Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans Saute

This Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans recipe is made with green beans from a can, frozen or fresh and then steamed or boiled and sauteed.

Green Bean Saute

Green beans have been around for thousands of years and are grown just about everywhere in the world.  Who would have guessed they’re actually a fruit and not a vegetable! 

I don’t care what they call them.What really matters is how they’re cooked and this beautiful green bean saute adorns my table regularly and on special occasions.

My grandfather grew a lot of them during the war and given certain food shortages, he would swap them with his neighbors for other things like eggs and sugar. The war stories he told were endlessly fascinating and we would listen for hours.

Green beans became a valuable commodity for my grandparents back then and green bean saute was a typical part of their table scenery. Growing up, we ate them all the time and still do to this day.

I consider myself lucky that I can plant fresh green beans in the spring. After a couple of months, they’re ready for picking and I begin making my own fast and fabulous green bean saute.

If growing your own isn’t possible, they’re readily available in stores no matter what the season.  

Loaded with fiber, green beans are super healthy as they contain iron, vitamins and minerals. And sauteing them brings out the flavor like no other.

They take only minutes to cook and complements almost any main course. What more could you want?

Crunchy, green bean saute is so easy to prepare. Just wash, snip off the ends and these fresh green beans are begging to be cooked.

Green bean saute doesn’t have to be made with fresh green beans. They can easily be swapped for steamed, frozen or canned. As long as they’re cooked, sauteeing is the name of the game.

Garlic Green Beans

Garlic green beans taste absolutely wonderful by simply adding a few flavorful ingredients like balsamic vinegar, honey and garlic (with a little seasoning, of course).

These delightful companions play so well together, there’s no room for boring!

Honey’s sweet unique flavor, blends with the tart, sweet balsamic vinegar and with the fragrance of the garlic, makes these garlic green beans to die for.

Serve garlic green beans with chicken, ham, pork chops or just about anything your heart desires! They are a must try.  

So, what are you waiting for?

Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic

Sautéed green beans with garlic are a vegetarian’s dream and goes well in salads, stir fries or all by themselves.

Green beans with garlic is the perfect protein playmate and will round out any meat lover’s plate also.   

How to Cook Green Beans

How to cook green beans beans isn’t complicated and listed below are terrific methods of doing it. To make a simple and tasty green bean dish, all it takes is a little salt, pepper and butter.

If you want to add character to this recipe, I’ve got a list of different seasonings you’re going to love!

Before adding the “good stuff” (as my grandmother used to say), the green beans need to be partially cooked first.

Steaming or boiling will work best for this green bean saute dish and out of sheer deliciousness, I’ve included two additional options.

Steaming

The easiest and fastest way to cook green beans is steamed, in a skillet with a lid on your stove top. No need for a fancy steamer or double boiler here.

Clean and trim ends of the green beans with either a sharp knife or scissors.

Add 2/3 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to your skillet.

Bring water to a boil and add a pound of prepared beans.

Notice the beans are not completely submerged in water. Steam with the lid for at least 4 minutes.

Around the 5 minute mark, the beans will be bright green and tender.

Give them another minute if beans are just starting to become tender. If still firm, another 2 minutes will do the trick.

At the 6 minute mark, the green beans are cooked for sure. Drain in a colander in the sink to remove excess moisture.

Serve plain or with a little salt, pepper topped with melted butter.

Boiling

In a medium sized pot bring 4 cups of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon of salt.

Carefully add green beans and cook until beans are bright green and fork tender; between 4 to 6 minutes.

Drain and sprinkle with some salt and pepper with or without butter.

Oven Roast

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large resealable bag, add a few tablespoons of olive oil (or vegetable based oil) and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Add a pound of prepared green beans to the bag and adjust until beans are well coated.

Cover a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil (for easy clean up). 

Grabbing a handfuls of beans (or use tongs), allow excess oil to drip inside the bag before spreading them on baking sheet.

Excess oil on the baking sheet can smoke if you’re not careful and this method minimizes this.

For even roasting, space the beans out so they’re not touching as best you can. Although they will roll around, do your best.

Bake between 18 and 23 minutes. 

Adjust the beans a few times during the baking process or you’ll end up with a dark line on one side where the bean was touching the baking sheet.

When done, the green beans will be brown in spots and look a little wrinkly and that’s what you want.

Remove from oven and serve.

Instant Pot

Pour 1 cup of water inside the instant pot and place a rack on top of it. Add a pound of prepared green beans and lock the lid.

