Garlic Butter Green Beans: Simple, Flavorful Side Dish

The first time I made these garlic butter green beans was for a last-minute dinner when unexpected guests arrived. With little time to prepare and limited ingredients in my pantry, I spotted a bundle of fresh green beans in my refrigerator that I’d purchased at the farmers market the day before.

As my main dish simmered on the stove, I quickly trimmed the beans and set them to steam. The rich aroma of melting butter and sizzling garlic soon filled my kitchen, drawing my guests in with curious smiles. “What smells so amazing?” they asked, hovering near the stove as I tossed the steamed beans in the fragrant garlic butter.

These garlic butter green beans have become my go-to side dish for everything from busy weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. Their simplicity belies their incredible flavor, proving that sometimes the most basic ingredients when carefully prepared, create the most memorable dishes.

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Buttery green beans with garlic

This garlic butter green beans recipe succeeds by combining perfectly cooked vegetables with a simple yet flavorful butter sauce. The two-step cooking method ensures ideal texture: first steaming the beans to tender-crisp perfection, then briefly sautéing them with garlic butter. This approach allows the beans to retain their bright color and nutritional value while absorbing the rich flavors of the butter and garlic.

Using fresh garlic rather than garlic powder creates a more robust flavor profile that permeates the beans. The ingredient list’s simplicity lets the green beans’ natural flavor shine through, enhanced rather than overwhelmed by the complementary garlic butter sauce. This recipe can be easily scaled up for larger gatherings or adjusted with additional seasonings to suit different preferences, making it an incredibly versatile side dish option for any meal.

How to select the best green beans for this easy garlic green beans recipe

Green beans are packed full of nutrition. Sometimes, they are called string beans, or in fancier stores, haricots verts. You may find them in your store under either name.

• When shopping, look for crisp green beans. Pass on limp beans.
• Look for unblemished beans
• Look for firm beans, and avoid beans with soft spots

Green beans should be stored in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer and will stay fresh for about 1 week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Freshly ground black pepper – Provides subtle heat and complexity
• Fresh green beans – Provide the crisp, fresh foundation of the dish
• Butter – Creates a rich, flavorful sauce base
• Fresh garlic – Adds aromatic depth and distinctive flavor
• Kosher salt – Enhances the natural flavors of the beans

Instructions

Prepare the Green Beans

1. Wash green beans and cut off the stem end with a knife.

Steam Green Beans (choose one method)

• Microwave: Place green beans in a bowl and add two tablespoons of water. Place a plate on the bowl to keep it in steam. Cook on high for 4 to 6 minutes.
• InstantPot: Place the steamer rack in the instant pot. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water. Lock the lid and steam at LOW PRESSURE for 2 minutes.
• Stovetop: Use a large pot with a steamer basket. Fill the pot halfway with water, add the steamer basket, and add the green beans. Place the lid on the steamer basket. Turn the temperature to high, and steam for 6 to 8 minutes. The green beans are cooked when they turn a bright green color.

Make the Garlic Butter

1. Peel the garlic cloves and finely mince the garlic.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper.
3. Add minced garlic and heat until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Finish the Dish

1. Add steamed green beans to the skillet. Cook until the beans are tender.
2. Stir until the beans are well-coated.
3. Pour over any left-over sauce onto the green beans when serving.
4. If desired, add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

What to Serve with Green Beans

Green beans go with so many main dishes. This is the perfect green beans recipe for when you want to serve a green vegetable and also want a low-carbohydrate option. Enjoy some of these main dish options to serve with these beans.

• Lemon Pepper Chicken
• Chicken Noodle Casserole
• Perfect Pot Roast

Storage and Reheating

• Reheating on Stovetop: Add olive oil to a hot pan and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the beans to blister slightly in the hot pan for extra texture.
• Storage: Store any leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating in Microwave: Heat on high for about 90 seconds or until warmed through.

Can’t get enough green beans? Try these green bean recipes

• Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
• Cracker Barrel Green Beans
• Green Beans Au Gratin
• Green Bean Casserole
• Steamed Green Beans

Popular Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

• Baked Broccoli and Cheese
• Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
• How to Cook Baby Carrots

Check out my vegetable side dish recipes and the best budget-friendly meals here on CopyKat.com!