Buttery, fresh sautéed green beans are an easy classic side dish recipe any night of the week. All you need are four simple ingredients and it’s ready in 15 minutes!

For completing meals, you can’t go wrong with a veggie side dish recipe. Try honey butter skillet corn or roasted butternut squash.

Sautéed green beans in a white bowl.

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Easy Green Bean Recipe

These are such classic and easy side dish recipe that pairs perfectly with almost any main dish. They’re one veggie that everyone in my family loves, as well as parmesan roasted broccoli and roasted potatoes and carrots.

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

Easy Sautéed Green Beans Ingredients

Green beans on marble counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Green beans: The firmer the better! Look for fresh and not wilted green veggies for a fresh and delicious dish.
  • Butter: Melt the butter in the skillet and coat the green beans with the
  • Minced garlic: Slice and cut the garlic cloves into small, tiny pieces. You can even use the minced garlic from the jar.
  • Lemon pepper: Has zesty and citrusy flavors with a hint of black pepper in the seasoning.

How to Cook Green Beans

I love them sautéed, however, roasted are equally as delicious and a bit more crispy! I’ve included both methods below, so feel free to cook green beans however you prefer.

Sautéing green beans in a skillet.
  • Sauteed green beans. In a large skillet, add beans and cover with 1/3 cup water. Cover skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Season. Remove the lid and let the water evaporate. Add butter (or olive oil), minced garlic, and lemon pepper, then cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Roasted. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place beans on a pan and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with S&P. Roast until edges are slightly brown about 20-25 minutes.
Tongs taking green beans out of bowl.

Variations to Try

  • Lemon and Parmesan: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top once they’re done cooking for a zesty flavor. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to add a savory element!
  • 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.
  • Salt and pepper: Keep it simple and season with salt and black pepper. It adds plenty of flavors and showcases their natural freshness.
  • Slow cooker green beans: Making green beans in the crockpot is the best during busy holidays!

Serving Suggestions

This simple side pairs well with traditional holiday favorites and weeknight meals!

  • Steak in oven: Steak cooks up nice and juicy in the oven. Its rich flavor pairs perfectly with the fresh, crisp beans.
  • Slow cooker spiral ham: This ham recipe is cooked in the crockpot 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.
  • Pork tenderloin: The pork is tender and juicy and takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Green beans in white bowl.

More green bean recipes to try include bacon wrapped green bean bundles, green bean casserole and crockpot green beans.

More Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

green beans

Green Beans

5 from 16 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Buttery, fresh sautéed green beans are an easy classic side dish recipe any night of the week. All you need are four simple ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound fresh green beans , trimmed
  • 1-2 Tablespoons butter , or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper

S&P, to taste

Instructions

  • Add green beans. Place 1 pound trimmed 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. 
  • Saute. Add 2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil, 1 teaspoon minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper. Cook an additional 3-5 minutes, or until tender. Salt and pepper, to taste.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Tip: Add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle 1/4 cup parmesan cheese on top to add a special twist!
To roast in oven: 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: 580IU, Vitamin C: 9.6mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

Do you have to cut the ends off of the them?

I recommend trimming them 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.

Should you boil green beans before sauteing them?

You do not need to blanch or steam them before sauteing them. Using the saute cooking method, the green beans will become perfectly tender and bright green.

How to store leftovers?

Once you have sauteed or roasted them, they’ll keep in the fridge for about 3 days. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container.