Ensure the vent is closed.

Set the pressure to high and time for 1 minute.

Let the pressure release slowly for 7 or 8 minutes. Then quick release the remaining pressure before opening the instant pot.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper and melted butter, if desired.

Seasonings

Add a 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the following.

• seasoned salt instead of regular salt
• paprika
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• thyme
• parsley
• rosemary
• sage
• dill
• crushed red pepper flakes
• lemon juice squeezed
• pine nuts, almonds, walnuts
• fresh grated Parmesan cheese (sprinkle when cooked)
• crumbled bacon

Steamed Green Bean Recipe

Steaming green beans in a skillet is the most practical way to cook them just before sauteing. 

All that’s required is a skillet and a colander. Drain and return  green beans to the same skillet once the oil or oil and butter is hot.

As you’re finishing, add desired ingredients to jazz them up! 

Draining steamed green beans at the 3 or 4 minute mark is key as they will be bright green and starting to become tender.

Heat up oil (and butter if desired) to your skillet while green beans are draining in your sink.

Give the colander a final shake to remove last remaining drops of water. Then return green beans to skillet. 

Toss with a wooden spoon or utensil that will constantly move the green beans around for 1 to 2 minutes; sprinkle with salt (I don’t always add pepper) and serve.

Be careful if using butter by itself as it can easily burn when sauteing at a higher temperature. By adding oil to the pan along with a little butter will add flavor to this steamed green bean recipe.

All it takes to make this AMAZING Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans Saute is the oil and all of the ingredients I have listed in the recipe card.

Easy peasy!

Frozen Green Bean Recipe

Making the best sweet garlic balsamic green beans doesn’t have to be complicated and this frozen green bean recipe is a perfect example of that!

Bring a large pot of water to a boil water and add beans.

Boil until beans are defrosted; just a few minutes. Place colander in sink and drain beans.

In the meantime, in a large saucepan, heat oil and butter over medium heat until it shimmers or flick a drop of water in it until it dances.  

Add green beans, cover, and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. 

Remove cover, add garlic and stir for 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant.

Gradually add vinegar, honey, onion powder, salt and pepper. 

Reduce heat to medium low and stir regularly for a couple more minutes.

Serve and savor every bite!

Green Bean Recipe from Can

Making green bean recipe from a can takes very little time as the beans are already soft.

Place colander in the sink and drain the green beans.

Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances, add beans and stir for a minute.  

Stir in garlic for 30 seconds to a minute until you smell the aroma.

Reduce heat to medium low and stir in vinegar, honey, onion powder, salt and pepper. 

Stir regularly for a couple more minutes.

Each bite will give you pleasure.

Ingredients in Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans

• green beans
• balsamic vinegar
• honey
• onion powder
• garlic
• olive oil
• butter (optional)
• salt
• pepper

How to make Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans

How to make sweet garlic balsamic green beans is so easy, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make them sooner.

In a large pot boil water and cook beans until bright green and crisp tender; about 4 minutes. OR

Add 2/3 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to your skillet over medium high heat until boiling. Add beans and cover for 4 minutes.

Place colander in sink and drain. 

Over medium heat, put oil and butter in your skillet and wait until it shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances.  

Add green beans, cover and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Remove cover, add garlic and stir for 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant.

Stir in vinegar, honey, onion powder, salt and pepper. 

Reduce heat to medium low and stir regularly for a couple more minutes.

Serve immediately and enjoy this sweet and savory dish that is truly a party on your tongue!

Unique Green Bean Recipes

My food critic and taste tester queen, Renate hated green beans. She grew up during the war and was forced to eat them plain and boiled. When I explained there are many different ways of making green beans come to life, including this sweet garlic balsamic dish, she was up for a taste challenge. Over night, she became a green bean convert and was excited to try these unique green bean recipes. 

If green beans are not your favorite vegetable, these dishes may just change your mind. Here are some of my favorites. 

 Easy Sweet Green Beans

Quick Sweet and Sour Green Beans

Glazed Green Beans and Carrots

Classic Green Bean Casserole

Fabulous Green Bean Stir-Fry

Potato, Onion, Carrot and Green Bean Casserole

Brown Sugar Bacon Green Bean Bundles 

Mashed Potato and Green Bean Casserole

Of course we have included a video for you to check out below!  I hope you enjoy these beans as much as we do!

Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans Video

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