I just love all of the fresh vegetables we have in the summer. Yes, I said “love” and “vegetables” in the same sentence! Once you try this Easy Garlicky Steamed Green Beans recipe, you too will fall in love with vegetables -well, this one at least.
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You will love this recipe for green beans because they taste great and are so easy and quick to prepare – the fast food of vegetables!
It’s the perfect side dish to serve alongside your main course and smashed potatoes.
This dish is simple to make and perfect for anyone short on time.
How to steam green beans
Fill a pot, with a tight closing lid, with an inch or so of water and bring to a rolling boil.
While waiting for the water to boil, trim the ends of the green beans and place them in a steamer basket.
Place the basket with the beans in the pot, close the lid and steam to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until the beans are tender.
How to make garlicky steamed green beans
Meanwhile, get a skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat, then add 3-4 cloves of sliced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. When you smell that distinctive garlicky smell, try not to start salivating…it’s time for action!
Get your green beans out of the steamer basket and swirl them around the olive oil infused with garlic for a few minutes.
When that’s done, give it a squirt of lemon juice over the top just before serving, and voilà…all done!
If you want, you can sprinkle a little coarse salt over the top, but with everything we’ve been reading about the ill effects of salt in our diets, I just skip the salt for this dish. The lemon juice provides enough of a nice flavor.
How to trim green beans
Trimming green beans doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Here are a few simple tips to make it easier.
First, wash the beans thoroughly. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may be clinging to them.
Next, align the tip of the stem ends of a few green beans so that they are even. With one hand, hold the green beans firmly and use the other hand to hold a knife. With a slicing motion evenly trim off the tips. Watch the video to see how easy this is.
Alternatively, you can snap off the tip ends of the beans one by one. You can do this by holding a single bean in one hand and breaking off the tip with the other.
You may choose to remove the tail end of a green bean, but it’s not necessary.
Italian green bean recipes
Green Beans and Tomatoes
Try this Italian-style stewed tomato green beans recipe for a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.
Looking for more?
This Italian potato salad is the perfect side for any summer BBQ. The green beans add a crunchy texture, while the potatoes provide a hearty base. The mayo-free dressing ties everything together and gives the salad a bit of zing. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time and can be served at room temperature, making it ideal for picnic or potluck gatherings. So if you’re looking for a dish that will please a crowd and leave them asking for seconds, try this one!
Recipe origins
Green beans are very easy to grow…only 60 days according to this Farmer’s Almanac. My father had a whole garden section dedicated to different varieties of green beans. And garlic is just as easy! As a result, we ate many garlicky green beans growing up Italian throughout the year since my mom would freeze the green beans.
Once again, I have my mom to thank for showing me the best way to cook green beans. The only difference between her recipe and mine is that my mom would boil her beans in water…I always use my steamer basket.
So there you have it!
Just like the other vegetable recipes for Swiss Chard, broccoli rabe, zucchini, or even root vegetables, this recipe should demonstrate how easy it is to eat healthy, especially in the summer with the abundance and varieties of vegetables readily available.
Green beans are easily available year-round, so there is no excuse not to eat this wonderful vegetable.
Who says fast food is bad for you? Easy Garlicky Steamed Green Beans are the ultimate fast food, for vegetables that is.
Enjoy!!!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community, where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
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★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for steamed green beans, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Garlicky Steamed Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 ounces) green beans washed and trimmed
- 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves sliced
- a few squirts of lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, add about one inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil.
- Set steamer basket with prepared green beans in boiling water.
- Cover and steam until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
- While the beans are steaming, heat extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced garlic and cook for about 1 minute. When you begin to smell the garlic, it’s done (Be careful not to burn the garlic).
- At this point, the beans should be cooked…just add them to your skillet and swirl them around in the oil and garlic.
- Add a few squirts of lemon juice and that’s it.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on July 19, 2015, and republished on September 9, 2022 with updated content, photos and a video. Thanks for sharing!
Elaine
The recipe is so flavourful; the lemon makes the beans refreshing and tastes like “More Please”..: In fact, Maria, this recipe is wonderful on absolutely any and all green vegetables. I have applied these flavours on beans, peas, varieties of lettuce, brocc’s, asparagus, fiddleheads, etc. Such a simple way to enhance
the flavour of seasonal greens, especially fiddleheads which is such a short season. I love it, and I thank you…
/e
Maria
Thank you kindly Elaine. You are right! Lemon juice just brightens so many wonderful greens! Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
Kristine S
This is delicious! I’m using new cookware and I have a large steaming pot. The green beans came out perfectly with a nice bit of crunch. I will use more garlic next time. The lemon juice is a wonderful addition!
Maria
Thanks Kristine!
Linda
Made them for my 14 year old who does not like green beans. He loved them. I cooked them 8 minutes and used butter instead of olive oil and after I tossed them in the pan I added toasted sliced almonds and tossed a bit more. Sooo Good. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Maria
How wonderful Linda! My pleasure. Thanks so much for sharing!
Shirley DiMartino
We do the green beans this way with the cooked garlic, but my mother in law also cooked some potatoes in chunks till just fork tender and sprinkled with eevo and raw chopped garlic and mixed the two together then added wine vinegar over all. It really soaks into the potatoes and with a nice crusty loaf of bread to soak up all the garlic, oil and vinegar it is to die for. Just a variation that I thought I would share with you. Also fresh ground pepper and salt improves it if you can tolerate the salt.
Maria
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing Shirley!
Carol
I am getting ready to make a “Green Bean Casserole” using your recipe — I think they will be wonderful!!
Maria
That sounds absolutely delicious Carol! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Bernice Hill
mmmm. I’m a sucker for green beans but I rarely do anything other than steam them! I will definitely have to try out your recipe and up my veggie game.
Maria
Me too! Very simple but extremely flavorful. Thanks for dropping by Bernice 🙂
Laura
I love green beans too! We grow lots in our garden and miss them so much in the winter. Although they are available year round the taste is just not the same.
I love quick and easy recipes like this and I imagine this simple recipe would work for many different vegetables. Beautiful pictures too.
Maria
Thanks so much Laura! I agree, nothing compares to fresh garden beans. I still have a few frozen bags that I am using to make vegetable soups with. Thanks so much for dropping by 🙂
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
Another great recipe! Easy to make, fast and so delicious! I guess I am old school like your mom and my parents, I boil my vegetables, but I’m thinking of investing in a steamer basket like the one you have ;-). We still have green beans in the freezer from my in-laws’ harvest (which was plentiful this year) and this is a go-to!
Maria
Sometimes, it is only a question of habit, especially in the kitchen. I think if you were to get the steamer basket, it will trigger a change. Great comment! Thanks for stopping by Nicoletta ♥♥♥
Charlotte Oates
This sounds delicious, I love simple side dishes like this and the garlic and lemon sounds perfect with the beans. I agree with you that steaming is better than boiling – I find the beans have lots more flavour that way.
Maria
Appreciate your comment Charlotte. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