Need a quick, tasty way to add greens to your meal? These garlic green beans are your answer! Ready in just 10 minutes and cooked in one pan, they’re the perfect mix of crisp and tender, brought to life with a simple yet delicious garlic soy sauce.
One-Pan Recipe:
- Less Mess: Forget about boiling water and using multiple pots. This recipe lets you do everything in one pan, meaning you spend less time washing up.
- Easy Cooking: The green beans are steamed right in the pan with a splash of water. After they’re perfectly cooked, they get tossed in garlic soy sauce in the same pan for maximum flavor.
How I Store My Green Beans
- Fresh and Ready: I pick up my fresh green beans from Costco. They come washed and trimmed, which is super convenient.
- Storage Tips: Once home, I remove them from the plastic packaging and store them in a container with paper towels at the bottom and top. This keeps them dry and fresh, which means I can use the 2lb bag for several meals.
Tips for Getting Perfectly Cooked Green Beans:
- Avoid Overcooking: This recipe is best with a bit of a crunch. Avoid overcooking them and letting them get soggy or mushy. Aim for a texture that’s crispy yet tender.
- Bright Green is Key: Once they turn a vibrant green, remove the heat. If they snap when bent, they’re done just right.
- A Little Under is Okay: If they seem a tad undercooked when you take them off, don’t worry. They’ll keep cooking as they’re tossed with the hot garlic sauce.
How to Serve Garlic Green Beans:
These garlic green beans pair wonderfully with any protein, making them a versatile side dish for any meal.
Or, enjoy them as a light meal with just a bowl of rice. Simple and satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb green beans cleaned and trimmed
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes *optional
Garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/8 tsp black pepper *omit if adding red pepper flakes
Recipe Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the garlic sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add trimmed green beans to a pan and add water. Cover with a lid and turn heat on to medium. Let the green beans steam in the pan until they turn bright green (about 6 minutes). Gently shake the pan with lid still on every so often to ensure even cooking. Do not overcook the beans. They should be slightly undercooked and snap when bent.
- Add oil to the pan and give it a quick toss then add garlic sauce. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if desired. Saute until the garlic is toasted and becomes fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
- Serve immediately.
Enjoy your perfectly cooked, flavorful garlic green beans as a quick and easy addition to any meal. They’re a testament to how simple ingredients can transform into something delicious with just a little care and technique.
Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans cleaned and trimmed
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes *optional
Garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/8 tsp black pepper *omit if adding red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the garlic sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add trimmed green beans to a pan and add water. Cover with a lid and turn heat on to medium. Let the green beans steam in the pan until they turn bright green (about 6 minutes). Gently shake the pan with lid still on every so often to ensure even cooking. Do not overcook the beans. They should be slightly undercooked and snap when bent.
- Add oil to the pan and give it a quick toss then add garlic sauce. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if desired. Saute until the garlic is toasted and becomes fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
- Serve immediately.
