Easy French Green Beans with Garlic (Haricots Verts)
Easy French Green Beans sautéed with butter and garlic is not only a quick side dish to make, it’s a great option for both busy weeknight dinners or elegant meals. With this recipe, you can have consistent, restaurant-style green beans every time.
Simple Skillet French Green Bean Recipe
Having a quick and easy side dish in my arsenal is a must for an easy weeknight dinner. But, having a recipe that’s also versatile and refined enough to use for a special occasion or dinner party is even better! French green beans are the perfect solution. Their size and shape make them both quick cooking and elegant.
I think the best way to enjoy French green beans is when they’re al dente…you know, when they’re just cooked through but still have some tooth to them. That’s easily achieved with a short steam and sauté to retain their fresh flavor + texture and bright green color. (You can also steam and sauté in a single pan!)
This easy green bean recipe can be adapted to include your favorite flavors, but in it’s simplest form, it’s the perfect supporting act for main dishes like juicy roast chicken, red wine braised beef, saucy seafood, stuffed pork chops and more!
Gather Your Ingredients
In addition to kosher salt + fresh cracked black pepper, you’ll need just four other ingredients…
- French green beans – these are the same species as the regular green beans we know in the U.S., but are long, slender, and more tender because they are harvested earlier. You may also see them labeled as haricots verts (the French translation). They are not to be confused with French-cut beans, which are fresh green beans that have been julienned, or thinly sliced.
- Unsalted butter – is used to gently sauté the garlic before tossing with the beans. It adds a beautiful sheen and lets the fresh flavor of the beans come through.
- Garlic cloves – I don’t go heavy on the garlic, preferring to use just one clove. If more is your style, go for it!
- Water – to quick-steam the beans.
How to Make Sautéed French Green Beans
This recipe has a quick cooking process, so it’s best to have your tools and ingredients measured and staged before you begin. All the cooking is done in one pan; I recommend a large sauté pan or skillet with a lid.
- Add water to a large skillet over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Add beans to the boiling water in an even layer and cover the skillet. Steam for 3 minutes.
- Drain the beans and water from the pan over a colander. Return the pan to medium heat and allow any residual water to evaporate.
- Add the butter to melt, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Return the beans to the pan and toss with the garlic and butter for another minute. Season with a pinch of salt + fresh cracked pepper to taste.
💡 TIP: That 3-minute steam will yield crisp-tender french green beans. If you prefer more tender green beans, allow them to steam one or two extra minutes.
Recipe Variations
Take this simple french green beans recipe in another direction by adding or substituting different ingredients.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – use instead of the butter for an earthier flavor or to make this dish vegan.
- Shallots – use instead of or in addition to the garlic. Mince or thinly slice a small shallot and sauté in butter (or olive oil) for 2 to 3 minutes before adding garlic (cook for 30 seconds), then the green beans.
- Mushrooms – bulk up your side dish by adding 4 to 8 oz. of sautéed sliced mushrooms.
- Bacon – add some savory goodness with a garnish of crispy bacon or pancetta crumbles. Substitute 1 tbsp of the rendered fat for the butter.
- Nuts – add a crunchy texture with 2 to 3 tablespoons of toasted almonds (a la green beans almondine) or pine nuts. Use toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
- Lemon – brighten up sautéed green beans with a squeeze of lemon juice or a little lemon zest.
- Fresh herbs – layer on the flavor with fresh chopped basil, dill, parsley, tarragon or thyme.
- Spicy – add some heat with a dash of red pepper flakes.
- Cheesy – there’s nothing wrong with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese!
Leftovers: Storing, Reheating, Repurposing
Storing – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Reheating – The quickest way to reheat leftover green beans is in the microwave or on your stovetop.
- Microwave beans for one minute, then stir. Cook longer as needed, in 30 second increments. Keep in mind that the texture will never be the same as when they were originally cooked.
- Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the beans and sauté until heated through, tossing frequently. With this method, you can ‘sear’ or slightly brown the beans for a new flavor and textural spin.
Repurposing – I ended up with a lot of leftover French beans when testing this recipe (for the perfect steam + sauté times). Because the recipe is delicately seasoned with just salt and pepper, it makes it versatile enough to use in other dishes.
- Like an Asian stir fry! Since they are already cooked, add them toward the end of any stir fry recipe just to heat through.
- Add them to hot or cold pasta dishes.
- Toss them into salads.
- Turn them into a green bean casserole.
Eat Your Veggie Side Dishes!
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots
- Spicy Garlic Tomato Confit
- Asiago Creamed Spinach Casserole
- Grilled Carrots with Persillade
- Grilled Asparagus with Anchovy Breadcrumbs
Easy French Greens with Garlic (Haricots Verts)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- 1 pound french green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, use olive oil to make it vegan
- 1 clove garlic, (or more, to taste) finely minced or pressed
- kosher salt + fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Mise en place: Trim stem ends off the beans. Mince the garlic. Measure and stage the remaining ingredients.
- Add water to a 12-inch sauté pan (with a lid) over medium high and bring to a boil.
- As soon as the water is boiling, add the beans in an even layer and cover the pan. Steam for 3 minutes. (See note 1)
- Drain the green beans and water from the pan over a colander. Return the pan to medium heat and allow any residual water to evaporate.
- Add the butter to melt. Once bubbly, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Return the beans to the pan and toss with the garlic and butter for another minute. Season with salt + pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- A 3-minute steam will yield crisp-tender french green beans. If you prefer more tender green beans, allow them to steam one or two extra minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- To reheat:
- Microwave beans for one minute, then stir. Cook longer as needed, in 30 second increments. Keep in mind that the texture will never be the same as when they were originally cooked.
- Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beans and sauté until heated through, tossing frequently. With this method, you can ‘sear’ or slightly brown the beans for a new flavor and textural spin.
Nutrition
Pin for Later! Easy French Green Beans
