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You are here: Home / Recipes / Healthy / No-fail Butter and Garlic Green Beans

No-fail Butter and Garlic Green Beans

09/20/20 | Healthy, Recipes, Side Dishes

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These Butter and Garlic Green Beans are perfectly cooked and tossed with butter and toasted garlic. They’re a quick, easy, and delicious vegetable side dish.

Ready for your new go-to no-fail veggie side dish? I’d like to meet these perfect, wonderful garlic green beans that are ABSOLUTELY FOOLPROOF.

They’re boiled, so you don’t have to worry about burning them while they cook. You can make them with pre-trimmed green beans, so no cutting required if you don’t want to.

And, best of all, if your timing is off and the green beans finish cooking 20 minutes before your main dish, they get tossed in a hot pan with butter right before serving, so they’ll heat right back up!

Butter and garlic green beans in a white dish on a towel.

Like I said, foolproof.

Ingredients

  • Fresh green beans: You can use regular green beans or haricots verts. If using the latter, just adjust the simmering time as needed since they’re thinner and will cook a bit quicker.
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted butter will work just fine.
  • Fresh garlic: If you don’t feel like mincing the garlic, you can use a garlic press, but the little cubes of minced garlic are really delicious in this, so if you can mince the garlic, do!
  • Salt and pepper: A little salt and pepper to taste is all the spicing up these green beans really need.

How to prepare green beans?

To prep your beans, wash them and use a sharp knife to trim the ends.

To trim the green beans, grab a handful of beans, line the ends up, and slice them all off at once. Line the beans up on the other side and trim the second side. Once all the beans are trimmed, they’re ready to go.

If prepping in advance, trimmed green beans can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days before cooking.

Butter and garlic green beans in a white dish.

How to cook fresh green beans

  1. Transfer your prepared green beans to a medium pot and add just enough cold water to cover them. Add a couple good pinches of salt and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until they reach your preferred level of doneness.
  2. Drain and set aside.
  3. Just before serving, melt butter in a large skillet and toast garlic for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until lightly golden. Add green beans and toss until they’re well coated in the butter and garlic and reheated. Add salt and pepper to taste.

FAQ

What to serve with garlic green beans?

Everything! Sauteed green beans go with practically everything, but to start you off, I’d recommend:

  • Tri-tip
  • Country-style Pork Ribs
  • Baked Ziti
  • Easy Tomato Soup

Can I use canned/frozen green beans?

Yes. Warm/cook the beans according to package instructions and then toss them with the melted butter and garlic.

Butter and garlic green beans on a white plate.

More Green Bean Recipes

  • Roasted Green Beans
  • Green Beans in the Microwave
  • Green Beans With Bacon
Butter and garlic green beans in a white dish.

No-fail Butter and Garlic Green Beans

These Butter and Garlic Green Beans are perfectly cooked and tossed with butter and toasted garlic. They're a quick, easy, and delicious vegetable side dish.
4.90 from 28 votes
Print Pin
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings (Hover or Click to Change Yield): 4 servings
Calories: 63kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound green beans trimmed and washed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced*
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, cover green beans with cold water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until they reach your preferred level of doneness. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic and toast until golden, watching carefully to ensure it doesn't burn.
  • Add the cooked green beans to the pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat (and reheat if they've cooled).
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

*If you don't feel like mincing your garlic, you can crush it with a garlic press, but the little minced pieces of garlic are really delicious.
Make-ahead Instructions: Trimmed green beans and minced garlic can be stored in air-tight containers for up to 2 days before cooking.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag @BakingMischief or hashtag it #BakingMischief.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.

Comments | 63 comments

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Comments

  1. Mary Ellen says

    June 9, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    5 stars
    These were delicious. It seems we eat green beans the majority of the week so I was looking for a new recipe. I was short on time and didn’t want anything with multiple ingredients. This recipe was perfect. I used a little more butter, but that’s all I added. Thank you so much for sharing. This was a great recipe!

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    July 2, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was so good! It was exactly what I was wanting. Thanks for such an easy and tasty recipe!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 18, 2019 at 11:48 am

      Thanks, Kelly!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Megan says

    April 19, 2019 at 6:36 am

    If prepared ahead if time, what do you recommend for reheating? I want to make these for Easter but I’m not hosting.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 20, 2019 at 4:20 pm

      Hi, Megan, honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never reheated these, because there are literally never leftovers. Either keeping them warm in the oven or just microwaving would probably be your best bet. Sorry I’m not more help!

      Reply
  4. Marisa says

    March 17, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe. It’s a perfect easy and delicious side dish!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 18, 2019 at 10:33 pm

      Thanks, Marisa! So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  5. Kristen says

    March 4, 2019 at 11:58 pm

    5 stars
    Can I use minced garlic straight out of the jar? I don’t have a garlic press and but I do have a small jar of minced garlic in the fridge…

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 11, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      Hi, Kristen, you can, just watch it really closely to make sure it doesn’t burn.

      Reply
  6. Marydale says

    November 4, 2018 at 6:16 am

    5 stars
    These green beans are absolutely delicious. A new favorite! I also put toasted sliced almonds on top. Yum!!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      November 6, 2018 at 8:03 am

      Thanks, Marydale! So glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  7. Licia says

    March 29, 2018 at 10:12 am

    5 stars
    I “minced” garlic for years by hand but now I always use my rasp’s. I have several with different size grates depending on what I use them for. So much easier and put garlic in everything just about. Love your recipe, thank you

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 4, 2018 at 11:42 am

      Oh, I love this tip! Thanks, Licia, and so glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  8. Monique says

    March 22, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    5 stars
    I have to thank you for posting this!!! So perfect!
    In the past I have had trouble getting string beans soft, but with this method they were perfectly soft and crisp, just how I want them. They taste so fresh, so much better than canned!

    I made mine vegan and oil free by heating them in a skillet with a scoop of cream from a can of coconut milk, and a generous pinch of garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. So creamy and flavorful!
    The elderly woman I caregive for gobbled them all up! I will make these regularly.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 25, 2018 at 4:11 pm

      Thanks, Monique! And I’ve never made green beans with coconut milk, but it sounds delicious. I’m going to have to give it a try now!

      Reply
  9. Sarah Stierch says

    February 22, 2018 at 6:53 pm

    5 stars
    Made these green beans tonight – taste delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      February 25, 2018 at 10:54 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Sarah!

      Reply
  10. Bob Kalal says

    February 20, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    I love green beans just about any way, our dog loves green beans raw and tossed to her in the kitchen, but my wife – not so much. She likes green beans about as much as she likes football – and she’s the anti-sport. I made these tonight just to torment her and voila! She liked them as much as she likes the Campbell’s recipe with french fried onions on top! Previously the only way she’d eat green beans. Thanks! Now I have an alternative choice!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      February 25, 2018 at 11:07 am

      LOL. So thrilled to hear your wife can join you and your dog in your green-bean-loving ways! 😉

      Reply
  11. Melissa says

    January 29, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks so much for sharing this recipe, Tracy! I have been looking for easy and healthy ways to incorporate a bigger variety of veggies into mine and my hubbies dinners and was inspired by thanksgiving to pick up some greenbeans this week. I made these tonight and they turned out great! I added some chopped carrots in with the greenbeans and sauted some onion in the butter before adding the garlic as well. So tasty and easy! Definitely will be coming back to this recipe again! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      January 31, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Melissa! And mmmm, carrots and onions sound like a wonderful addition, I’m going to have to give that a try the next time I make this!

      Reply
  12. Pilar says

    December 30, 2017 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    I tried your recipe today and love it. Thanks a lot

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      December 31, 2017 at 10:17 am

      Thanks! I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  13. Austin says

    July 16, 2017 at 1:59 am

    Can I used canned green beans? Plus, I really like how simple this is! A 7 year old could make these!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 19, 2017 at 7:42 pm

      Hi, Austin. That would probably work. I’ve never tried it. I would definitely drain the beans first and then just toss them with the butter and cooked garlic.

      Reply
  14. Jessica W says

    May 3, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this a few times (and making them tonight) and we love love love them! So simple and really delicious. I may even enjoy them more leftover!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      May 4, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoy them!! Thanks, Jessica!

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Tracy! Welcome to Baking Mischief, where we realize that not everyone is cooking every night for a family of four. We have delicious sweet and savory recipes, mostly scaled for one or two, and we love our pop culture around here, so keep an eye out for film, book, and TV-inspired treats as well! Read more»
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