These green beans are so good they basically taste like candy! Doused with garlic, lemon zest, shallots and a decent amount of spice, you’ll get anyone to love them!

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!
And these will win over any picky vegetable eater for SURE! Not to mention, 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.
PS – are you thinking of putting this on your Thanksgiving menu? Check out the full What’s Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track!

Spicy Garlic Green Beans
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.
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Prop Styling by Stephanie Hanes // Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
[…] by Chef-In-Training 4. Spring Pea and Potato Salad, photo & recipe by A Splash of Vanilla 5. Spicy Garlic Green Beans, photo & recipe by What’s Gaby […]
[…] 6. What’s Gaby Cooking | Spicy Garlic Green Beans […]
Made these yesterday to serve as a side with Julia Child classic roast chicken. So, so good! I had some mushrooms in the frig that needed to be used so I sauteed them with the garlic and shallot in oil and spices. This is the only way I will combined green beans and mushrooms ever again. And I agree that these green beans are addictive. Thanks so much for the recipe!
[…] Crispy Baked Parmesan Green Bean Fries Spicy Garlic Green Beans BBQ Crispy Green Bean Snacks Green Bean Salad with Walnuts & […]
You had me at spicy! I just started my food blog and my goal when looking for new recipes just to cook for my family is food blogs. I will have to try your recipe and I love spicy food so I know I will love it!
lovethycook.com
[…] Green Beans – check. […]
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!! One of my favorite vegetables! This recipe is so simple and flavorful.
[…] […]
[…] Green Beans (minus the […]
[…] Put the canned green bean and cream of mushroom casserole aside, and bring it up a notch with this green bean dish. Recipe is here. […]
[…] – A quick and easy Sunday night dinner includes these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs and some spicy garlic green beans because they are my favorite and I can’t live without them. If you want to make a loaded […]
[…] Serving a big side of salmon is my favorite way to feed 6+ people! It’s a no-brainer when it comes to prep work and you can serve it up alongside a big loaded salad and a few of your favorite sides like this or this. […]
[…] because who has time to whip up some elaborate cocktail while juggling the turkey, potatoes, all the sides, stuffing and then dessert. Whew. I’m tired just thinking about […]
[…] Spicy Garlic Green Beans […]
This looks like a recipe I can get hooked on too!
So fresh and tasty! love green beans!
These are the best green beans I’ve ever had!!
[…] Wednesday – Baked Lemon Cod is on the agenda tonight with a side of Garlic Green Beans […]
[…] – Wild Mushroom Risotto with a side of Spicy Garlic Green Beans. It’s Sunday. Let’s […]
[…] Thursday – Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers (which also can double for leftovers for lunch on Friday!) and some Spicy Garlic Green Beans […]
These are really good and easy to make!!!!!
[…] Spicy Garlic Green Beans […]
Hi Gaby,
I’m thinking of adding these to my thanksgiving menu. Do you think the green beans could be blanched the night before or morning of thanksgiving to cut down on Kitchen madness immediately before the feast?
absolutely!
What a wonderfully flavorful side dish!
[…] Spicy Garlic Green Beans from What’s Gaby Cooking […]
[…] Crusted Roasted Salmon, Spicy Garlic Green Beans, and a Roasted Carrot […]
[…] Dinner: Herb and Almond Crusted Beef Tenderloin, baby red potatoes, and spicy garlic green beans […]
[…] My favorite way to cook green beans (courtesy of What’s Gaby Cooking) […]
Thanks for the idea. I had no shallots so used onions, no garlic so used a mild green chilli, no red pepper flakes so used smoked paprika. Really not the same recipe at all I suppose but bloody delicious nonetheless. Ate with a fresh tiger roll for lunch and transported to the Mediterranean. Yum!
This is a Thanksgiving staple in our house. Love the spiciness of this recipe.
[…] Green beans. Not into the green bean casserole? I would much rather have these crunchy, garlicky green beans! I make these on a regular basis, but I roast them with olive oil and lemon juice! […]
[…] green beans (recipe here) […]
[…] Spicy Garlic Green Beans from What’s Gaby Cooking […]
[…] Green beans […]
[…] Want to hear a confession? When I took my first ever job as a private chef I have absolutely ZERO idea how to make fish. I grew up not eating it, and we hadn’t get covered fish in culinary school, and the family I was cooking for were big time fish lovers. So after getting over my initial fear of cooking fish, I threw together the simplest recipe I could imagine. Lemon, butter, salt, paprika and a fish that you can’t easily mess up – Cod! The result was mind blowing and I impressed even myself! It’s been on regular rotation ever since and it’s the perfect lightened up main course that you can serve alongside some pesto broccoli, perhaps a bowl of garlic herb sweetpotato fries or even some spicy green beans […]
[…] 5. Spicy Garlic Green Beans […]
These are the BEST green beans of all time. That is no exaggeration.
Could you do these ahead(morning of, and reheat)? Or do a little before and leave at room temp? They sound delicious!
I blanch them the morning of, and then give them the quick saute right before serving!! But yes you could do the saute about an hour ahead of time no prob
Is there any way to make this ahead of time and reheat? We have to bring a vegetable to Thanksgiving, but will need to make in the morning, travel and then serve for dinner! Thanks so much!
you could blanch the green beans and shock them with cold water right after they come out. Then pack them up and take them to wherever you’re going and saute with the garlic/oil etc… that would be the best bet!
you could blanch the green beans and shock them in cold water to keep their color. Pack them up and saute with the garlic and red pepper flakes and lemon once you get to where you’re going! That would be the best bet!
[…] 7. Spicy Garlic Green Beans […]
Made these as a side for ThanksGiving, they were a huge hit! Will be making again for our Christmas dinner. Love the spices and crunch!
Delicious, I added chopped roasted red bell peppers and tossed in for a nice Christmas touch.
The only way I will make green beans now! Literally addictive!
Our garden won’t stop producing green beans – just when I thought we couldn’t possibly eat another green bean I discovered this recipe and it’s so good! So quick and easy and everyone in the familly was a fan!
Yummy! I made them extra spicy using some fresh hot chilis, and I loved the complement of the lemon zest.