Sautéed Green Beans, a quick and nutritious side dish, are perfect for complementing a wide range of meals. Ready in just 30 minutes, they're an excellent choice for busy weeknights, offering a burst of flavor and health benefits.
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These green beans are not only a delicious addition to your dinner table but also a smart choice for those conscious about their health, being low in calories and rich in essential vitamins and antioxidants. Enjoy the wholesome goodness of this easy-to-make side with your next meal.
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
Preparing Sauteed Green Beans is straightforward with ingredients likely already in your kitchen. Let's take a look at what you'll need.
- Green Beans: Choose fresh green beans for their sweet, slightly grassy flavor and crisp texture. Look for beans that are firm, smooth, vibrant green, and snap easily. Freshness is key for the best flavor and texture in your sautéed dish.
- Garlic: Garlic's pungent, savory notes beautifully balance the sweetness of green beans, adding depth to the dish.
- Butter: For richness and creaminess, butter is essential. It enhances the dish's flavor and creates a smooth texture that beautifully coats the beans.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil, with its fruity and nutty undertones, complements the beans and adds complexity to the dish.
- Black Pepper: A touch of black pepper offers a spicy counterpoint to the sweet beans and rich butter and oil, enriching the overall taste.
- Salt: Salt is crucial for highlighting the natural flavors of the ingredients, enhancing both sweetness and savoriness.
- Lemon Juice: The bright, acidic zing of lemon juice balances the dish, cutting through the richness and elevating the green beans' natural sweetness.
How to Make Sautéed Green Beans at Home?
Master the art of making delicious Sauteed Green Beans with our easy-to-follow photos and video guide. These step-by-step visuals ensure a fun and effortless cooking experience.
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Sautéed Green Beans
Savor the simplicity and healthiness of Sautéed Green Beans, a quick and easy side dish. Fresh green beans, seasoned with pantry staples and a splash of lemon juice, cook in under 30 minutes. Ideal with roasted meats, rice, or pasta, it's a perfect choice for any meal!
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Ingredients
- 1½ lb Green Beans, washed
- 1½ tsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Butter, unsalted
- 1½ tbsp Garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Preparing Sauteed Green Beans
- Begin by thoroughly washing the green beans to remove any dirt or debris. After washing, use a kitchen towel to pat them completely dry, which is crucial for achieving the perfect sauté. Then, trim the ends of the green beans to ensure uniform cooking and eliminate any tough parts.
- Heat your large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add both oil and butter, waiting for the butter to completely melt and blend with the oil. This creates a rich base for your dish. Once hot, add the garlic and sauté it just until it becomes aromatic, being careful to avoid burning.
- Introduce the trimmed green beans to the hot pan. Sauté them for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. This quick sauté starts to bring out their natural flavors and prepares them for even cooking.
- Cover the pan with a lid, which will trap steam and cook the green beans evenly. Let them cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness and have a bright green, vibrant color.
- Once the green beans have reached the desired texture, take off the lid. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and a hint of lemon juice over them for a zesty kick. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly. Then, remove the pan from the heat. Your nutritious Sauteed Green Beans are now ready to delight your taste buds.
Serving
- Enjoy your Sauteed Green Beans as a versatile side with any meal. For more creative pairing ideas, be sure to check out our serving suggestions section.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
Here are some helpfult tips for perfect Sauteed Green Beans:
Preparation Tips:
- Selecting Green Beans: Opt for fresh green beans that are bright green and firm. Steer clear of any that are soft, discolored, or shriveled for the best quality.
- Cleaning the Veggies: Rinse your green beans under cold water and dry to prepare them for cooking.
- Pan Choice: A large skillet or sauté pan is ideal for even cooking. Remember, don’t overcrowd the pan to allow each bean space to cook perfectly.
- Melting the Butter: Wait until your butter and olive oil have melted and are hot in the skillet before adding the green beans. This ensures even cooking.
- Optimal Temperature: Cook the green beans over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes or until tender-crisp, stirring now and then for an even sauté.
- Cover to Cook: Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid at the start of cooking. This traps steam, cooking the green beans evenly and quickly.
Cooking and Seasoning Tips:
- Cooking Time Variations: Adjust the cooking time to suit your texture preference. For crisp-tender green beans, cook for less time, and for softer beans, extend the cooking duration. Tailor the time to get your perfect bite!
- Seasoning Variations: Don't hesitate to experiment with different seasonings. Herbs like thyme or rosemary, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, can add a unique twist to the flavor.
- Balancing Flavors: If your green beans taste too bitter, a pinch of sugar added while sautéing can help balance the flavors.
- Pre-Cooking Beans: For an even more tender texture, you can briefly blanch the green beans in boiling water before sautéing. This step is particularly helpful if you prefer softer green beans.
- Avoiding Sogginess: To prevent the beans from becoming soggy, avoid overcooking and ensure they have enough space in the pan for the steam to escape.
- Cooking in Batches: If you’re cooking a large quantity, consider sautéing the green beans in batches to maintain the right texture and flavor.
Nutrition Info
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 841IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
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Discover our array of sautéed vegetables and vegetable sides, from crunchy stir-fries to tender classics, each offering unique flavors and textures to elevate any meal.
Serving Suggestions
Sauteed green beans pair well with a variety of dishes. Here are some options to consider:
- Classic Pairings: Serve alongside grilled or roasted meats like chicken, beef, or pork. They also complement fish dishes like salmon or trout beautifully.
- Perfect with Fish: Enhance your favorite fish dishes, like baked salmon or tilapia, with Sautéed Green Beans. Their crispness and fresh taste make an excellent accompaniment, creating a visually appealing and flavor-balanced meal.
- With Grains: Pair them with a variety of grains such as quinoa, brown rice, or couscous for a wholesome meal.
- Pasta Combinations: Add them to pasta dishes, either mixed in or as a side, to add a fresh, crunchy element.
- Salad Addition: Chop the sautéed green beans and add them to salads for extra texture and flavor.
- Topping for Baked Potatoes: Serve them over a baked potato, possibly with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- With Eggs: Incorporate into breakfast or brunch dishes, such as omelets, frittatas, or alongside scrambled eggs.
- As a Snack: Enjoy them as a healthy snack, perhaps with a light dip like hummus or tzatziki.
- In Stir-Fries: Mix into stir-fries for an extra crunch and a boost of nutrition.
Storage Suggestions
Enjoy your Sautéed Green Beans warm or keep them fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. For reheating, a quick microwave will do, though they may lose some of their initial crispness and tenderness.
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