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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans Recipe

    Published: Jan 26, 2017 · Updated: Aug 27, 2022 by Mindy Boyd

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    Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans recipe is a simple 5 ingredient side dish that is a tasty and healthy alternative to canned green beans. via @mindyscookingobsession

     

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    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!

    Close up view of green beans on a white plate with title text below it.

    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.

    Green beans on a white plate sitting on a striped towel.

    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.

    A side view of green beans on a white plate sitting on a striped towel.

    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.

    Raw green beans in a stainless steel skillet ready to be cooked.

    How to Make Pan-Fried Green Beans:

    1. Wash green beans and trim ends.
    2. 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.
    3. Uncover, raise heat to medium-high, add olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper; cook until water evaporates, stirring often, about 2 minutes.

    Overhead shot of an entire plate of green beans on white plate.

    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.

    The bottom portion of a plate of green beans sitting on a striped towel.

    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.

    Angles shot of a white plate of green beans that is sitting on a striped tea towel.

    Other Healthy Side Dish Recipes:

    Roasted Zucchini & Summer Squash

    Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts

    Roasted Hearts of Palm & Artichokes

    Honey Glazed Baby Carrots

     

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    Close up view of a serving of green beans on a whit plate.

    Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans

    Mindy Boyd
    Super Easy Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans combine string beans, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and water to make a healthy, tasty, quick, and easy side dish.
    4.82 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 17 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4

    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
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    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

    Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 783IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword fresh green beans
    Tried this recipe?Mention @mindyscookingobsession or tag #mindyscookingobsession!

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    Super Easy Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans combine string beans, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and water to make a healthy, tasty, quick, and easy side dish.

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    Related

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    • Roasted Zucchini & Summer Squash

    Filed Under: Side Dishes Tagged With: healthy, pan-fried green beans, sauteed green beans, side dish, string beans, vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly Hastings says

      November 23, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      Do you think I can make these ahead of time and reheat?

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        November 23, 2022 at 4:02 pm

        I don’t see why not, but I have never done it.

        Reply
        • Kelly Hastings says

          November 23, 2022 at 5:25 pm

          I will try it and let you know. Thanks!

          Reply
    2. Karrie says

      November 06, 2022 at 7:44 pm

      5 stars
      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 ❤️

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        November 06, 2022 at 7:47 pm

        You are welcome, thanks for the comment. We are glad you like it!

        Reply
    3. M says

      August 03, 2022 at 9:23 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        August 03, 2022 at 10:30 pm

        You are welcome, your beans sound yummy!

        Reply
    4. Judy says

      July 18, 2022 at 11:41 am

      Just got fresh beans and can’t wait to make with.baked sweet potatoes and stuffed cabbage (piggies) for dinner tonight.

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        July 18, 2022 at 7:13 pm

        Sounds delicious!

        Reply
    5. Daphne says

      March 24, 2022 at 11:39 pm

      Looking forward to trying these!

      Reply
    6. Yvette says

      May 20, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Can I use frozen green beans?

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        May 20, 2020 at 5:57 pm

        I think so, not sure of the cooking time though. Thanks, Mindy

        Reply
    7. Donna Voght says

      August 12, 2019 at 1:40 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        August 12, 2019 at 6:05 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    8. Rachael says

      January 17, 2019 at 8:37 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        January 18, 2019 at 10:25 am

        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!

        Reply
    9. Victoria @ HowDaily says

      August 17, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      Easy and looks good, Mindy. Would try it with adding some sesame oil.

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        August 17, 2017 at 12:56 pm

        I love sesame oil, so that sounds yummy!

        Reply
      • Judy Mauldin says

        September 09, 2019 at 1:05 pm

        Can you use can beans?

        Reply
        • Mindy Boyd says

          September 09, 2019 at 7:25 pm

          I think they would break apart because they are much softer than fresh beans.

          Reply
    10. Tabitha @ Tabitha Talks Food says

      January 27, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        January 28, 2017 at 11:57 am

        I buy fresh also, but sometimes I am too lazy to use it! Isn’t that terrible? Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    11. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

      January 27, 2017 at 12:28 am

      Simple and very delicious! I usually made mine with lots of minced garlic and a bit of chilli flakes.

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        January 27, 2017 at 12:22 pm

        Chili flakes will definitely give it a kick. I will have to try that sometime. Thanks, Angie!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Super Easy Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans combine string beans, olive oil, garlic, … – Delectable Salads says:
      August 23, 2017 at 5:23 pm

      […] The Recipe can be found HERE […]

      Reply

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    My name is Mindy and this is my husband, and biggest fan, Lee. I love cooking for my family. The purpose of this blog is to share my recipes and experiences in the kitchen. Most of the recipes that I make use ingredients that can be found in any grocery store. No special equipment or skills required.

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