Are you tired of mushy, bland green beans that nobody wants to eat? Prepare to revolutionize your side dish game with these Buttery Crisp Sautéed Green Beans that promise a delightful crunch and burst of flavor in every single bite! This quick and easy recipe transforms ordinary green beans into a restaurant-worthy side that will have your family and guests begging for seconds. With just a few simple ingredients and a clever cooking technique, you'll create a dish that's both elegant and irresistibly delicious.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the fresh green beans thoroughly under cold running water. Pat them completely dry using clean kitchen towels or paper towels to ensure crisp sautéing.
- Trim the ends of the green beans by cutting off the tough stem ends. Aim for uniform bean length for even cooking.
- Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves, ensuring they are chopped into small, uniform pieces to distribute flavor evenly.
- Place a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Allow the pan to become hot before adding butter.
- Add butter to the hot pan and let it melt completely, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan. Watch for the butter to become slightly foamy but not browned.
- Add minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Carefully add trimmed green beans to the pan, spreading them in a single layer to ensure maximum contact with the hot surface.
- Sauté the green beans for 6-8 minutes, tossing or stirring occasionally to promote even browning and crisp texture.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, continuing to toss the beans to distribute seasoning evenly.
- Remove from heat when beans are bright green, crisp-tender, and have slight caramelized edges.
- Transfer immediately to a serving dish, allowing any remaining butter to glaze the beans for extra flavor.
Tips
- Moisture is the enemy of crispy beans! Always thoroughly dry your green beans after washing to ensure they sauté instead of steam.
- Use a wide, heavy-bottomed skillet to give beans maximum contact with the hot surface, creating those desirable caramelized edges.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - spread beans in a single layer to achieve optimal crispness and even cooking.
- Watch your butter carefully - it should be foamy but not browned to prevent burning and maintain a clean, rich flavor.
- Keep the heat at medium-high and resist the urge to constantly stir. Let the beans sit briefly to develop those beautiful golden-brown spots.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or toasted sliced almonds just before serving for a gourmet touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 70kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 2g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 10mg
