• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Inspired logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
    • The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook
    • The Meat-Free Kitchen
    • Plant-Based Diet Cookbook For Dummies
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Veganuary
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Veganuary
    • About
    • Cookbooks
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Easy Garlic Green Beans

    Published: Aug 25, 2022 by Jenn Sebestyen

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Wooden spoon sautéing green beans in a skillet with garlic and herbs.
    Finished dish on a brown rimmed white rectangular serving platter.
    Finished dish on a brown rimmed white rectangular serving platter.
    Close up of cooked green beans on a plate.

    These easy Garlic Green Beans are sautéed until crisp-tender and make the perfect side dish for just about any meal. Vegan, gluten-free, and ready in just 15 minutes!

    Sautéed garlic green beans in a skillet.

    Plenty of fresh garlic and herbaceous Italian seasoning are featured in this quick green bean recipe.

    Use fresh green beans when they’re in season or frozen when they’re not. These garlic green beans are so easy and versatile!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Ingredients you need
    2 How to make the recipe
    3 Storage and freezing
    4 How to serve
    5 Pro tips and tricks
    6 FAQs
    7 More vegan recipes with green beans
    8 Sautéed Garlic Green Beans

    Ingredients you need

    Recipe ingredients arrayed in individual bowls.
    Garlic Green Beans ingredients: fresh green beans, garlic, oil, Italian seasoning, salt.

    Ingredient notes and substitutions

    Green beans ~ Use fresh green beans when they’re in season. There is no comparison in terms of taste and texture.

    However, you can use frozen green beans when fresh aren’t in season. Just like in my Vegan Green Bean Casserole, let them thaw on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes and then drain well before adding to the skillet.

    Do not used canned green beans!

    Garlic ~ Four small garlic cloves provides plenty of garlic flavor without being overwhelming. If you really love garlic, you can increase the amount.

    Fresh is best. In a pinch, you can use jarred minced garlic. And if you have neither of those, use 1 teaspoon garlic powder.

    Oil ~ Olive oil, avocado oil, even coconut oil would all work. Vegan butter can be substituted.

    For an oil-free option, use ½ cup of water or vegetable broth instead.

    Herbs ~ Dried Italian seasoning is a plant-based pantry staple and works really well in this dish. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use any combination of dried oregano, parsley, thyme, and/or basil.

    Extras ~ Like heat? Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

    Like pepper? Add a pinch of fresh cracked black pepper.

    Like brightness? Add a squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving.

    Like crunch? Add toasted sliced almonds or toasted panko bread crumbs just before serving.

    Like cheesy? Sprinkle a couple tablespoons of vegan parmesan cheese over the top.

    How to make the recipe

    3 photo collage of green beans in a skillet, with garlic, and with herbs.

    Heat the oil in a non-stick large skillet over medium heat, then add the green beans (1), minced garlic (2), and Italian seasoning and salt (3).

    Wooden spoon sautéing green beans in a skillet with garlic and herbs.

    Stir well to combine, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

    Storage and freezing

    Fridge: Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Freezer: While cooked green beans can be frozen, they do lose some of the texture after thawing. These Garlic Green Beans are so quick and easy to make, that I suggest just making them fresh every time. However, they will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months if you must.

    How to serve

    Finished dish on a brown rimmed white rectangular serving platter.

    Garlic Green Beans are a great side dish for almost any meal.

    Pair them with Vegan Bolognese, pasta, and Vegan Garlic Bread for an Italian feast.

    Serve them alongside Vegan Chicken Cutlets, Baked Tofu, or BBQ Lentils.

    Pile up your plate with even more veggies like Sautéed Zucchini and Yellow Squash, Roasted Radishes and Brussels Sprouts, or Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes.

    They’ll also be a quick and healthy addition to your vegan Thanksgiving menu along with Vegan Mushroom Stuffing, Roasted Rainbow Carrots, Dairy-Free Cornbread, and Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce.

    Pro tips and tricks

    ~ Trim the stem end of the green beans using kitchen shears or a sharp knife. You’ll also want to trim and discard any discolored or damaged spots.

    ~ Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid to ensure the beans get cooked through.

    ~ Stir occasionally during the cooking process and make sure the garlic doesn’t burn. Turn down the heat if necessary.

    ~ For an oil-free option, use ½ cup of water or vegetable broth instead of oil.

    ~ Add crushed red pepper flakes for some heat or a pinch of fresh cracked black pepper, if you like.

    FAQs

    Do you need to prep fresh green beans?

    Yes, wash them well and trim off the stem end of the beans…the part that was attached to the plant. No need to trim the tail end, but you can if you prefer the way it looks.

    Should I blanch green beans before sautéing?

    I don’t think it’s necessary to blanch green beans before sautéing. Blanching can help them maintain their bright green color, but since we aren’t cooking them that long, they won’t lose much color anyway.

    Are garlic green beans healthy?

    Green beans are a nutrient dense vegetable. They’re low in calories and fat and contain good amounts of vitamins A, C, K, folate and fiber. [source]
    While these garlicky green beans do contain fat from the oil, you can make it oil-free by using water or vegetable broth instead.

    Fork on a plate with fresh cooked beans.

    More vegan recipes with green beans

    • Easy Green Bean Broccoli Stir Fry
    • Vegan Green Curry Vegetables
    • Vegan Minestrone Soup
    • Vegetable White Bean Soup

    I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.

    Be sure to sign up for my FREE Newsletter to be the first to get my NEW recipes! You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.


    For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!

    Sautéed garlic green beans in a skillet.

    Sautéed Garlic Green Beans

    These easy Garlic Green Beans are sautéed until crisp-tender and make the perfect side dish for just about any meal. Vegan, gluten-free, and ready in just 15 minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 13 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 90kcal
    Author: Jenn Sebestyen

    Recommended Equipment

    • Large non-stick skillet

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoons oil olive, avocado, or vegetable
    • 1 pound fresh greens beans washed and trimmed
    • 4 small cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the green beans, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well to combine.
    • Cover and decrease the temperature to low. Cook the green beans for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender, but still crisp.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    ~ Trim the stem end of the green beans using kitchen shears or a sharp knife. You’ll also want to trim and discard any discolored or damaged spots.
    ~ Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid to ensure the beans get cooked through.
    ~ Stir occasionally during the cooking process and make sure the garlic doesn’t burn. Turn down the heat if necessary.
    ~ For an oil-free option, use ½ cup of water or vegetable broth instead of oil.
    ~ Add crushed red pepper flakes for some heat or a pinch of fresh cracked black pepper, if you like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g

    Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.

    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Veggie_Inspired or tag #VeggieInspired!
    27 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Jenn Sebestyen of Veggie Inspired

    Hi, I'm Jenn! This is where I share delicious plant based recipes for the whole family. I love to cook; I can read cookbooks like novels; and I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen by making standard American favorites healthier.

    More about me →

    Order your copy today!

    The Meatless Monday Cookbook Cover

    Clean Eating

    • The Ultimate Guide to Making Salads for Dinner
    • Vegan Green Goddess Dip
    • Tahini Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free)
    • Easy Vegan Mayonnaise with Silken Tofu

    Top Rated

    • Garden Veggie Pasta
    • Veggie Cream Cheese
    • BBQ Chickpeas Sandwiches
    • Vegan Cinnamon Cookies

    Featured In

    As featured in collage.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Nutrition Disclaimer
    • Copyright Statement

    • Sign Up Now for the latest FREE recipes

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Publicity and Press

    Copyright © 2023 Veggie Inspired, LLC

    27 shares