Delicious garlicky green beans are a really simple side dish. I use frozen green beans for this recipe because the water from beans help cook the green beans and they don’t get too soggy. Adding the sautéed garlic creates a delicious taste and smells wonderful too. If you are looking for a simple side dish for dinner during the week, or for the holidays, these green beans are perfect.
How do you serve these green beans? I personally would build a bowl out of these garlicky green beans by topping off some rice with them, add some chickpeas and cut up cherry tomatoes with a splash of tamari. You can also serve them as a side dish right next to the mashed potatoes or lentil loaf.
Frozen beans make it easy to grab and go. For this dish, we are skipping the oil and doing an oil free sauté with garlic. This is a great side dish if you are looking to reduce the amount of fat in your recipes. Also you can really taste the flavor of the food when you use less oil, or no oil at all, when you are cooking.
Why use frozen green beans?
I love fresh green beans but frozen green beans can make life easier when you want to create a quick meal. Frozen green beans are great to use as a side, add to a soup or mix into a sauté with the vegetables and grains. I also use them mixed in with stewed tomatoes.
The main reason to use frozen green beans for this dish is water content. The frozen water from the green beans help cook the beans without getting too mushy versus if you where using fresh and needed more water.
Health Benefits to Eating Green Beans
Green beans are typically inexpensive and a great source for healthy carbohydrates, fiber and protein. Not only are green beans a healthy snack that’s low in calories, but they are also high in soluble fiber which can help lower cholesterol.
More Green Bean Nutritional Info from the USDA
What are the Ingredients for the Garlicky Green Beans?
- Frozen Green Beans
- Garlic
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Liquid Aminos or Tamari/Soy Sauce (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
How do you make these Delicious Garlicky Green Beans?
First, mince the garlic.
To a medium hot pan, add the garlic with 1-2 tablespoons of water and sauté about 1 minutes. It’s important to keep stirring the garlic so it won’t stick to the pan. You can also add a little more water if necessary.
Optional: you can stir in the red pepper flakes for a little extra flavor.
Next you want to add in the frozen green beans to the hot pan and stir. You can add in a 1/4 cup of water and stir.
Cover the pan and let them cook for about 4 minutes. When removing the lid, the green beans should have a light snap but softened. Continue to cook for 1 more minute.
Optional: you can add 1/2 tbsp of liquid aminos or tamari to the green beans and allow to sauté for about 1 minute to let some of the liquid cook off. Add some salt and pepper for taste. Ready to be served.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Frozen Green Beans 12-16 ounce frozen bag
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste (optional)
- 1/2 tbsp Liquid Aminos (optional) substitute tamari or soy sauce
Instructions
- To a medium hot pan add the garlic with a 1-2 tablespoons of water and sauté about 1 minute. It's important to keep stirring the garlic so it won't stick to the pan. You can also add a little more water if necessary. Optional, you can stir in the red pepper flakes for a little extra flavor.
- Next you want to add in the frozen green beans to the hot pan and stir. You can add in a 1/4 water and stir. Cover the pan and let cook for about 4 minutes and stir occasionally. Remove the lid, the green beans should have a light snap but softened. Remove the lid and allow to cook for 1 more minute.
- Optional, you can add 1/2 tbsp of liquid aminos or tamari to the green beans and allow to saute for about 1 minute to let some of the liquid cook off. Salt and pepper to taste. Ready to be served.
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