Add flavorful veggies to your meals with this easy garlic butter green bean recipe. Perfectly seasoned and full of flavor, it's a side dish you won't be able to resist.
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This delicious and flavorful dish is sure to add a touch of elegance to any meal. The best part? It's quick and easy to prepare without any special small kitchen appliances, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or special occasions.
The combination of garlic butter and pine nuts gives the green beans a rich and nutty flavor that perfectly complements their natural sweetness. The garlic adds depth and complexity, while the pine nuts provide a satisfying crunch. It's amazing how just a few simple ingredients can completely transform a humble vegetable into something truly extraordinary.
Why settle for boring boiled green beans when you can elevate them to new heights with this irresistible recipe? Whether you're looking for a vibrant side dish or want to incorporate more veggies into your diet, green beans in garlic butter with pine nuts won't disappoint.
Reasons to Love
- A tasty vegetable side dish. The garlicky aroma infuses the beans with a savory taste, while the rich butter adds a luxurious flavor profile. Toasted pine nuts adds a crunchy texture to the crisp green beans.
- Ready in minutes. One of the best things about this recipe is its quick and easy preparation. You can have a flavorful side dish ready to serve alongside your main course in just minutes.
- Bursting with nutrients. Green beans are rich in vitamins A, C, and K and minerals like potassium and iron.
Ingredients
You only need some simple ingredients to make this mouthwatering side dish. The only essential ingredients are garlic, butter, and green beans.
Here is the complete list of items you'll need for the recipe:
- green beans
- minced garlic
- red onion
- pine nuts
- unsalted butter
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- parsley
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Preparing green beans for a delicious dish requires just the right technique. Blanching the green beans first not only helps to retain their vibrant color but also ensures that they are perfectly crisp-tender.
Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil to blanch the beans and carefully place them in. Cook green beans for 2-3 minutes.
Drain and immediately submerge in ice-cold water for at least 3 minutes to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Dry roast pine nuts in a hot skillet on medium-low until they turn slightly golden for 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
In the same pan, heat oil and melt butter over medium-high heat. Sauté red onions until translucent. Add garlic and sauté until slightly golden and fragrant.
Toss in drained blanched green beans then season with salt and black pepper. Sauté green beans until they are crisp tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add fresh parsley and pine nuts. Immediately remove from heat.
Hint: Be sure to watch the pine nuts closely in the hot skillet and stir often to prevent burning, as they can go from perfectly toasted to overly browned quickly. Once they're toasted, remove them from the pan and set them aside. You add them back to the green beans just before serving for a delicious, crunchy texture and added depth of flavor.
Variations
Want to change up these sautéed green beans? Here are a few ways to modify the recipe:
- Lemon - add a squeeze of lemon juice for a tangy twist.
- Cheese - sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the cooked beans for added richness.
- Breadcrumbs - toss in breadcrumbs to add an extra layer of texture.
- Herbs - use fresh thyme, rosemary, or dill to infuse your beans with aromatic flavors. These herbs can be added while sautéing or sprinkled on top as a garnish right before serving.
- Veggies - experiment with different vegetables. Try adding some sliced bell peppers or mushrooms for an extra burst of flavor.
- Olive oil - If you have dietary restrictions, use olive oil instead of butter.
See this Southern fried cabbage with bacon for another fantastic sautéd vegetable dish.
Tips
Top tip: It's crucial to blanch the green beans before cooking them in the garlic butter. This helps retain their vibrant green color and ensures that they stay crisp-tender. After blanching, quickly transfer the beans into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking.
- While fresh green beans are fantastic, frozen ones can work just as well in this garlic green beans recipe. Thaw them first in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the ice is melted. Then drain and pat dry with a paper towel before using.
- Let the garlic cook gently in the butter until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Serving suggestions
Sauteed green beans pair well with a protein-rich main course like grilled chicken or baked salmon. For those looking for a lighter option, serving them alongside a crisp salad can provide a refreshing contrast.
If you're craving some comforting carbs, consider serving your garlic butter green beans with Mexican rice or shrimp pasta. Alternatively, you can add some artisan bread or dinner rolls on the side to soak up all the buttery sauce.
Storage
Ideally, consuming them within 2-3 days after cooking is best. However, if stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they can last up to 5 days.
To reheat, pop them in the microwave or reheat them on the stovetop with a little extra butter. They'll taste just as delicious as when you first made them.
Related Recipes
Want to try more simple sides to serve one or two people? Here are some recipes you can check out:
- Aloo gobi masala is a tasty twist on an Indian classic.
- Scalloped potatoes for two is perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
- Green bean tomato salad is a fresh and flavorful side dish.
- Cabbage steaks in the oven are simple yet flavorful.
- Twice-baked cheddar potatoes are a good choice for comfort food.
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Recipe
Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 7 ounces green beans (200 grams) cut 3 inches per piece, and ends trimmed
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ small red onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt
- ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat parsley
OTHER:
- Ice cold water
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil to blanch the beans and carefully place them in. Let them cook for about 2-3 minutes. Drain and immediately submerge green beans in ice-cold water for at least 3 minutes. Set aside.
- Dry roast pine nuts until they turn slightly golden for about 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
- In the same pan, heat oil and melt butter. Sauté red onions until translucent. Add garlic and sauté until slightly golden and fragrant.
- Toss in drained blanched green beans then season with salt and black pepper. Sauté green beans until they are crisp tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add fresh parsley and pine nuts. Immediately remove from heat.
Kay
Who would've thought that a simple boiled green bean could get such an upgrade? Love how the butter gives these beans so much flavor!
I served this with baked salmon and everyone in my family loved it. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Kimmy
Just made this recipe the other night and it was a HUGE hit! The pine nuts added such a nice nutty flavor, and the garlic butter sauce was incredible. So easy to throw together too - perfect for busy weeknights. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy
Can the beans be blanched and refrigerated a day ahead? Also can the pine nuts be toasted a day ahead?
Lisa MarcAurele
Yes. You can do some of the prep work mentioned ahead.