Green Beans

Perfectly tender, flavorful and fresh green beans that make an amazing side dish recipe. Learn how to cook green beans 2 ways – sauteed or roasted in the oven.

Green beans are such a classic and easy side dish recipe that pair perfectly with almost any main dish. They’re healthy, crisp and taste super fresh. Some of my other favorite sides are roasted asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini and carrots.

Fresh green beans

Sometimes it’s nice to take it back to the basics, and that’s exactly what this green beans recipe does! It’s a classic, easy and delicious side dish that I’m sure many of you make at home. My favorite way to cook green beans is either to saute or roast them in the oven. They turn out perfectly tender, flavorful and taste so fresh.

There are plenty of ways to season your green beans based on preference. One variation that we love is to add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle 1/4 cup parmesan cheese on top. It adds the perfect twist!

What do you season green beans with?

• Lemon juice: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top of the green beans once they’re done cooking for a zesty flavor.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Add some red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
• Onion: Feel free to add in some minced onion with the garlic if you have some on hand.
• Garlic: Adding fresh garlic or garlic powder adds a great flavor to green beans.
• Salt and pepper: Keep it simple and season with S&P. It adds plenty of flavor and lets the freshness of the green beans shine.

Do you have to cut the ends off of green beans?

I recommend trimming green beans prior to cooking them. The ends are a bit tough and fibrous, so trimming helps to create a tender and delicious green bean. I typically cut about 1/4 of an inch off of the ends of the green beans.

How to cook green beans

I love sauteed green beans, however roasted green beans are equally as delicious and a bit more crispy! I’ve included both methods below, so feel free to cook however you prefer. Make sure to serve fresh while hot for the best taste!

Sauteed green beans

1. Add green beans & water to skillet. In a large skillet, add green beans and cover with 1/3 cup water.
2. Cover and cook. Cover skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Then remove lid and let water evaporate.
3. Add seasonings and cook until tender. Add butter (or olive oil), minced garlic and lemon pepper, then cook additional 3 to 5 minutes until tender. S&P to taste.

Roasted green beans

1. Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Add green beans to pan and season. Place green beans on pan and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with S&P.
3. Roast in oven. Roast until edges are slightly brown, about 20-25 minutes.

What pairs well with green beans?

These green beans go with almost any dish. Here are some of my favorites:

• Steak: Steak cooks up nice and juicy in the oven. It’s rich flavor pairs perfectly with the fresh, crisp green beans.
• Chicken: This is our favorite marinade for grilling chicken. So easy and delicious!
• Ham: This ham recipe is cooked in the slow cooker with the best glaze. Perfect for holidays!
• Baked ziti: We love pasta and this dish is one of our favorites. It’s full of flavor and extra filling.

How long do green beans last?

If you have green beans sitting in the fridge, they’ll stay fresh for about a week. They make a great vegetable to keep on hand to whip up throughout the week. Once the green beans are sauteed or roasted, they’ll keep in the fridge for about 3 days. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container.

Green Beans Recipe

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 41

Author: Jamielyn Nye

Perfectly tender, flavorful and fresh green beans that make an amazing side dish recipe. Learn how to cook green beans 2 ways - sauteed or roasted in the oven. 

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans , trimmed
• 1-2 Tablespoons butter , or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

S&P, to taste

Instructions

• Place green beans in a large skillet and cover with 1/3 cup water. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove lid and let water evaporate. 
• Add the butter or olive oil, minced garlic and lemon pepper. Cook an additional 3-5 minutes, or until tender. Salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes

Tip: Add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle 1/4 cup parmesan cheese on top to add a special twist!

For roasted green beans: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place green beans on the pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. 

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 11.6% | Vitamin C: 11.6% | Calcium: 3% | Iron: 4.3%

PIN THIS RECIPE