My favorite side dishes to make are like this Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans recipe. This dish only requires a few ingredients, is inexpensive, healthy, and quick and easy. I love it when that happens!
These green beans differ from the canned type because these are firmer. I do eat the canned variety at times. When my kids were little and we were on a very tight budget that is all we ate. My sautéed green beans are packed with vitamins, and I can feel better about feeding them to my family.
You could use vegetable oil, but olive oil has the “healthy fat”, so these are better for you if you use olive oil. Since we are trying to eat healthier I make little tweaks like swapping oils, using fresh instead of canned, and using less salt. I figure if I make little changes here and there it will add up to an overall healthier lifestyle. So far I haven’t made any changes that I haven’t liked, and felt good about making. For this recipe I take help form the grocery store by using the kind of garlic that comes in a jar, it is chopped and ready to go. I find myself using this more and more because it is so convenient.
I tend to go with a less is more philosophy when I cook (most of the time), so a little garlic, salt and pepper make the most delicious green beans, in my opinion.
Ingredient Notes:
See recipe card below for exact measurements.
Five ingredients are all you need to make this perfect side dish that goes with just about any main dish you can think of.
Green Beans – we buy them in bulk in the produce section. My Walmart has them in a package that are already washed and trimmed and I buy them if they are out of the bulk ones.
Olive Oil – this has the healthy fat to make this the perfect healthy side dish.
Garlic – use a little or a lot depending on your personal preference. Fresh garlic or the kind in the jar both work perfectly.
S&P – Regular or Kosher salt will work and you can use freshly ground or already ground black pepper.
How to Make Pan-Fried Green Beans:
- Wash green beans and trim ends.
- Heat a medium or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green beans and water to the hot pan, bring to a boil then reduce to medium heat, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Uncover, raise heat to medium-high, add olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper; cook until water evaporates, stirring often, about 2 minutes.
How to Select Green Beans:
Look for beans that are a bright green color free of brown spots. They should also be crisp and they should not feel slimy.
Recipe Note:
We like our beans to be tender. If you would like crisp tender beans then adjust the cook time down a couple of minutes to accomplish this.
Omissions Substitutions & Additions:
- Not a fan of garlic? Just leave it out.
- Swap the olive oil with a little butter, though the olive oil is healthier.
- Add some red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Lemon juice or lemon zest would be a nice addition for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Add a little soy sauce for an Asian flair.
- Don’t have garlic then use garlic powder instead.
- Add some onion powder for added flavor.
Other Healthy Side Dish Recipes:
Roasted Zucchini & Summer Squash
Roasted Hearts of Palm & Artichokes
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Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans washed and trimmed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add green beans and water, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Uncover, raise heat to medium-high, add olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper; cook until water evaporates, stirring often, about 2 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
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Do you think I can make these ahead of time and reheat?
I don’t see why not, but I have never done it.
I will try it and let you know. Thanks!
Didn’t tweak at all, didn’t need to! Love this simple effective recipe that you can change up with different oils and spices if you want. Thank you! My new way to cook green beans ❤️
You are welcome, thanks for the comment. We are glad you like it!
Green bean season! Yummy! My tweaks- basically steamed about 6-7 minutes. Drained remaining water. Added sesame oil to one side of pan, turned up heat. Added garlic. No salt or pepper, but, yes, onion powder. Once hot… stir-fried. Sprinkled maybe 1.5 tsp of brown sugar over, added maybe 1/4-1/2 cup of sauce, all while stirring. A few red pepper flakes.. amazing! Thank you!
You are welcome, your beans sound yummy!
Just got fresh beans and can’t wait to make with.baked sweet potatoes and stuffed cabbage (piggies) for dinner tonight.
Sounds delicious!
Looking forward to trying these!
Can I use frozen green beans?
I think so, not sure of the cooking time though. Thanks, Mindy
Thanks for the easy recipe. Being reading other recipes but they didnt go into details like your. Thanks again I’ll be watching for more recipes by you. Love fried green beans
Thanks so much!
These have become a staple in my house and in my dinner rotation at least once a week. This is a fantastic recipe and everyone I serve them to loves them!
They are good, aren’t they!? It is a great feeling to feed our loved ones food we know is healthy and tastes good too. Thanks!
Easy and looks good, Mindy. Would try it with adding some sesame oil.
I love sesame oil, so that sounds yummy!
Can you use can beans?
I think they would break apart because they are much softer than fresh beans.
These look awesome! I love recipes that are so easy like this! I do buy fresh garlic but I definitely have a jar of the stuff in the fridge to make dinners even quicker!
I buy fresh also, but sometimes I am too lazy to use it! Isn’t that terrible? Thanks for stopping by!
Simple and very delicious! I usually made mine with lots of minced garlic and a bit of chilli flakes.
Chili flakes will definitely give it a kick. I will have to try that sometime. Thanks, Angie!