Proper Skillet Green Beans are just minutes away. See how to cook green beans in only 15 minutes, plus seven different flavor variations!
If you have an Air Fryer, try these Air Fryer Green Beans.
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Green Beans in a Pan
Green beans are one of those side dishes that I can never get tired of, especially when they’re dressed in different ways. Green Beans are so nutritious and versatile—you can cook them up to compliment any main dish. Check out my flavor variations below!
Green Beans in Skillet is the best way to cook fresh green beans
The best way to cook these beans is to let their fresh, nutritious flavor shine. That’s why I like this basic Skillet Green Beans recipe. The beans are the star of the dish and are dressed with a small amount of butter, salt, and pepper.
How to cook Green Beans in Skillet
First, you want to get your skillet hot. I preheat mine on medium-high heat with a little bit of vegetable oil. Once the oil starts to smoke ever so slightly, I know it’s time to add the beans.
I like to have the beans cook in the super-hot skillet until a few get browned spots on them. Once I see that happening, I know it’s time to reduce the heat, add water, and cover the skillet with a lid to steam the beans.
After a few minutes, I take the lid off the skillet and continue cooking the beans until the water evaporates, and they’re crisp-tender.
What’s crisp-tender?
Well, it’s when the green beans have reached that happy place of still crisp but cooked and tender. In my opinion, it’s the only way to eat these beans!
Green Beans Nutrition:
Green beans don’t just taste good; they’re good for you, too! They’re a good source of minerals and vitamins your body needs, like potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and more! Plus, in 1 cup of steamed green beans, you’ll have just 32 calories!
How do you make green beans taste good?
For me, these beans shine on their own. But I have played around with a few different flavor variations. Below are some of my favorites.
Flavor additions to your Green Bean Skillet
- Pearl Onions – Before cooking the beans, sauté 1 cup of pearl onions in butter and one tablespoon of brown sugar.
- Spiced Walnuts – add some walnuts toasted with butter, cayenne pepper, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Bacon – Everything tastes better with bacon, right?! Cook up, crumble three strips of bacon, and then use the bacon drippings for cooking the green beans, YUM!
- Almandine – Mix the cooked beans with 1/3 cup of toasted sliced almonds and two teaspoons of lemon juice.
- Garlic – When you add the butter to the skillet in the recipe below, add three garlic cloves peeled and pressed through a garlic press.
- Dijon – When you add the butter to the skillet in the recipe below, add one tablespoon of Dijon mustard, too.
- Lemon Pepper – Replace the water in my recipe below with lemon juice and add one teaspoon of lemon zest and lots of freshly cracked black pepper.
Which flavor variations did I miss? Let me know in the comments below!
What to serve with Green Beans in a Pan
Green beans are a versatile side dish that pairs well with various main courses. Here are some delicious options to serve with green beans:
- Grilled Chicken
- Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Pork Loin Roast
- Baked Salmon
- Roasted Turkey
- Pasta Primavera
- Quiche
- Smoked Shrimp
- Meatloaf
- Whole Chicken
- Pork Chops
- Grilled Steak
How to store Skillet Green Beans
Leftover beans will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do note that they will lose their bright green color as they sit in the refrigerator, as well as when they are reheated.
How to reheat Pan Cooked Green Beans
To reheat pan-cooked green beans, follow these simple steps:
Stovetop Method:
- Place the pan-cooked green beans in a non-stick skillet or a sauté pan.
- Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to the pan to create steam and prevent the beans from drying out.
- Heat the pan over medium-low heat and cover it with a lid.
- Allow the green beans to reheat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating gently gently.
- Once the green beans are heated through, remove them from the heat and serve immediately.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the pan-cooked green beans to a microwave-safe dish.
- If the green beans are on the dry side, add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to the dish to create moisture.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent to allow steam to escape.
- Heat the green beans in the microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Pause and stir the beans halfway through the heating process.
- Check the green beans for doneness. If they need more time, continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until they are thoroughly reheated.
- Once reheated, carefully remove the dish from the microwave and serve immediately.
Recommended Tools for Green Beans on Stove
colander
chef’s knife
cutting board
covered skillet
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Pan Cooked Green Beans
Video
Equipment
- skillet
- chef's knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup water
- 1 Tablespoon butter cut into 2 pieces
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Rinse, drain, and pat dry the green beans. Trim the end off of each green bean.
- Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add the green beans and 1/8 teaspoon of salt and shake the green beans into an even layer. Cook the green beans, stirring occasionally, until spotty brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and add the water, cover, and cook the green beans until they are bright green but still crisp about 2-3 minutes.
- Uncover the pan, add the butter, and increase the heat to high, and continue to cook until the water evaporates and the beans are crisp-tender, about 1-2 minutes longer.
- Season the beans with salt and pepper, and then serve.
Nutrition
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These were great! I love the quick little steam instead of blanching them first. I added garlic and they were just perfect. Thanks!!
So glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Can you use frozen green beans?
Yes, you can! They just might not be as crisp.
Most delicious green beans I’ve ever eaten! I’m addicted!
I’m so glad you love them! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
All your variations are delicious! My grandchildren’s favorite addition to the beans is minced garlic and ginger. Adults like sautéed mushrooms added to the beans.
Carol, I’m so glad this recipe and the variations have come in handy! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
These would be a nice add for Thanksgiving dinner!
And they’re a quick side dish to whip up, too!
I quick fried my fresh green beans in olive oil and then sauteed diced onions with the green beans. I then added water to steam them and added 2 Tablespoons, Kerry Gold Butter and salt. After they were steemed I added a lightly sprinkled layer of garlic salt and mixed everything. They turned out to be the best green beans!
Patty, I am thrilled that you loved the recipe! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m about to start low carb again and green beans are a great veggie to incorporate! I love all the variations – definitely won’t get tired of eating them!
So glad this recipe will come in handy for you!
These green beans would be a great addition to Thanksgiving!
Yes, and easy to make, too!
This post is great. We usually eat ours in the almandine style you’ve noted, but we really should branch out to some of your other flavour combinations – we are definitely in need of a switch up.
Oh wow! Such a beautiful color to these green beans and I love all the possible flavor variations. The bacon sounds especially perfect.
Thank you!
I quick fried my fresh green beans in olive oil and then sauteed diced onions with the green beans. I then added water to steam them and added 2 Tablespoons, Kerry Gold Butter and salt. After they were steemed I added a lightly sprinkled layer of garlic salt and mixed everything. They turned out to be the best green beans!
Fresh green beans with lemon pepper is my favorite way! Thanks for a great recipe!
You’re so welcome! 🙂
I like all of the different variations, and so easy!
And I listed only 7 variations, the flavor combinations are endless!