Green beans are a wonderful vegetable, easy to cook and so versatile. I often find myself making them as a simple side dish for weeknight dinners.
Today, I’m sharing two fantastic green bean recipes that I absolutely love. They are both quick to make and bring a lot of fresh flavor to your plate. You’ll find them great for family meals or when you have guests.
Jump to Recipe:
Simple Garlic Butter Green Beans Recipe
This recipe for garlic butter green beans is a classic for a good reason. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and pairs well with almost any main course.
You can have this fresh side dish ready in minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Green Beans: Pick green beans that are firm and bright green. This makes a big difference in the final texture of your dish.
- Fresh Garlic: Always use freshly minced garlic for the best taste. Garlic powder won’t give you the same bright flavor.
What You Need for Garlic Butter Green Beans
- 1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make Garlic Butter Green Beans
Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans
First, make sure to trim the tough ends off your green beans. If you like your beans a bit softer, you can quickly boil them in salted water for 3-5 minutes before moving to the next step, then drain them well.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Beans
Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring until it smells fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Now, add the trimmed green beans to the pan.
Step 3: Finish and Serve
Toss the green beans to coat them in the garlic butter. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking. Continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender-crisp. Serve them hot right away.
📝 Final Note
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving adds a lovely bright finish to these green beans.
Classic Green Bean Almondine Side Dish
Green Bean Almondine is a timeless French side dish that feels a little fancy but is truly simple to prepare. The toasted almonds add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor.
This elegant green bean recipe is perfect for holidays or when you want to make a weeknight meal feel special.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Blanching Green Beans: Briefly boiling and then cooling the green beans keeps them bright green and tender. Don’t skip this step for the best result.
- Toasting Almonds: Cook the sliced almonds slowly in butter until they are golden. This step brings out their full flavor and a great crunch.
What You Need for Green Bean Almondine
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Prepare Green Bean Almondine
Step 1: Blanch the Green Beans
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and just tender-crisp. Quickly drain the beans and put them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain them again very well.
Step 2: Toast the Almonds
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced almonds and cook, stirring often, for 3-5 minutes until they turn golden brown and smell nutty. Watch them carefully so they don’t burn.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
Add the blanched and drained green beans to the skillet with the toasted almonds. If you’re using it, add the minced garlic here too. Toss everything together, heating for a couple of minutes until the beans are warm. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
📝 Final Note
For an extra touch, you can add a pinch of fresh chopped parsley or a splash of dry white wine to the skillet with the beans and almonds.
