Sautéed Garlic Green Beans

Tender and garlicky — this green bean recipe is my family’s favorite side dish and the one I make the most often!

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2017 and has been republished with all new photos.

These sautéed green beans belong in your regular rotation. They’re simple, flavorful, and ready in only 20 minutes. Perfect for holiday meals or a weeknight dinner. That’s my kind of recipe!

Plus, and this is the most important part, these tender green beans have lots of garlic in every bite. I feel strongly that the amount of garlic in a dish is in direct proportion to the amount of happiness in my heart. Lots of garlic means lots of happiness so get ready for plenty of garlicky goodness.

I typically use frozen green beans because I always have those on hand. I keep the freezer stocked with bags of them so they’re readily available for a quick meal. They also cook quickly and after sautéeing they are the perfect texture and a beautiful green color. Of course you can use fresh green beans but they may require an extra minute or two of cooking time..

Warning: I rarely make a single batch of these garlicky green beans. I usually double it up because we demolish them so only a big batch will do.

Craving more side dishes? Try my Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans, Roasted Green Beans with Almonds, or Herb Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli.

Ingredients for Sautéed Garlic Green Beans

• Frozen green beans: No need to thaw the green beans. We’ll cook them from frozen. You can use fresh green beans if you prefer but the cooking time will need to be adjusted.
• Olive oil: You’ll want to use extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil to help get our green beans perfectly tender.
• Minced garlic: Tons of garlic is essential for the very best green beans. It’s the very best part! You’ll get lots of flavor in every bite and that’s why they’re everyone’s favorite green beans.
• Salt: Salt is the only seasoning you need in this recipe.

How to Make Sautéed Garlic Green Beans

To make this easy recipe, add your green beans and olive oil to a large skillet. Cover with a lid. Cook for 10-15 minutes on medium heat. Stir often as the green beans will stick to the pan. You want to continue to move those browned green beans to the top so that the others start to brown too.

Lower heat to low. Add your garlic. Stir. Cover. Cook for another 2-4 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the green beans have gone from that really bright green to a more darker shade. The garlic should be lightly golden brown. Now you have the perfect side dish!

Salt to taste.

Make more the next night.

And maybe the next night. Because they’re just that good.

Ways to Customize these Sautéed Green Beans

I believe these green beans are perfectly seasoned but you can customize them using your favorite seasonings. Some fun ideas would be to add red pepper flakes, chili flakes, grated parmesan cheese, sesame oil, or a squeeze of lemon juice after sautéing. For big flavor you could top with a small drizzle of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar. Sesame seeds can also be used to dress up this side before serving.

How to Store Leftover Garlic Green Beans

Store any leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze them if you prefer. Freeze in an airtight freezer safe container (like freezer bags). Then thaw and reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave.

How to Serve Garlic Green Beans

This delicious recipe is the perfect addition to any healthy meal. Serve this easy side dish with a main dish like chicken, steak, turkey, pork, or fish. If you’re eating low carb, add a simple salad! If you want to create a more satiating dinner, add a side of rice or a baked potato.

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