Sautéed Green Beans are a simple, healthy, and easy-to-make side dish, typically prepared using fresh green beans, basic pantry seasonings, and lemon juice. This dish is one of the best-sautéed dishes that perfectly complement roasted or baked meats, rice dishes, or pasta dishes. The best part is that Sautéed Green Beans can be prepared quickly in under 30 minutes, making it a great choice for both lunch and dinner.
The recipe provided here outlines the steps required to prepare Sauteed Green Beans, along with easy-to-follow instructions. Additionally, a detailed video of the recipe has been included below to make the cooking process even more accessible.
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What is Sautéed Green Beans?
Sauteed Green Beans are a nutritious and tasty vegetable side dish that can be easily prepared in under 30 minutes. With basic pantry seasonings like garlic, salt, lemon juice, and pepper, Sauteed Green Beans can be made easily and inexpensively. These Sauteed Green Beans are one of the best-sauteed dishes that pair as a side dish for any meal. They pair well with a variety of dishes such as chicken dishes, salmon dishes, and pasta dishes.
Green Beans are a great source of essential nutrients such as vitamins C, K, and A, as well as dietary fiber, which helps to support healthy digestion. Sauteed green beans are a great way to incorporate these nutrients into your diet.
In addition to being a delicious side dish, sauteed green beans offer many health benefits. Green Beans are low in calories, making them a great option for those watching their weight. They are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help to protect against disease and support healthy aging.
Overall, Sauteed Green Beans are a healthy and delicious side dish for salmon, chicken, and many other dishes. They can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet for your weeknight dinner. So the next time you're looking for a tasty and nutritious side dish, consider sauteed green beans as a great option.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients you will need to make Sauteed Green Beans are simple pantry seasonings that should already be at home. So, let's see what they are below.
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans have a naturally sweet and slightly grassy flavor with a crisp, crunchy texture. To pick fresh green beans, look for beans that are firm, smooth, and have a vibrant green color. They should snap easily when bent and not have any brown spots or blemishes. Additionally, the beans should feel heavy for their size and have a slight sheen to them. These qualities indicate that the green beans are at their peak freshness and will result in the best flavor and texture for the sauteed dish
- Garlic: Garlic adds a pungent and savory flavor to the dish that pairs well with the sweetness of the green beans
- Butter: Butter contributes a rich, creamy flavor to the dish. It helps to enhance the overall richness of the Sauteed Green Beans. It also helps to create a smooth, velvety texture that coats the green beans and adds depth to the overall flavor
- Olive oil: Olive oil has a fruity and slightly nutty flavor that complements the green beans and adds a subtle complexity to the dish
- Black pepper: Black pepper adds a spicy and pungent flavor to the dish. It helps to balance out the sweetness of the green beans and the richness of the butter and olive oil. It also adds a subtle depth of flavor that enhances the overall taste
- Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish by bringing out the natural sweetness and savoriness of the ingredients
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a bright, acidic flavor to the dish that complements the sweetness of the green beans. It also helps to cut through the richness of the butter and olive oil
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Sautéed Green Beans at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Sauteed Green Beans, a simple and healthy side dish. They are typically cooked with simple seasonings like garlic, onions, salt, and pepper, which enhances their natural flavor. This dish is a great source of vitamins and minerals, and it is low in calories, making it an excellent addition to any meal.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Prep Green Beans - Starts with washing the green beans and patting them dry with a kitchen towel. Then, trim the ends of the green beans
- Saute garlic - Saute the garlic until it becomes aromatic.
- Add the beans - Add the trimmed green beans and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Cover and cook - Cover the pan with a lid and cook the green beans for 3-5 minutes, or until they turn bright green, tender, and crisp
- Season - Remove the lid and season the green beans with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Your delicious and healthy Sauteed Green Beans are now ready to taste and enjoy
Tips
- How to select Green Beans: Start by selecting fresh green beans with a bright green color and a firm texture. Avoid any beans that are soft, discolored, or shriveled
- Clean the veggie: Rinse the green beans thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel before cooking
- Use a wide pan: Use a large skillet or sauté pan to ensure that the green beans cook evenly. Also, don't overcrowd the pan
- Let the butter melt: Add the green beans to the skillet only after the butter and olive oil have melted and are heated
- Use the right temperature: Sauté the green beans over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes or until they are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally
- Close and cook: Covering the skillet with a tight-fitting lid for the first few minutes of cooking is essential to cook the green beans evenly and quickly by trapping steam
- How long to cook Green beans - To accommodate individual preferences for green bean texture, the cooking time can be adjusted accordingly. For those who prefer their green beans to be crispy and tender, you can cook them for a shorter amount of time, while for those who prefer their green beans to be soft, they can be cooked for a longer amount of time. Ultimately, the cooking time should be based on personal preference to achieve the desired level of tenderness and texture
Storage Suggestions
You can enjoy Sautéed Green Beans warm or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days. When reheating, simply microwave until the dish is warmed through evenly. Keep in mind that the vegetable may not be as crisp and tender as when freshly prepared.
