Name: Easy Sautéed Green Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pounds Green Beans ((trimmed)); 3 Tablespoons Water; 3 Tablespoons Butter; 3 cloves Garlic ((pressed or minced)); ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt; ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper; ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes ((optional))

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Easy Sautéed Green Beans is a simple, delicious green bean side dish with a garlicky, buttery flavor. It’s the perfect addition to weeknight meals or holiday dinners. A quick and flavorful way to prepare fresh green beans. This is recipe is fast, foolproof, and full of flavor.

cooked Green Beans in a cast iron skillet

Skillet Green Beans

These Easy Sautéed Green Beans are the perfect go-to vegetable side dish recipe. Made in just one skillet with butter, garlic, and a touch of seasoning, they’re crisp-tender, full of flavor, and ready in about 20 minutes.

Why We Love These Easy Green Beans

Simple Ingredients – All pantry staples.
One-Pan Recipe – Minimal cleanup.
Quick Cooking – Ready in about 20 minutes.
Fresh & Flavorful – Fresh green beans and fresh garlic make all the difference.
Perfect Texture – Crisp-tender green beans that aren’t mushy.

cooked green beans on a fork.

This is one of the best green bean recipes because it combines steaming and sautéing for the perfect result every time.

Ingredients for This Recipe

• Fresh Green Beans (trimmed)
• Water
• Butter
• Garlic (pressed or minced)
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

These garlic green beans are buttery, savory, and just a little spicy if you choose to add red pepper flakes.

How to Make the Best Green Beans on the Stove

adding water to green beans in skillet, butter added to beans.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1) Steam the Green Beans
Place the green beans in a large skillet and add the water. Cover and cook over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes, just until the beans begin to soften.
Why Steaming First Works Best
• This recipe starts with a quick steam using a few tablespoons of water in the skillet to soften the green beans before sautéing.
• Steaming speeds up the sauté time and gently softens the green beans without making them soggy.

2) Drain and Sauté
Drain any remaining water and return the skillet to the heat. Add the butter and stir until melted and the green beans are evenly coated.

3) Add Garlic
Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until it becomes fragrant.
4) Season and Serve
Add the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together, then remove from heat and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations

• Trim the string beans easily by lining them up and cutting off the stem ends all at once.
• Add lemon zest or juice for a nice bright, citrus touch.
• Top with toasted almond slices for some crunch and a nutty flavor.
• Sprinkle with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish.
• Swap butter for olive oil for a dairy-free or lighter option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes, but let them thaw and pat them dry before cooking. Fresh green beans yield the best flavor and texture.
Can I skip the garlic?
Though garlic green beans are popular because of the rich, savory flavor, not everyone eats garlic. Omit it if you want to.
Can I prep these ahead of time?
Yes, you can trim the beans and mince the garlic in advance to save a little time.
You could also blanch the green beans in boiling water and then plunge them into an ice bath. Dry and put them in the fridge for a day ahead.
Then when you are ready to cook them, you can skip the steaming part of cooking them and go straight in with the butter, etc.

What to Serve With Garlic Butter Green Beans

These easy sautéed green beans go with almost any main dish! Try them with:
Baked Meatballs
Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Air Fryer Pork Roast
Baked Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Salmon
Cheesy Baked Orzo Pasta

Storage & Reheating

Storing: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Use a skillet for best texture, or an air fryer, or microwave in short bursts.

Make These Easy Green Beans Tonight! Buttery garlic green beans are an easy way to complete a meal with a healthy side dish.

The combination of quick steaming and sautéing means perfect results every time. Tender, flavorful string beans ready in minutes.

These garlic butter green beans will quickly become a family favorite. Don’t forget to leave a review and share how you served them!

cooked Green Beans in a cast iron skillet

5 from 1 vote

Easy Sautéed Green Beans

By Sandy Clifton

Easy and tasty green beans sautéd on the stove makes a nice vegetable side dish. It is a fast and delicious recipe!

Prep: 10

Cook: 10

Total: 20

Servings:

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Equipment

Large Skillet with Lid

Ingredients

▢ 1 pounds Green Beans (trimmed)
▢ 3 Tablespoons Water
▢ 3 Tablespoons Butter
▢ 3 cloves Garlic (pressed or minced)
▢ ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Instructions

Add the green beans a large skillet. Add water and cover with a lid and cook over medium-high heat until the beans start to soften, about 3 minutes.
Drain the water and return the skillet to the stove. Add the butter and stir until melted and the beans are coated.
Add the garlic (I prefer pressed or finely minced) and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Stir.
Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

Notes

Trimming Fresh Green Beans: Cut the end of the bean where the stem is (the pointed end can remain). You can cut several at a time by lining them up all going in the same direction. Then you can cut off all the ends at the same time.