Garlicky Steamed Green Beans: Easy Recipe (2024)

I just love all of the fresh vegetables we have in the summer. Yes, I said “love” and “vegetables” in the same sentence! Once you try this Easy Garlicky Steamed Green Beans recipe, you too will fall in love with vegetables -well, this one at least.

You will love this recipe for green beans because they taste great and are so easy and quick to prepare – the fast food of vegetables!

It’s the perfect side dish to serve alongside your main course and smashed potatoes.

This dish is simple to make and perfect for anyone short on time.

How to steam green beans

Fill a pot, with a tight closing lid, with an inch or so of water and bring to a rolling boil.

While waiting for the water to boil, trim the ends of the green beans and place them in a steamer basket.

Place the basket with the beans in the pot, close the lid and steam to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until the beans are tender.

How to make garlicky steamed green beans

Meanwhile, get a skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat, then add 3-4 cloves of sliced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. When you smell that distinctive garlicky smell, try not to start salivating…it’s time for action!

Get your green beans out of the steamer basket and swirl them around the olive oil infused with garlic for a few minutes.

When that’s done, give it a squirt of lemon juice over the top just before serving, and voilà…all done!

If you want, you can sprinkle a little coarse salt over the top, but with everything we’ve been reading about the ill effects of salt in our diets, I just skip the salt for this dish. The lemon juice provides enough of a nice flavor.

How to trim green beans

Trimming green beans doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Here are a few simple tips to make it easier.

First, wash the beans thoroughly. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may be clinging to them.

Next, align the tip of the stem ends of a few green beans so that they are even. With one hand, hold the green beans firmly and use the other hand to hold a knife. With a slicing motion evenly trim off the tips. Watch the video to see how easy this is.

Alternatively, you can snap off the tip ends of the beans one by one. You can do this by holding a single bean in one hand and breaking off the tip with the other.

You may choose to remove the tail end of a green bean, but it’s not necessary.

Italian green bean recipes

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Try this Italian-style stewed tomato green beans recipe for a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.

GET THE RECIPE

Looking for more?

This Italian potato salad is the perfect side for any summer BBQ. The green beans add a crunchy texture, while the potatoes provide a hearty base. The mayo-free dressing ties everything together and gives the salad a bit of zing. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time and can be served at room temperature, making it ideal for picnic or potluck gatherings. So if you’re looking for a dish that will please a crowd and leave them asking for seconds, try this one!

Recipe origins

Green beans are very easy to grow…only 60 days according to this Farmer’s Almanac. My father had a whole garden section dedicated to different varieties of green beans. And garlic is just as easy! As a result, we ate many garlicky green beans growing up Italian throughout the year since my mom would freeze the green beans.

Once again, I have my mom to thank for showing me the best way to cook green beans. The only difference between her recipe and mine is that my mom would boil her beans in water…I always use my steamer basket.

So there you have it!

Just like the other vegetable recipes for Swiss Chard, broccoli rabe, zucchini, or even root vegetables,this recipe should demonstratehow easy it isto eat healthy, especially in the summer with the abundance and varieties ofvegetables readily available.

Green beans are easily available year-round, so there is no excuse not to eat this wonderful vegetable.

Who says fast food is bad for you? Easy Garlicky Steamed Green Beans arethe ultimate fast food, for vegetables that is.

Enjoy!!!

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★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for steamed green beans, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

This post was originally published on July 19, 2015, and republished on September 9, 2022 with updated content, photos and a video. Thanks for sharing!