Green beans are a popular veggie that can be served with a wide range of dishes, from a Sunday roast and bangers and mash to a bean salad and a casserole. However, green beans can lack flavour, and when boiled, they can end up mushy and lose their crunch.
But these stringy beans can be transformed into something irresistibly tasty in just 15 minutes. Chefs at Inspired Taste revealed that by adding just two simple ingredients, you can elevate fresh green beans to a whole new level of deliciousness quickly and effortlessly. This easy trick introduces rich, vibrant flavours to the vegetables that will make them the star of any meal.
Speaking on their star dish, the food expert shared: “I love cooking fresh green beans in a skillet on the stovetop. It makes them so quick and easy.
“They’re seriously delicious, especially when you add my garlic butter to the skillet. These sautéed green beans will be perfectly tender in about 15 minutes.”
Ingredients
- 450g of fresh green beans
- One teaspoon of olive oil
- One tablespoon of butter (Plant-based butter can be used for a vegan recipe)
- Three cloves of garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest (lemon wedges to serve)
- 60ml of water or stock
Method
A simple and flavorful way to cook fresh green beans is to sauté them in a wide skillet with a bit of oil and salt, allowing them to develop some light blistering as they cook.
Start by heating a bit of oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Then add the green beans and a pinch of salt. As they cook, the beans will begin to develop a bit of char.
A small amount of water or stock should then be added to the pan to help them cook through without losing their crunchy bite. Covering the skillet traps the steam, and the beans will gently soften in just a couple of minutes.
Once tender, remove the lid and allow any remaining liquid to cook off. To finish, stir in butter, garlic, and lemon zest for brightness and richness.
At this stage, you can add a pinch of pepper or any other spices you enjoy, such as chilli flakes. This method is simple, efficient, and doesn’t require blanching.
The steam created in the skillet achieves the same tender results with less fuss. The chef concluded: “This green beans recipe is fast. It’s one of the best ways to cook fresh green beans, so we make it often!”
They also recommend serving as a side dish for turkey meatloaf, skillet chicken breasts, pork chops, and baked salmon.
