Blistered Green Beans with garlic are the veggie side dish recipe for any meal! Fancy enough for holiday dinners and easy enough to make for busy weeknight dinners! Just 5 ingredients and done in only 15 minutes!

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Sometimes you need an easy veggie that just works, right? This recipe is perfect for any season, any time of the year and good enough for holiday and Thanksgiving dinner.
These blistered green beans with garlic are a delicious veggie side dish to salmon, air fryer turkey breast, Italian quesadillas, chicken parmesan - pretty much any weeknight dinner or holiday meal.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple ingredients. You only need fresh beans, seasoning, garlic and olive oil to make this recipe. Just a few ingredients and so quick to make.
- Family & kid friendly. If you're trying to get your kids to eat more veggies, this is the recipe to try. Even my picky eaters will gobble this one up.
- Customizable. You can make these with different flavors if you want! Adding in some miso, soy sauce and peppers make this a spicy version, or you could try adding in lemon, tomatoes or fried shallots.
- Works for Thanksgiving or holiday dinners or any day of the week.
- So flavorful. Tastes fried but cooked on the skillet instead and with a fraction of the oil making them low calorie and low fat.
Ingredients for This Recipe
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Green beans: fresh or frozen are recommended, I do not recommend canned.
- Olive Oil: alternatively, you can use butter.
How to Make This Recipe
This is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cook time and temperatures.
Start by blanching them in 4 cups of boiling water for 4-6 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. Then, drain them using a colander.
In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, turn the heat down a bit and add the grated garlic.
Add the blanched green beans and stir in the skillet until they are blistered to your liking, usually no more than 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Expert Tips
- Allow them to brown longer to get a more crispy version.
- I don't recommend making these ahead if you want crispy ones. If you don't mind them being less crispy you can make them ahead and reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.
- Add in customizations if you want! A few ideas are tomatoes, fried shallots, lemon juice, almonds or pistachios, or a spicy Chinese version with red pepper flakes, miso and soy sauce.
- Recipe can be doubled for a larger gathering.
FAQs
This is a personal choice. I generally buy the bagged version that are already cleaned and trimmed. However, if you head to your local farmer's market or get a CSA you can either leave the tips on or cut them off.
These are a nice mix of crunch and firmness withe great flavor. To prevent overcooking, keep an eye on the the skillet and remove from the heat once they have reach your desired level of blistering. It's really with this recipe as the by hard to overcook these as the brown bits are so crunchy and delicious!
Pre-cooking fresh string beans in boiling water, also known as blanching, will cut down on your skillet and cook time. Par-boil them for about 4-6 minutes to get them partially cooked. Drain them and then add them to the hot olive oil and garlic.
Frozen works just as well as fresh. Just be sure to pass on the canned version for this recipe.
Related Recipes
Blistered Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans cleaned and trimmed
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot filled with 4 cups of water to a boil. Add cleaned green beans to boiling water and boil for 4-6 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. Then, drain the beans.
- In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, turn the heat down to medium-low and add the grated garlic.
- Add the blanched green beans and stir in the skillet until beans are blistered to your liking. Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Allow them to brown longer to get a more crispy version.
- I don't recommend making these ahead if you want crispy ones. If you don't mind them being less crispy you can make them ahead and reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.
- Add in customizations if you want! A few ideas are tomatoes, fried shallots, lemon juice, almonds or pistachios, or a spicy Chinese version with red pepper flakes, miso and soy sauce.
- Recipe can be doubled for a larger gathering.
marta
Quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!
Lyndsey
I'm so glad you liked it Marta! Thanks for your comment and rating!
Shari
Lyndsey, we absolutely love your Garlic Green Beans as your recipe offers the cook to go “outside the box” and add her own creative touch! This is my third time and I’ve added fresh tarragon and toasted sliced almonds! Thanks for your detailed recipe sharing! You’re the BEST!!!
Lyndsey
Thank you so much! I love the additions you made as well. I appreciate the comment and rating so much!