Italian Green Beans are sautéed in a hot pan with aromatics and Italian seasonings, then steamed in a bold, savory broth. Easy to make in one pan, this is a fuss-free, must-try side dish to pair with all your favorite main courses!
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As a green bean fiend, I can’t resist putting new flavor twists on this crunchy and sweet summer vegetable! Whether it’s these Din Tai Fung Green Beans, these crispy Green Bean Fries, or these Italian Green Beans, I can never have too many easy green bean recipes in my repertoire.
If you feel the same, then you have to try these Italian-inspired sautéed garlicky green beans. The recipe is quick and easy enough for weeknights yet elegant enough for your next dinner party.
Fresh green beans are sautéed with simple herbs and seasonings before being steamed with a splash of broth. The result? Vibrant, tender-crisp green beans coated in a glossy, garlicky glaze with just a hint of heat!
Ingredient notes
- Green beans – Fresh, trimmed green beans are best because they keep their vibrant color and tender-crisp texture even after being pan-seared and steamed. Frozen green beans will work as a substitute in a pinch, but canned green beans aren’t ideal. They’re too soft and do not hold their shape as well.
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Dried oregano – Italian seasoning also works well here.
- Red pepper flakes
- Chicken broth concentrate – Like Better Than Bouillon or a bit of bouillon powder. It dissolves into the steaming water to infuse the green beans with savory depth.
- Water
- Salt
How to make it
Step 1
Saute
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is shimmering, add the green beans, and cook, tossing frequently, until the beans start to soften and develop a few browned spots.
Step 2
Add Aromatics
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook, stirring often, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step 3
Steam + Season
- Add 1/3 cup of water and the chicken broth concentrate.
- Immediately cover the skillet with a lid, and cook until the beans are bright green, crisp-tender, and the liquid has nearly evaporated.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot.
Tip for Frozen Green Beans
Using frozen green beans? Here’s how to do it right:
- Steam the frozen beans in the water and broth concentrate until they’re just thawed.
- Sauté the beans and add the seasonings and aromatics as normal.
- Since they’ve already been steamed, you can skip the final steaming step.
- Season to taste once the beans are nicely browned in spots and heated through.
Variations
These simple Italian-style green beans are easy to adapt to your taste buds and dietary preferences. Here are some delicious ways to switch things up:
- Vegetarian substitutions – Swap the chicken broth concentrate for a vegetable broth concentrate or paste. Just be sure to taste and adjust the salt at the end.
- Add bacon – Sauté a few slices of chopped bacon, pancetta, or prosciutto until crispy. Set them aside, then sauté the green beans in the same skillet with the flavorful leftover bacon fat. Garnish the beans with the cooked bacon at the end.
- More flavorful extras – Finish the beans with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, a squeeze of lemon juice, or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Serving suggestions
I love serving these garlicky sautéed green beans just as they are or dressed up with one of these 10+ Sauces for Green Beans. Either way, they make a fantastic side dish for almost any main course. Try serving them with:
Storing
Wait for the leftover Italian green beans to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat, warm the beans in a skillet over medium heat, adding a small splash of water or broth for moisture. You can also microwave them, covered, until heated through.
Erin’s wine pairings
- A crisp Pinot Gris is especially perfect if serving the beans with an alfresco dinner.
- A citrusy Sauvignon Blanc with grassy undertones is an excellent option if you’re serving the green beans with fish or chicken.
- If you’re serving this dish with heartier mains like lasagna or steak, Chianti or Syrah is a classic choice.
Did you make this Italian green beans recipe?
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Full Recipe
Italian Green Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds green beans (ends trimmed (about 4 cups))
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic (minced (about 2 Tablespoons))
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 Tablespoon chicken broth concentrate (like better than bouillon, or chicken bouillon powder)
- ⅓ cup water
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the green beans and cook, tossing with tongs frequently, until the beans begin to soften and brown in spots, 5-7 minutes.
- Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Carefully add 1/3 cup water and the chicken broth concentrate into the pan and immediately cover. Cook, until the beans are bright green and crisp-tender and water has almost completely evaporated, 4-6 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
Notes
- Wait for the leftover Italian green beans to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- To reheat, warm the beans in a skillet over medium heat, adding a small splash of water or broth for moisture. You can also microwave them, covered, until heated through.
- Steam the frozen beans in the water and broth concentrate until they’re just thawed.
- Sauté the beans and add the seasonings and aromatics as normal.
- Since they’ve already been steamed, you can skip the final steaming step.
- Season to taste once the beans are nicely browned in spots and heated through.
- Vegetarian substitutions – Swap the chicken broth concentrate for a vegetable broth concentrate or paste. Just be sure to taste and adjust the salt at the end.
- Add bacon – Sauté a few slices of chopped bacon, pancetta, or prosciutto until crispy. Set them aside, then sauté the green beans in the same skillet with the flavorful leftover bacon fat. Garnish the beans with the cooked bacon at the end.
- More flavorful extras – Finish the beans with a sprinkle of Parmesan ch
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