Garlic Green Beans Recipe
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These Garlic Green Beans are a quick, healthy, and flavorful side dish that comes together in just 10 minutes! The green beans are tender from a quick microwave steam and then finished in a pan with fragrant garlic and olive oil, making them the perfect complement to any meal. This recipe is easy to prepare, low-carb, and absolutely delicious.
Garlic green beans is a really tasty and healthy side dish. To make garlic green beans, first the green beans are cooked in a microwave, then quickly pan-fried with a little olive oil and minced garlic. Garlic really adds excitement to an otherwise plain green beans, and makes you want to eat more and more of these healthy green vegetables!
Why You’ll Love Garlic Green Beans
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 10 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a fast and healthy side dish.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Green beans are packed with vitamins and fiber, making this dish not only delicious but also a great way to add more veggies to your meals.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of garlic and olive oil brings out the natural sweetness of the green beans, giving you a simple yet flavorful dish.
- Low-Carb and Vegetarian: This recipe fits easily into a variety of diets, including low-carb, vegetarian, and gluten-free, so it’s perfect for any occasion.
- Versatile Side Dish: Garlic green beans pair well with almost any main course, from grilled chicken to roasted meats, or even alongside vegetarian dishes.
Garlic Green Beans Recipe
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans: Fresh green beans provide a crisp and tender base for this simple side dish.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced: Minced garlic infuses the dish with a rich, savory flavor.
- 1/2 tsp salt: These seasonings enhance the natural taste of the green beans and garlic, bringing the whole dish together.
- 1/8 tsp pepper: These seasonings enhance the natural taste of the green beans and garlic, bringing the whole dish together.
- 1 tbsp olive oil: Used for sautéing, olive oil gives the beans a subtle, smooth flavor while helping to cook them evenly.
Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Garlic Green Beans
- Microwave-safe bowl: Essential for steaming the green beans quickly in the microwave.
- Non-stick frying pan: Used to sauté the garlic and green beans, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.
- Spatula: Perfect for stirring the green beans and garlic while sautéing them.
- Knife: For trimming the ends of the green beans before cooking.
- Cutting board: A stable surface for preparing the green beans and garlic.
Instructions How To Make Garlic Green Beans
- Wash the green beans and trim them – cut off the ends of the green beans on both sides. (To save yourself this step of trimming green beans, you can buy packaged green beans that are already washed and trimmed.)
- Put the green beans in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a lid. Microwave on High for 4 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and green beans. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Remove garlic green beans from heat and serve.
These garlic green beans taste great both hot and cold. You can make a big portion of these yummy garlic green beans, then refrigerate the leftovers and enjoy them cold the next day. Garlic green beans is a very tasty side dish for those on low carb diets, and for anybody who want to eat more healthy food!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these garlic green beans alongside grilled chicken, air-fried steak, or fish for a balanced meal.
- Pair with roasted potatoes or rice to create a complete vegetarian plate.
- Add them as a side dish to holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas for a healthy and flavorful veggie option.
- Toss the green beans with toasted almonds or slivered Parmesan for added texture and flavor.
Tips For Success
- Trim the Beans Evenly: Make sure to trim the ends of the green beans evenly so they cook at the same rate. This ensures a tender yet crisp texture.
- Don’t Overcook: Be careful not to overcook the green beans in the microwave. They should be tender but still have a bit of crunch before sautéing them with garlic.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the best flavor and aroma, so try to avoid pre-minced garlic if possible.
- Sauté Quickly: When adding the garlic to the pan, keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly. Sauté it just until fragrant, then add the beans immediately to avoid any bitterness.
- Customize Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Variations And Substitutions
- Add Lemon Zest: For a fresh twist, sprinkle some lemon zest or drizzle lemon juice over the green beans before serving to brighten up the flavor.
- Spicy Kick: If you like a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic for a spicy version of garlic green beans.
- Use Other Oils: You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil, coconut oil, or even butter for different flavor profiles.
- Herbs and Spices: Try adding fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley for an extra layer of flavor. Ground spices like cumin or paprika can also be incorporated for a more robust taste.
- Almond Topping: For some added crunch and nutty flavor, sprinkle toasted slivered almonds over the finished dish.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover garlic green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the green beans in a non-stick pan over medium heat for a couple of minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave them for 1-2 minutes.
- Cold Option: These garlic green beans taste great cold, so feel free to serve any leftovers straight from the fridge as part of a salad or alongside cold dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen green beans for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen green beans, but be sure to thaw them first. You may need to adjust the microwave time to account for their texture.
Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! You can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas. Just adjust the cooking times accordingly to ensure all the vegetables are cooked through.
What type of oil can I use besides olive oil?
You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil, vegetable oil, or even butter for a richer flavor. Just make sure to adjust the sautéing time to avoid burning.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, garlic green beans can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They reheat well in the microwave or a pan, and they can even be served cold as part of a salad.
How do I keep the green beans crispy?
To keep the beans crisp, avoid overcooking them in the microwave. They should still have some crunch before you sauté them. Also, cook them quickly on the stovetop to maintain their texture.
Other Easy Green Beans Recipes
Oven Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes: This easy oven-roasted recipe combines tender green beans and crispy potatoes for a delicious and healthy side dish.
Air Fryer Crispy Frozen Breaded Green Beans: These frozen breaded green beans come out perfectly crispy and golden when cooked in the air fryer, making them a quick and tasty snack or side.
Crispy Air Fryer Green Bean Recipe: Fresh green beans turn delightfully crispy in the air fryer, creating a healthy and simple side dish in minutes.
Low Carb Homemade Green Bean Casserole: This keto-friendly green bean casserole is made from scratch, offering a rich, creamy, and low-carb version of a classic favorite.
Green Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese: Fresh green beans are tossed with juicy tomatoes and tangy feta in this refreshing and flavorful salad.
Garlic Sautéed Green Beans Recipe: These sautéed green beans are cooked with fresh garlic for a quick, flavorful side dish that pairs well with any meal.
Rotini Pasta with Sausage, Ricotta, and Fresh Green Beans: This hearty pasta dish combines savory sausage, creamy ricotta, and crisp green beans for a satisfying and delicious meal.
Garlic Green Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
- Frying pan
Instructions
- Wash the green beans and trim off the ends. If you prefer to skip this step, pre-trimmed green beans work well.
- Place the green beans in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a lid. Microwave on High for 4 minutes
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and the microwaved green beans. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant and the beans are coated.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle the green beans with a pinch of red pepper flakes or grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- To save time, you can use pre-trimmed green beans from the store, which work just as well for this recipe.
Nutrition
For more tasty vegetable side dishes, check out how to make roasted brussel sprouts, garlic sugar snap peas and spiced oven roasted squash.