Serving Suggestions
Sauteed green beans pair well with a variety of main dishes. Here are some options to consider:
- Roasted and baked meats: The savory flavor of roasted or baked meats pairs well with green beans. Serve it with roasted chicken, baked chicken thighs, baked chicken breast, and baked chicken drumsticks for a satisfying meal
- Fish dishes: Baked tilapia, pan-seared salmon, baked salmon, and pan-fried salmon can be a healthy choice with sauteed green beans
- Roasted vegetables: Roasting vegetables adds depth and complexity to their flavors, which can enhance the taste of sauteed green beans. You can roast vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini and serve them alongside the green beans
- Quinoa or couscous: These grains have a nutty flavor and a slightly chewy texture that complements the crispiness of the green beans. They also add protein and fiber to the meal, making it more nutritious
- Potatoes: The creamy texture of baked potatoes or roasted potatoes pairs well with the crunchy texture of sauteed green beans. The sweetness of the potatoes also complements the natural sweetness of the green beans
- Rice pilaf or risotto: Rice dishes like pilaf or risotto have a rich and creamy texture that complements the richness of the sauteed green beans
- Asian foods: Sauteed green beans can complement a lot of Asian foods like fried rice, Teriyaki chicken, orange chicken, Kung pao shrimp, and more for a healthy and flavorful twist
Related Recipes
You can also find similar recipes below and more at sauteed recipes and roasted and baked vegetable recipes.
- Roasted Green Beans
- Sauteed Asparagus
- Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
- Sauteed Mushrooms
- Sauteed Cabbage
- Sauteed Kale
- Sauteed Spinach
- Sauteed Shrimp
- Garlic Mushrooms
Sautéed Green Beans Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Sauteed Green Beans Recipe below that I hope will help you to make a healthy side dish at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Sautéed Green Beans
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
To make Sauteed Green Beans
- Begin by washing the green beans and patting them dry with a kitchen towel. Next, trim the ends of the green beans
- In a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat, add oil and butter, allowing the butter to melt. Saute the garlic until it becomes aromatic
- Add the trimmed green beans and saute for 1-2 minutes
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook the green beans for 3-5 minutes, or until they turn bright green, tender, and crisp
- Remove the lid and season the green beans with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Your delicious and healthy Sauteed Green Beans are now ready to be enjoyed
To Serve
- Serve this dish with roasted or baked meats, seafood, rice dishes, or any other favorite food of your choice
Video
Notes
- How to select Green Beans: Start by selecting fresh green beans with a bright green color and a firm texture. Avoid any beans that are soft, discolored, or shriveled
- Clean the veggie: Rinse the green beans thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel before cooking
- Use a wide pan: Use a large skillet or sauté pan to ensure that the green beans cook evenly. Also, don't overcrowd the pan
- Let the butter melt: Add the green beans to the skillet only after the butter and olive oil have melted and are heated
- Use the right temperature: Sauté the green beans over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes or until they are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally
- Close and cook: Covering the skillet with a tight-fitting lid for the first few minutes of cooking is essential to cook the green beans evenly and quickly by trapping steam
- How long to cook Green beans - To accommodate individual preferences for green bean texture, the cooking time can be adjusted accordingly. For those who prefer their green beans to be crispy and tender, you can cook them for a shorter amount of time, while for those who prefer their green beans to be soft, they can be cooked for a longer amount of time. Ultimately, the cooking time should be based on personal preference to achieve the desired level of tenderness and texture
Nutrition
FAQ
Sauteed green beans are a healthy and delicious side dish that is easy to prepare. They are typically cooked with simple seasonings like garlic, onions, salt, and pepper, which enhances their natural flavor. Sauteed green beans are the perfect side dish for a variety of meals, including roasted meats, grilled fish, and pasta dishes.
Blanching green beans before sautéing is not always necessary, especially if you prefer your green beans to be cooked all the way through. However, blanching can be useful if you want to speed up the cooking process or if you want to retain the green color and crisp texture of the beans. If you decide to skip blanching and sauté the green beans directly, you can still achieve a tasty dish. Just make sure to cook the green beans over medium heat and stir frequently to ensure they cook evenly.
Yes, sauteed green beans are considered a healthy dish. Green beans are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and folate. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which helps to support healthy digestion
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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