Sauteed Green Beans (One Pot)

Quick, easy sauteed green beans recipe- A 20 minute side dish made with simple ingredients in one pot on stovetop. Fresh beans are pan fried with butter, oil, garlic.

Green beans can be made in so many ways, making it a super versatile vegetable. Try them as Oven Roasted Green Beans (One Pan) or as pan fried Green Beans with Bacon (One Pot). 

Can I saute green beans without blanching?

Yes, blanching is not a required step. Typically, it's done to retain the green color of the beans but I find it to be an unnecessary step.

Can you pan fry green beans?

Yes, the recipe below involves fresh green beans being pan fried with butter, olive oil, salt, pepper and lots of fresh garlic.

What is the best way to cook fresh green beans?

1. Roast them in the oven with herbs and spices.
2. Or pan fry them with garlic, bacon, onions, and herbs and spices of your choice.

How to make sauteed green beans recipe with garlic?

1. Heat butter and oil.
2. Saute green beans.
3. Mix in garlic and season with salt and pepper.
4. Garnish with fresh herbs or roasted nuts and you are done.

How to prepare green beans for cooking?

1. Wash them.
2. Pat them dry with paper towels.
3. Trim the ends.
   

What to serve with easy sauteed green beans?

They are best served with classic comfort food like grilled meats such as steak, chicken or pork chops. They also pair very well with casseroles, meatloafs and roasts. Serve them with my family's favorite main dishes:

• Easy Pot Roast Recipe (Stovetop & Oven)
• Italian Pot Roast (One Pot)
• Thanksgiving Turkey (One Pan)
• Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast

Can you use canned green beans or frozen green beans?

Fresh beans yield the best tender crisp texture but frozen green beans can be used as well. Cook on high heat so that the excess water evaporates quickly, as the beans thaw and cook. I don't recommend using canned beans because they become too soft and limp and lack the perfect texture.

How to season and flavor green beans? (Variations)

• Saute ½ cup finely chopped onion, along with the beans. 
• Add 1-2 tablespoons of soy sauce and toss some roasted sesame seeds at the end, to give it an Asian flavor.
• Mix in 1 cup sliced mushrooms and saute them, along with the beans.
• To add a little crunch, toss 1-2 tablespoon of sliced roasted almonds or pine nuts.
• Add thinly sliced carrots and saute them, along with the beans.
• Add ½ cup frozen peas when you add the garlic and and saute everything together for about 5 minutes.
• Mix in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice  and ¼ tsp zest to give it  a subtle  tangly flavor. 
• Mix in 1-2 tablespoon Sriracha sauce to add a spicy kick.
• If you are fond of cheese, sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan or feta cheese, at the end, prior to serving.
• Mix in 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning or ranch seasoning or Italian seasoning for a different flavor profile.

Tips and techniques

• Use unsalted butter to prevent beans from getting too salty.
• Keep in mind that thin green beans will cook faster than thick green beans and you may have to adjust your cooking time, accordingly.
• Use a combination of butter and olive oil because they add a deeper flavor, when used together.
• There is no need for blanching in this recipe.
• Beans are ready when they are crisp and on the outside and tender on the inside.
• Use fresh garlic because it's fresh and yields the best flavor. However 1 teaspoon garlic powder can be used instead as well.
• Don't cover and cook the green beans because that will end up steaming the beans and making them too soft.
• Make sure to pat the washed beans dry or else they will end up being very soft and limp.
• Add garlic near the end to prevent it from burning.

Other one pot side dishes

• Oven Roasted Carrots (One Pan)
• Boiling Corn on the Cob (One Pot)
• Easy Garlic Mushrooms (One Pot)

Recipe

Happy cooking everyone!