Pan-Fried Green Beans

Personally, one of my favorite side dishes to make is this pan-fried green beans recipe. This recipe will require only a few ingredients, and it is budget-friendly, healthy, fast, and easy.

Now, let’s get into the details. These green beans are different from the canned type as they are firmer.

I normally eat the canned variety too, but these sautéed green beans are filled with vitamins and are a dish that is quite beneficial to your family.

If you are looking for a simple and delectable way to enjoy fresh green beans, then pan-seared greens are your best bet.

All you have to do is dip your pan-fried green beans coated with seasoning and paired with a tangy dipping sauce.

What Are Green Beans?

You might be confused about whether green beans and string beans are the same; well, they are the same thing.

Below are some more facts about green beans:

Phaseolus vulgaris

Well, green beans and string beans are the same thing. Green beans are a type of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), which can also be purple or yellow.

Other Names for Green Beans

The other names for green beans include wax beans, filet beans, Haricot Vert, and snap beans.

That being said, haricot vert is more slender and succulent and is meant to be picked when it is smaller. However, in the market, wax beans are normally yellow.

What Exactly Are Green Beans?

In the Leguminosae family, which also includes peas, lentils, garbanzos, and peanuts, green beans are tender annuals.

They are eaten fresh, unlike dry beans, which are grown for their mature bean seeds.

Why You’ll Love These Pan-Fried Green Beans

Quick and Convenient to Cook

Forget about the demanding prep work or long cooking times; all you need for this recipe is 15 minutes and a skillet. I will say that this is the perfect recipe for those who love excellent food but are short on time.

Effortless & Elegance

This dish will provide you with the experience of having a gourmet meal on a Tuesday night. It transforms humble green beans into a grand side that is both simple to make and sophisticated, which makes it perfect for weeknights or special events.

Versatile and Flavorful

These green beans are the perfect companion to a variety of main courses, thanks to the blend of garlic, Italian seasoning, and a zing of lemon.

In addition, you can dial the heat up or down with an optional red pepper flavor to suit every palate.

Purchasing Green Beans

When it comes to buying green beans, I suggest that you take a moment at the grocery store to pick out the best-looking green beans. You might as well stand there and pick and choose which beans go into your bag if the beans are not all looking stellar.

It is highly recommended that you also choose fresh green beans that are free from wrinkles or any spots that are becoming mushy.

Skillet Green Beans Recipe

• Course: Side Dish
• Cuisine: American
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4

This easy pan-fried green bean recipe with lemon and garlic will be ready in 30 minutes and can be served with any meal.

The truth is that this just can’t get simpler than a handful of ingredients in one pan; you will love them.

Equipment

• 12-inch cast iron skillet

Ingredients

• 1 pound of fresh green beans
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon of pepper (or to taste)
• ¼ cup of chicken broth (low sodium or no sodium added)
• ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon of salt (or to taste)

Laid-Out Instructions

• First, you are to heat the skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. And, immediately after it is melted, proceed to add the garlic and allow it to sauté for around 30 seconds or until it becomes aromatic.
• After that, proceed to stir in the green beans, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and broth. That being done, cover the skillet cook for 10 to 12 minutes, and make sure you stir from time to time.
• Now, you can uncover the skillet, turn the heat down to medium-low, and continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Do this just until the green beans begin to sear a bit. Finally, proceed to stir in the lemon juice, garnish with parsley, and then serve it warm.

What to Serve With Green Beans

You can always pair these green beans with roasted turkey breast or herb-roasted chicken for a smaller feast.

And, you can serve these skillet green beans with roasted turkey or pork loin roast with apple chutney if what you want is a traditional holiday meal or Sunday supper.

Another main course option that you can serve your delicious green beans with is roasted chicken thighs with crunchy skin.

In addition, you can just go with vegetable lasagna or veggie quiche if you want a vegetarian meal.

These green beans are an excellent complement to grilled meat and poultry. They are great with lemon garlic marinated chicken or grilled sirloin steak with chimichurri sauce.

Storage

Your green beans will last around 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but make sure you store them in a tightly sealed container.

In addition, these green beans can also freeze quite well, so just store them in an airtight container or tightly wrap them if you want to extend their shelf life. Doing this will make them last for about 4 to 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Prepare This Dish Ahead of Time for a Dinner Party?

Of course, you can prep the green beans and garlic in advance; however, in my opinion, I will suggest that you cook them close to the serving time.

This is so because the dish does shine great when the beans are freshly cooked and the flavors are at their peak.

Can I Use Frozen Green Beans?

Well, it can be quite difficult to dry frozen green beans well enough to make them safe to cook over high heat.

But if your option is to use green beans that you have in your freezer, then go ahead and cook them in a skillet over medium-high and cook them from frozen for around 8 to 10 minutes.

However, keep in mind that frozen green beans will have a softer texture and will not develop the delicious dark bits.

Can I Make This Dish Vegetarian or Vegan?

You definitely can. All you need to do is swap the butter for olive oil or a plant-based butter and use vegetable broth rather than chicken broth. Then you have to yourself a plant enthusiast’s dream.

Can I Skip The Red Pepper Flakes?

There are several reasons why you might want to skip the red pepper flakes, or maybe you are just not a fan of spicy food.

Well, fortunately, the red pepper flakes are optional and mostly for people who like a little kick in their dish. The thing is that the beans will still be flavor-packed without them.

Final Thoughts

These green beans are tender yet crisp, swathed in a buttery, garlic-infused sauce.

I consider them to be show-stoppers you never knew you needed.

These skillet green beans are where simple comfort meets gourmet flavor, all in one skillet.

This dish is as quick as it is delicious, all in just 15 minutes of cooking time. A spray of lemon and a spritz of parsley will elevate it from everyday fare to guest-worthy food.

This easy pan-fried green beans recipe isn’t just a side dish, but a statement piece for your dinner table.