Description
These garlic butter green beans are the ultimate side dish—tender yet crisp, buttery, and loaded with aromatic garlic flavor. Simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for holidays, this recipe transforms fresh green beans into something truly special in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons water (for steaming method)
Instructions
- Prep the green beans: Rinse the green beans under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off the stem ends using a sharp knife. You can leave the tail ends on for a more rustic look or trim them off for a cleaner presentation.
- Blanch or steam the beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green. Immediately drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and pat completely dry. Alternatively, you can skip blanching and cook them entirely in the skillet (see step 4).
- Prepare the garlic butter: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned. Don’t let the garlic burn or it will become bitter.
- Cook the green beans: Add the blanched (or fresh) green beans to the skillet. If using fresh beans without blanching, add 2 tablespoons of water and cover the skillet for 4-5 minutes to steam them until tender-crisp. Toss the beans frequently to coat them evenly in the garlic butter.
- Season and finish: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss well to combine. If desired, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Serve immediately: Transfer the garlic butter green beans to a serving platter and serve hot. Garnish with extra pepper or lemon zest if desired.
Notes
- For best results, don’t overcook the green beans. They should be tender but still have a slight crunch.
- If making ahead, blanch the beans up to 24 hours in advance, store in the refrigerator, then sauté with butter and garlic just before serving.
- To make this dairy-free, substitute butter with high-quality olive oil or vegan butter.
- Fresh garlic is key—don’t substitute with garlic powder or pre-minced jarred garlic as the flavor won’t be as vibrant.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ¾ cup (approximately 4 oz)
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 205mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg