Garlic Butter Green Beans {Vegetarian, Whole30}

Made with fresh or frozen produce, these simple Garlic Butter Green Beans are packed with so much flavor! Sure to become a favorite veggie side dish, you’ll make this easy gluten-free, vegetarian, Whole30, and paleo-friendly recipe again and again.

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You won’t find a simpler veggie side dish than these delicious green beans! From stove to table, they’re ready in only 10 minutes. And while they’re great for a holiday side dish, they really shine as a weeknight recipe that the whole family will love.

If you are into gardening, two key components of this recipe can be grown in your very own yard! Check out this post on how to plant garlic step by step and DIY garden trellises.

What’s In This Recipe?

Just a few simple ingredients:

• Green beans
• Butter (use ghee for Whole30/paleo, or vegan butter to make it dairy-free)
• Olive oil
• Fresh garlic
• Flaky salt (I used Maldon)

If you have leftover beans, try your hand at Garlic Butter Green Beans, Refrigerator Dilly Beans, Crispy Air Fryer Green Bean Fries, and Spicy Green Beans. I’ll even show you how to can green beans in this post.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• You can absolutely make these ahead of time as part of your meal prep! Simply blanch the green beans (instructions here in How to Blanch and Freeze Green Beans) and store in an air-tight container for up to three days. Add to the pan once the garlic butter is ready.
• To make this an even faster dish, use frozen pre-chopped garlic (related: How to Freeze Garlic the Easy Way).
• That awesome saucepan below is from Mealthy and I love how heavy it is for perfect solid heating.
• If using canned beans, drain well and toss in the garlic butter sauce for only 1-2 minutes or until they are heated through. You don’t want to overcook them.
• If using frozen beans, briefly heat in the microwave (~1 minute) or steamer basket (~2 minutes) before adding to the garlic butter.

Variations

• Everyone has a preference for the texture of their beans. For an al dente bite, follow the instructions below. Beans are ready in the steamer basket when they are bright green and vibrant. See recipe notes for softer texture cooking notes.
• Like a mellower garlic flavor? Try roasted like Air Fryer Roasted Garlic or Instant Pot Roasted Garlic.
• Top with delicious homemade Crispy Fried Onions for a delicious take on green bean casserole.
• Add some zested lemon and a sprinkle of Parmesan or pecorino romano to take this dish to the next level.

More Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes You’ll Love

• Spicy Sweet Potato Fries {Whole30, Paleo, Vegan}
• Air Fryer Cauliflower {Whole30, Paleo, Vegan, Keto}
• Nana’s Cucumber and Onion Salad
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Kale Chopped Salad
• Encurtido {Honduran Pickled Vegetables}
• Fried Cabbage With Bacon
• Check out all my other Vegetable Recipes

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Garlic Butter Green Beans {Vegetarian, Whole30}

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time20 mins

Sure to become a favorite veggie side dish, you'll love this easy recipe.

Servings: 4

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: How to Steam Green Beans

Calories: 76kcal

Author: Sarah Cook - Sustainable Cooks

Ingredients

• 2 cups green beans {trimmed}2 cups green beans {trimmed}
• 2 tbsp salted butter or ghee {ghee for Whole30}2 tbsp salted butter or ghee {ghee for Whole30}
• 1/2 tsp olive oil1/2 tsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic {minced}3 cloves garlic {minced}
• pinch of salt {optional}pinch of salt {optional}

Instructions

• Trim the ends of green beans.
• Add 1-2 inches of water to a saucepan and fit with a steamer basket. Bring to a full boil before adding the beans.
• Reduce heat to medium, steam green beans covered for 4-5 minutes (larger beans may take 5-6). Remove from heat.
• While the beans are steaming, heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt butter in hot skillet.
• Add olive oil and minced garlic to the melted butter. Cook until garlic is lightly browned (2-3 minutes), stirring often.
• Add steamed beans to the garlic butter and toss to coat. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until they have reached your desired texture.

Notes

Beans will be al dente following the directions in the recipe. If you prefer a softer green bean texture, steam for an extra 1-2 minutes, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes in the garlic butter.

 

Meal prep these by blanching the green beans (instructions here in How to Blanch and Freeze Green Beans) and storing in an air-tight container for up to three days. Add to the pan once the garlic butter is ready.

Nutrition Facts

Garlic Butter Green Beans {Vegetarian, Whole30}

Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)

Calories 76 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 15mg5%

Sodium 54mg2%

Potassium 125mg4%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 554IU11%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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