10+ Fresh Green Bean Recipes to Brighten Your Dinner Table

Fresh green beans are a tasty, healthy way to liven up your meals. You can toss them into a side or work them into a main dish—honestly, they’re pretty versatile.

Fresh green bean recipes help you make simple, delicious dishes that bring out the natural flavor and crunch of the beans.

If you’re ready to start cooking with fresh green beans, there are plenty of easy recipes for any taste or schedule. Most of these call for basic ingredients and straightforward steps—no need for anything fancy.

Ingredients

• Fresh green beans
• Butter or olive oil
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and trim green beans.
2. Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add green beans and sauté until crisp-tender, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

1) Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and Butter

Sautéed green beans with garlic and butter are a fast, flavorful way to enjoy fresh beans. You get tender, crisp beans and plenty of garlicky goodness.

This dish only takes about 15 to 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for a quick side. Start by melting butter in a pan until it shimmers.

Add green beans and minced garlic. Stir them around so the garlic cooks just until golden, which happens fast.

Want to change it up? Toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper for heat or squeeze over some lemon juice for brightness. It’s hard to go wrong here.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Optional: crushed red pepper or lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add the trimmed green beans and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 more minutes until garlic is golden.
4. Season with salt. Add optional crushed red pepper or lemon juice if you like.
5. Serve warm.

2) Blanched Crisp-Tender Green Beans

Blanching green beans is a quick way to keep them bright, crisp, and tender. Boil a pot of salted water and toss in your fresh green beans.

Let them cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Right after boiling, drop the beans into ice water.

This stops the cooking and keeps that satisfying snap. Toss them with olive oil, garlic, or lemon if you want extra flavor.

Blanched green beans work as a side or tossed into salads. Their fresh taste and great texture fit almost any dish.

Ingredients

• Fresh green beans
• Salt
• Ice water
• Olive oil (optional)
• Garlic (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil a pot of salted water.
2. Add green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Transfer beans to a bowl of ice water immediately.
4. Drain and pat dry.
5. Toss with olive oil, garlic, or lemon juice if desired.

3) Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

Here’s a simple way to make green beans taste amazing. Boil the beans until tender, then cook bacon in a pan until it’s nice and crispy.

Add chopped onions to the bacon fat and sauté until soft. Toss the green beans back in with the bacon and onions.

Let everything cook together for a few minutes so the flavors really mix. The bacon’s smoky, the onions are sweet, and the green beans hold their own.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 4-6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil green beans for 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain.
2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy.
3. Add chopped onion to bacon fat; cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
4. Add green beans to skillet; stir to combine.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 more minutes.
6. Serve warm.

4) Roasted Green Beans with Olive Oil and Sea Salt

Roasting green beans brings out their flavor and gives them a crispy bite. All you really need is fresh green beans, olive oil, and sea salt.

Trim the beans, toss them in olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet.

Roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Stir halfway so they cook evenly.

You’ll get beans that are crispy outside, tender inside—hard to beat as a side. This one goes with just about anything.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and trim your green beans.
3. Toss the green beans with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
4. Spread them on a baking sheet in one layer.
5. Roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
6. Take them out when crispy and tender. Serve warm.

You can find more tips on roasting green beans with sea salt here.

5) Fresh Green Beans with Thyme and Garlic

There’s something about green beans with thyme and garlic that just works. Trim your green beans and boil them in salted water until they’re tender but still have a bite—just 3 to 5 minutes.

Sauté minced garlic in olive oil or butter until it smells amazing. Add the drained green beans and fresh thyme leaves.

Cook it all together until the beans are lightly browned and coated in those flavors. The fresh herbs and garlic make this side dish pop.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil green beans in salted water for 3-5 minutes.
2. Drain beans and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add green beans and thyme to the pan.
6. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring until beans are lightly browned.
7. Season with salt and serve warm.

For more ideas on green beans with garlic and thyme, see this Garlic and Thyme Green Beans Recipe.

6) Green Beans Amandine with Toasted Almonds

Green Beans Amandine is a French classic that’s easier than it sounds. Steam or blanch your green beans until tender but still crisp.

Sauté slivered almonds in butter until they’re golden and fragrant. Add garlic or shallots if you want a little more flavor.

Toss in the green beans and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice. It’s elegant but not fussy—great for impressing guests or just yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• ¼ cup slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Steam or blanch green beans until tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Drain well.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add almonds and cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Stir often.
4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds if using.
5. Toss in green beans and heat through.
6. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve warm.

For more details, check Haricots Verts Amandine.

7) Garlic and Herb Green Beans Sauté

Sautéing green beans with garlic and herbs makes a side dish that’s hard not to love. Heat up some butter or olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Add minced garlic and cook until you see a light golden color. Next, add your green beans and toss them in the garlic and oil.

Let them cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Toss in fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for a boost of flavor.

To soften the beans, pour in a splash of water and cover the pan for a few minutes. The beans stay crisp but get just tender enough.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until golden.
3. Add green beans and toss for 5 minutes.
4. Sprinkle herbs into the pan.
5. Pour water, cover, and cook 3-4 minutes until beans are tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Learn more about sautéed green beans with garlic and herbs.

8) Easy Buttered Green Beans

Buttered green beans are as simple as it gets. Just cook fresh green beans until they’re tender but still have a little snap.

Toss them with butter for a rich, smooth finish. A sprinkle of salt and pepper brings out their best.

If you want, throw in a bit of garlic for extra flavor. This recipe is quick and works with almost any meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1-2 garlic cloves, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil—should hit 212°F (100°C).

2. Toss in the green beans and let them cook for 4 to 5 minutes. You want them tender but still a bit crisp.

3. Drain the beans, then put them back in the pot.

4. Add butter, salt, pepper, and garlic if you’re using it.

5. Stir everything up until the butter melts and coats the beans.

6. Serve while they’re warm.

For more ideas, check out this buttered green beans recipe.

9) Green Beans with Shallots and Lemon

This one’s simple, but the flavors really pop. Sauté green beans with shallots, then hit them with lemon for a bright, zesty kick.

The shallots bring a gentle sweetness that works well with the beans’ crunch.

Finish with a bit of butter or olive oil if you want to keep things light. It cooks fast—honestly, it’s a no-brainer for a quick side.

A little lemon juice and zest give it just enough tang. If you’re into a hint of sweetness, drizzle in some honey.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1–2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 2 small shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the shallots and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes, just until they soften up.

3. Toss in the green beans and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. You want them tender but still with a little snap.

4. Stir in the lemon juice and zest. Let it cook for another minute.

5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

You can find more details at Green Beans with Lemon and Shallots from Alex Guarnaschelli.

10) Green Beans with Olive Oil and Minced Garlic

This one’s about as easy as it gets. You’ll cook fresh green beans in olive oil with minced garlic until they’re just right—tender, but not mushy.

The garlic gives a nice punch without taking over.

Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.

Add the garlic and cook until it’s fragrant and just turning golden.

Throw in your green beans. Toss them around in the garlicky oil for about 4 to 6 minutes.

Let them get a bit of color and soften up. Hit them with salt and pepper at the end.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Toss in the minced garlic. Let it sizzle for about a minute or two, just until you catch that amazing aroma.

3. Throw the green beans into the skillet.

4. Stir them around now and then. Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the beans look a bit browned and feel slightly tender.

5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve them up while they’re still warm.

If you want more ideas about garlic and green beans, check out this garlic sautéed green beans recipe.