Do you love green beans? If so, you're going to love this garlic green beans recipe. These Spicy Garlic Green Beans are fresh, healthy, and delicious. They're perfect for a quick snack, light meal, or a Thanksgiving Dinner side. Best of all, they're easy to make. So grab your skillet and let's get cooking!
This green beans recipe is so good they basically taste like candy! Doused with garlic, lemon zest, shallots and a decent amount of spice (optional if you don't like spice), you'll get anyone to love them!
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Why I Love This Recipe
There's no denying it - I'm hooked. I know I say I'm obsessed with just about everything I make (I mean can you blame me?) but these green beans really stand out. They are doused with garlic, lemon zest, shallots and a decent amount of spice. And they are so good it's basically like eating candy. Or french fries. That's basically how I eat them. One by one, until all of a sudden the entire plate of Spicy Garlic Green Beans disappears.
Just as good as the decadent stuff, but not nearly as bad for you!
I am a believer that even my brussels sprouts will win over any picky vegetable eater for SURE! But if you have doubts, these should definitely be a welcome addition for everyone on the table!! The little extra spicy garlic infused olive oil makes for an excellent bread dip. Throw them on your ever growing Thanksgiving menu and you can thank me later.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Haricot verts or green beans
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves
- Shallot
- Red pepper flakes
- Flaky salt and lemon zest to garnish
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below
How to Make Spicy Garlic Green Beans
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the green beans and set aside.
Step 2: In a large heavy bottom skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, garlic, and red pepper flakes and sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step 3: Add the green beans and mix everything together, making sure the garlic and shallots are evenly distributed amongst the green beans.
Step 4: Season with salt and lemon zest and serve immediately.
How to Store Spicy Garlic Green Beans
Lucky you! You have more of these delish veggies for another day. To store this recipe, transfer the remaining green beans to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
Tips & Tricks
- Whatever you fancy. I personally like Haricot Verts which are thinner, longer, and have a better taste in my opinion. If you opt to go with a green bean make sure to trim the ends off.
- Mild or Super Spicy. What I love about this recipe is that you get to control the spice level! If you prefer a milder heat, opt for a lighter hand when adding in the red pepper flakes. If you're all about the heat, shake in as much red pep. as you please!
FAQs
Can Green Beans Be Eaten Raw?
100% green beans can be eaten raw however I would not recommend it. Maybe with a dip, but I would stick to boiling or steaming them and then seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Can this Green Beans Recipe be Frozen?
I would not freeze this dish after I made it. With this recipe, its easy enough to whip up a batch in under 10 min so I would suggest going the freshly made route.
Related Recipes
So there you have it, our secret tips for making my perfect spicy garlic green beans recipe. We hope you’ll give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out. And if you’re looking for more Thanksgiving recipes that will blow everyone away, be sure to check out my full What’s Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track!
And if you need more Thanksgiving Ideas to go with this green beans recipe check out this roundup of 80+ Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Garlic Green Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound haricot verts or green beans ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 shallot thinly sliced
- 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you like them
- flaky salt and lemon zest to garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the green beans and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the green beans and set aside.
- In a large heavy bottom skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant. Add the green beans and mix everything together, making sure the garlic and shallots are evenly distributed amongst the green beans.
- Season with salt and the lemon zest and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
How could one add bacon to these? Like how much and at what step?
I would cook the bacon (or pancetta) separately and then crumble and add at the end.
Made these for thanksgiving! So delicious and easy!
Just made these tonight as a "test run" for Thanksgiving only modification made was that I added a teaspoon of Dalkin & Co lemon pepper seasoning. They were so good! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
These side dish is now on rotation in our house. So quick, easy, and delicious!
I realize fresh is best always, but do you think you could use frozen green beans in a pinch?
Haven't tried but yes I think so - just thaw them and then saute!
If I make these ahead of time to bring to a friend’s house for dinner would they reheat in the microwave without becoming soggy?
I'd saute in a skillet to re-crisp a bit rather than the microwave