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Sautéed green beans are a quick, flavorful side dish that’s ready in under 15 minutes. This single serving recipe features fresh green beans cooked to tender-crisp perfection, enhanced with garlic for added flavor. You can customize this dish with optional toppings like toasted almonds for extra crunch or leave them out if needed. It’s a versatile side that’s perfect for any meal, from weeknight dinners to special occasions.
These buttery sautéed green beans make a delicious side dish that pairs beautifully with so many meals. Serve them alongside a juicy Beef Tenderloin, tender Turkey Cutlets, a savory Ham Steak, or flavorful Meatloaf.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: This recipe comes together in no time.
- Pairs with Everything: These green beans complement a variety of main dishes, from meats to casseroles.
- Full of Flavor: Garlic and toasted almonds add a delicious richness to every bite.
- Healthy and Light: Green beans are low in calories and packed with vitamins, making this a nutritious side dish you can feel good about.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy green beans recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans work best as they hold their texture and flavor when cooked. If using frozen green beans, make sure they’re fully thawed to avoid extra moisture that could affect the texture. Got leftovers? Use them in a mini Green Bean Casserole.
- Butter: Adds a rich, savory flavor that enhances the dish. For a lighter option, swap with olive oil, or try sesame oil for an Asian-inspired variation.
- Garlic: Brings bold, aromatic flavor to the dish. Feel free to add more if you love garlic!
- Salt: Highlights the natural flavor of the green beans. If using table salt instead of kosher salt, adjust the amount and season to taste after cooking.
- Almonds: Add a lovely crunch and nuttiness. You can also use pine nuts, cashews, or skip the nuts altogether for a nut-free version.
How Much Green Beans Per Person?
This recipe is designed for one serving, but you can easily double or triple it to serve more. A good guideline is to plan for about 1 cup of fresh green beans per person to create a satisfying side dish.
Tips:
- Choose fresh green beans that are vibrant in color and snap cleanly when bent.
- No measuring cup? A generous handful of green beans is approximately one serving.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to customize your sautéed green beans with these ideas:
- Add Other Vegetables: Enhance the dish by sautéing chopped onions, mushrooms, or diced bell peppers in the butter before adding the green beans.
- Green Beans with Herbs: Fresh herbs can bring a burst of flavor. Try adding chopped basil, rosemary, or oregano for a fragrant twist.
- Sautéed Green Beans with Bacon: For a savory upgrade, cook chopped bacon in the skillet before adding garlic and almonds. Use the rendered bacon drippings instead of butter to sauté the garlic, then toss in the green beans.
- Make Them Cheesy: Sprinkle shredded Parmesan over the cooked green beans for a rich and flavorful finishing touch.
How To Sauté Green Beans
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to sauté green beans in butter and garlic . See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Place trimmed green beans in a 2-quart saucepan and cover with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the beans soften, about 4 minutes. This method is called blanching and keeps the beans deliciously crunchy.
- Drain water from the pan and refresh in cold water. This stops the cooking process and helps the beans stay crisp and green. Set the beans aside.
- Melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and almonds and toast until golden, about 1 minute.
- Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat.
Expert Tips
- Be careful not to overcook: When cooking the green beans in boiling water, cook them until they are crisp-tender. If you cook them beyond this, they can overcook in the skillet.
- Gather your ingredients before starting: This green beans recipe comes together quickly so have all of your ingredients close by before beginning. Also, read through the entire recipe and review the ingredient notes.
Serving Suggestions
Sautéed green beans are a versatile side dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas to complete your plate:
- Protein: Serve alongside a juicy chicken breast, a perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, or a flaky seared salmon fillet.
- Carbs: Pair with creamy mashed potatoes, simple buttered noodles, or hearty brown rice for a satisfying meal.
- Salads: Add a refreshing touch with a cucumber salad or a crisp chopped salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Certainly. To prepare ahead, cook the green beans as per the recipe. Cool them quickly by draining and rinsing with cold water, then dry them thoroughly. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, sauté the pre-cooked beans in the garlic and butter mixture until heated through.
Trimming green beans is recommended for the best texture and presentation. Just before cooking, remove any blemishes, line up the stems, and trim the ends with a sharp knife. Trim both tips for uniform beans. You can halve the beans for bite-size pieces or leave them whole, depending on your preference.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy them within 4 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet or microwave until they reach the desired temperature.
Freezing green beans is simple and ensures you can enjoy them year-round. After rinsing and trimming the beans, blanch them in boiling water, then cool them quickly in ice water. Drain well, then place them in freezer-safe containers. Label with the date and consume within 8 months for the best quality.
Absolutely! For a vegan-friendly dish, substitute the butter with olive oil or a quality vegan butter alternative for equally delicious results.
Easy Single Serving Side Dishes To Try
Looking for more individualized side dishes to complement your main course? Here are some delightful options:
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
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Sautéed Green Beans For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh green beans -trimmed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 2 tablespoons almonds -slivered
Instructions
- Place green beans in a 2-quart saucepan and cover with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the beans soften, about 4 minutes.
- Drain water from the pan and refresh in cold water. Set the beans aside.
- Melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and almonds and toast until golden, about 1 minute.
- Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook: When cooking the green beans in boiling water, cook them until they are crisp-tender. If you cook them beyond this, they can overcook in the skillet.
- Gather your ingredients before starting: This green beans recipe comes together quickly so have all of your ingredients close by before beginning. Also, read through the entire recipe and review the ingredient notes.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Joanie, good recipe. I like the idea of blanching the beans first before sauteing. It makes them Tender Crisp throughout without over Browning the outside. Don’t need the almonds but do need the garlic. I’ve been an advocate of there’s no such thing as too much garlic. LOL that was until about 15 years ago while on a cruise, my wife said “either cut back on the garlic or get your own cabin.”
Thank you for your comment—it gave me a good laugh! I completely agree, blanching the green beans really helps get that perfect texture. And I’m with you on the garlic—I love adding it to just about everything! Your story about the cruise is too funny, and I can definitely see how too much garlic might have led to that ultimatum! Thanks again for sharing, and I always enjoy hearing from you!
Thank you for all your recipes. Always enjoy receiving your email. I immediately go through all the recipes. You bring me great joy! Thank you
Thank you so much, Murielle!
Ok This is going to be included for Thanksgiving. I hate green bean casserole!
Terrific recipe!