Sauteed Green Beans

When I’m planning dinner, there always has to be something green on my family’s plates, but getting my 3-year-old to eat a salad isn’t always a cinch. Crunchy, hot, Sautéed Green Beans, however, are always a win! My family loves fresh green beans raw, pickled, steamed, sautéed, dry-fried… you name it, we love it! When I’m short on time, this easy sautéed green beans recipe always comes in handy and is ready in less than 15 minutes.

I think green beans are one of the most versatile veggies out there. They’re easily accessible, affordable, and packed with nutrients. You can cook them in so many different ways in a matter of minutes! But one of my favorite ways to prepare them is by sautéing them in a hot pan with olive oil, garlic, onion powder, and crushed red pepper. And nope, I don’t blanch or parboil them beforehand—I just love how crisp and flavorful they turn out when cooked this way!

Here’s what you’ll need to make these sautéed fresh green beans:

Green Beans: These are also known as string beans or French beans. Go for fresh, crisp green beans that snap easily when bent. This means they’re super fresh! If you buy untrimmed green beans, you’ll need to cut off the ends yourself.
Olive Oil: For sauteing the beans and adding flavor.
Garlic: Once you’ve tried sautéed green beans with garlic, there’s no going back! It adds so much aromatic flavor and seriously beats plain boiled beans.
Onion Powder: An easy way to add flavor without having to dice up onions.
Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a subtle kick of heat. Feel free to adjust the amount according to your preference.
Salt & Pepper: Basic but essential seasoning for any savory dish.

Can I Use Frozen Green Beans?

I highly recommend using fresh green beans rather than frozen ones. Will frozen green beans work? Of course, but will they turn out the same? Not quite. Frozen green beans will release a lot of liquid in the pan, which means they’ll end up steaming rather than sautéing. They’re also usually parboiled before being frozen, so they won’t have the same crispness as fresh beans and will likely turn out softer and slightly mushy.

However, if you only have frozen and really want to give this recipe a try, I suggest thawing the beans first and then patting them dry before sautéing! Just don’t expect the same level of crispness as you’d get with fresh green beans.

I chose the seasonings in this recipe because they’ll easily pair with almost any main dish. But I’m also all for using up what I have on hand, and sometimes that means swapping out ingredients or adding something extra. Here are some variations you could try:

Swap out the red pepper flakes for a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want more spice
Add lemon zest and juice for a bright, citrusy flavor (great if serving with fish!)
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving
Use diced onion rather than onion powder
Add a splash of soy sauce for added umami or some balsamic glaze for a little sweetness
Toss in slivered almonds or pine nuts (I’d toast them first for extra flavor)
Add bacon crumbles or sautéed mushrooms

Serving Suggestions

Is there any dish that sautéed string beans don’t go well with? I don’t think so! They’re always an easy side for your favorite protein, like grilled salmon, chicken, tofu, or steak. But I especially love them with rich, saucy dishes like stews, curries, or my shakshuka recipe.

And I can’t forget about Thanksgiving—is it even a holiday meal without green beans on the table?! They’re the perfect Thanksgiving side that doesn’t take a ton of time or pans to make. Enjoy them in place of (or with!) traditional green bean casserole alongside your roasted turkey and gravy!

Overhead close up of sauteed green beans in a skillet.

Sauteed Green Bean Recipe

Have these Sautéed Green Beans on the table in less than 15 mins! Seasoned with garlic and spices, they're a delicious upgrade to plain beans.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Total Cost ($2.20 recipe / $0.55 serving)

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings servings (1 cup each)

Calories 85kcal

Author Jess – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Deep Stainless Steel Skillet

Ingredients

1 lb green beans $1.78
1 ½ Tbsp olive oil $0.28
2 cloves garlic, minced $0.06
½ tsp onion powder $0.03
¼ tsp crushed red pepper $0.03
½ tsp salt $0.01
⅛ tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.01

Instructions

Stem and rinse green beans. Strain in a colander and pat dry before sautéing.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add green beans, garlic, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Sauté for 8-10 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached.*

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Notes

* If you like your green beans a little softer instead of al dente, but don’t want them to brown in the pan, one of my favorite tricks is to add an ice cube to the center of the frying pan for the last minute of cooking. The ice cube will create steam, so put a lid on it and let them finish cooking. It’s the best of both worlds, sautéing and steaming!

Nutrition

how to make Sautéed Green Beans – step by step photos

Stem and rinse 1 lb of green beans. Strain in a colander and pat dry before sautéing.

Green beans in a skillet with minced garlic and seasonings.

Heat 1 ½ Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add green beans, 2 cloves minced garlic, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ½ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp black pepper.

Sauté for 8-10 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached.*

Overhead view of sauteed green beans on a white serving platter.

You’ve never tasted a fresh green bean quite as delicious as these…and that’s a fact!! 😉

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