says
This recipe is a keeper! Great flavor and is super easy to make, My beans turned out tender-crisp and very tasty. Thanks for the easy and tasty recipe!
Jeri says
These green beans with garlic are such an easy side dish! I used fresh beans and garlic from my garden, and they were so good! Even my kids asked for seconds!
Liz says
We have so many garden green beans and we all loved this recipe! Easy and a quick way to add extra flavor!!
Alex says
Delicious food
Ashley says
Yum! Such any easy side dish. Love your idea to serve it cold!
Adriana says
Love the garlicky touch on these green beans.
Nicole says
These are the best side dish! They can go with any protein that I make and my family is excited to see them everytime!
Liz says
This was an easy, delicious recipe for our garden harvest! I'll definitely make it again.