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Sauteed green beans are easy to make and a great side dish when you’re just trying to get something on the table quickly. They’re packed with bright flavors that will please any palate.

News flash: it’s not a requirement for tasty recipes to be difficult and time consuming. Flavor packed recipes can be quick and easy, too! This one happens to be especially easy, using frozen green beans that won’t spoil if you forget to use them a few days after purchasing them!

As much as I love having french fries as a side dish to just about anything and everything, sometimes I need something green on the plate too. And these sautéed green beans are just that.

THEY’RE ABOUT TO BE YOUR NEW FAVORITE side DISH

overhead shot of sautéed green beans, shallot, and garlic

This recipe is exactly what I go for when I need something quick and healthy that’s also really delicious. Here’s a bunch of other reasons you’re going to love this recipe:

Less than 10 pantry staple ingredients
Get it on the table in 10 minutes
Fresh bright flavors that are perfect for any time of year
Green beans are rich in fiber and low in calories
Sauteing them in olive oil keeps them Whole30 compliant, low-carb, gluten free, among many other healthy things
This sautéed green beans recipe goes with just about anything

HOW TO SAUTE GREEN BEANS

Frozen green beans (or string beans) are so easy to prepare. They come frozen with the tips already removed so all you have to do is cook them.

Sure, you can throw the steamer bag in the microwave to make it even easier, but where’s the fun in that?!

When you cook them on the stovetop, they absorb all the other flavors in the skillet. This green bean recipe comes together in 3 simple steps:

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil, then add garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to medium and toss in the green beans. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.
When the green beans are tender and crisp, remove the skillet from the heat and season with lemon zest, flaky salt, and pink peppercorns.

Note: If you prefer to cook with fresh green beans, this recipe works with those too!

WHAT TO SEASON GREEN BEANS WITH

You might laugh when I tell you this, but I actually got the idea for this flavor profile from an indulgent, creamy pasta dish I had at a restaurant! The only thing missing here from that dish is some fresh pecorino cheese. And the pasta of course…

I don’t usually stray too far from this recipe, but here are a few other ways to season green beans:

A drizzle of Sriracha
Crispy bacon crumbles with blue cheese
Toasted pine nuts and a squeeze of lemon juice
A sprinkle of pecorino romano
Salt and pepper with fresh garlic

WHAT TO SERVE WITH SAUTEED GREEN BEANS

sauteed green beans on a white plate with a cornish hen and two black forks

Green beans are one of the most versatile side dishes out there, but here are some of my favorite recipes to pair them with:

WANT TO TRY THIS SAUTEED GREEN BEANS RECIPE?

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