Green beans are such an easy side dish! I keep a bag in the freezer for this quick-fix dinner dish. It’s one of those easy sides to serve with mac and cheese and grilled meats.
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I love meals that are quick and delicious. Who doesn’t, really? But, I seek these out. I search high and low for recipes that can come together in a snap. I lie awake at night dreaming….
OK, I exaggerate — a little.
But, I do love it when a meal plan comes together in quick fashion without a lot of fuss or prep work. These green beans are one of the major players in that game.
I regularly stock up on bags and bags of frozen green beans, usually of the Trader Joe’s variety. One, they are an easy side dish; and two, my pickiest vegetable eater adores them. That second point is as equally valid, if not more so, than the first. Ha!
Containing only five ingredients — frozen organic green beans, oil or butter, salt, pepper, and garlic — these Easy Garlic Green Beans take about ten minutes to pull together. These beans are great hot. But, if you use olive oil, they are fantastic served cold or at room temperature.
Since the dish is made from the pantry or the freezer, you can whip up a tasty side dish lickety split.
Must have kitchen tools for this recipe:
These two tools are really all you need and it makes the cooking process so quick and simple.
- large skillet with lid – I have two of these since I love this model so much.
- Ergo Chef cooking tongs – I love these! They are my favorite cooking tongs.
Easy Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cup frozen green beans
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet with a lid, place the beans and water. Turn the heat to medium high and cover the pan. Allow the beans to steam cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Drain off any water that remains.
- Push the beans to the side of the pan and add the butter or oil as well as the garlic. Heat, stirring until the butter and garlic are evenly distributed and the beans are hot.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Amber
I keep frozen veggies on hand as an easy go to, but I don’t really enjoy them – but this recipe is actually delicious! I used the thin frozen green beans. How would it change the flavor to use minced garlic instead of chopped? Would it just be more garlicky?
Jessica Fisher
Yes, I think you might get more coverage from minced. Use whatever you like, even garlic powder in a pinch. We also use Everything Seasoning on veggies as well.
Cheri A.
I have reviewed this recipe before. Just stopping in to say that I’m still making this recipe, still love it! I’ve made it with fresh green beans and frozen green beans.
Stephanie @ The Good Stuff
We were approaching dinner time tonight and I realized I didn’t really have a plan for the fresh green beans that I had other than maybe steaming them, which sounded boring to me. So I googled and your recipe popped up. I read your blog regularly so I decided to see what you had for me. Sounded easy so I decided to try it and I was so pleased with the outcome! Super easy to make and great flavor! I do enjoy steamed green beans (and other veggies), but sometimes I’m just looking for a little something more. With minimal effort I had a great side and even my 3 year old enjoyed them.. Thanks for a great recipe! I will definitely be making green beans this way again!
Jessica
Isn’t it amazing what just a little “something” can do for it. Glad you enjoyed it!
Carla
Thanks for the recipe. Our favorite is roasted with garlic, olive oil, and pepper. However, with hotter weather upon us, I will give this a try on one of those “no oven” days.
Maggie@SquarePennies
Great recipe & wonderful for the holidays when we need quick side dishes. Love the color on the plate too! Thanks for this one!
Cheri A.
I have been wanting to try this green bean recipe for months, but I always forget about it until it is too late. I finally made these last night. They were a hit with my family. 🙂 I am going to make these for Thanksgiving because we never have the traditional green bean casserole due to my daughter’s allergies. Thanks!!
Jessica
So glad you liked them!
amanda
oh this is fun! i am so happy to find so many bloggers doing these sort of blog hops! i’m finding all sorts of good recipes!!
Amanda
Hello! Glad I found this blog and party 🙂 Can’t wait to contribute more and try some of those yummy recipes!
melissa @IWasBornToCook
thanks for hosting…the beans look great!
The Gentle Mom
These look delicious. I’ve made a similar recipe, with a few sliced red peppers thrown in for color and crunch. It works really well!
SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen
We just use plain basil on our green beans — Love it! But, now you have me thinking: garlic and basil 🙂
Roz
Hi and thanks for hosting! I’m your newest follower and linked up a Farfalle Carbonara recipe. I have your button on my post too. I hope you stop by and also join me on my weekend foodie blog hop. I’d be happy to have you join in with all those who share every weekend! Roz
Katie
Garlic + Geen Beans + Easey = a perfect combo!
Amanda (TheHomemadeKitchen)
That looks like a yummy plate of food:) I love the combination of green beans and garlic.
Ruth H.
Sauteed green beans are practically a staple at our house. They are one of the only veggies everyone will eat without complaint. We have an Aldi nearby that has some of the very best frozen green beans I have ever encountered–closest thing to fresh I’ve found.
Jen Blacker
Thank you for hosting. Those beans look so yummy!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
What a beautiful plate of food! love beans, love garlic, thanks!
Beverly
I love fresh green beans with garlic, it is the only way I will eat them!
Cheri A.
Just stopping back to post that this is hands-down my fam’s fav recipe for green beans! I make them often. Tonight we’re having them again, and the only thing I’ve changed is that I add some onion in there too. During the summer we love to eat fresh rather than frozen!
Thanks, Jessica!
Jessica Fisher
So great to hear!