Fresh, garlicky, and full of flavor, this Garlic Green Beans recipe is the easy side dish you'll want to make again and again. Crisp-tender green beans are sautéed in garlicky olive oil and finished with a splash of white wine vinegar for a tangy kick. It's quick, healthy, and pairs with just about any main dish.
Updated September 2025 with new photos, step-by-step tips, FAQs, and improved formatting. The recipe was originally posted on January 8, 2020.
Here's what readers have to say about this recipe:
Reader Natalie, commented: "Such a simple yet so healthy and delicious veggie side. I love green beans. This recipe is a keeper! ★★★★★"
Another reader Debbie, commented: "These garlic green beans blew me away. I needed an easy side to go with roasted chicken and these were perfect. Simple ingredients brought to life...Thanks! ★★★★★"
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple but flavorful - a handful of pantry staples turn into a restaurant-style side.
- Versatile - perfect for weeknights but elegant enough for holidays.
- Better than boring beans - garlic and vinegar adds bold flavor without heavy sauces.
- Quick cooking - ready in 20 minutes or less.
Before You Cook, Read This
- Choose fresh beans - look for bright green, firm beans without blemishes. Haricots verts (thin French green beans) also work beautifully.
- Prep matters - trim both ends and wash well. You can soak them in an ice bath until ready to cook to keep them crisp.
- Garlic choices - fresh sliced or minced cloves give the best flavor, but jarred minced garlic works in a pinch.
- Vinegar finish - white wine vinegar brightens the dish, but rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar can be swapped in.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Fresh green beans - trimmed
- Garlic - sliced or minced
- Olive oil - or avocado/vegetable oil
- Pinch of sugar - helps garlic soften without burning
- White wine vinegar - adds acidity and balance
- Salt & black pepper
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Garlic Green Beans
Infuse the garlic oil - Stir garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of sugar in a small bowl. Microwave briefly until the garlic softens.
Cook the beans - Heat half the garlic oil in a skillet. Add trimmed green beans and water, cover, and cook until bright green.
Finish with flavor - Add remaining garlic oil and sauté until beans are tender-crisp and garlic turns golden.
Season and serve - Stir in vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Serve hot.
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LaKita's Expert Tips & Variations
- Add red pepper flakes for heat.
- Swap in sesame oil and rice vinegar for an Asian-inspired twist.
- Cook longer if you prefer more blistered, charred beans.
- Double the garlic if you love bold flavor.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Reheat - Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until hot.
- Freeze - Store in a freezer bag for up to 1 month (note: beans will be softer after freezing).
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This recipe skips blanching while keeping the beans crisp-tender.
This recipe works best with fresh green beans only.
Either works. Sliced garlic gives a mellow flavor, minced is stronger.
What to Serve with Garlic Green Beans
These beans go with almost anything! Try them alongside:
- Ribeye Steak
- Southern Cornbread
- Cast Iron Chicken Breast
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Southern Mustard Greens
Did you try these Garlic Green Beans? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear how you and your family enjoy them!
💌 From my kitchen to yours, happy cooking!
📖 Recipe
Garlic Green Beans Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
Ingredients
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- pinch of sugar
- 8 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ½ teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the garlic slices, 1 tablespoon olive oil, a pinch of sugar, and microwave for 45 seconds until the garlic has softened.
- In a medium skillet, heat half of the garlic oil over medium heat until thoroughly heated.
- Add the 8 ounces green beans, 2 tablespoons water, cover, and cook the green beans about 3 minutes or until they are bright green.
- Add in the other half of the garlic oil, cover, and cook for another 3 minutes. Uncover the green beans and stir occasionally cooking the beans for another 3 minutes, until the garlic becomes golden.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the 1 ½ teaspoon white wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Serve immediately and enjoy. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Notes
- Feel free to add more seasonings for additional flavor. Crushed red pepper, onion powder, and ranch seasoning are great options.
- If you prefer to keep this dish simple, skip the microwave and add the oil and garlic directly to the hot pan.
- Cook your green beans longer if you prefer them more blistered.
- For intense garlic flavor, feel free to add more garlic than suggested.
Jazz says
I haven't tried white wine vinegar before but am looking forward to your version!
LaKita says
Thank you! If you don't want to buy a whole bottle you can omit it in this recipe.
Kaluhi says
I can literally taste all the flavors 😍😍😍
LaKita says
Thank you Kaluhi!
Tamara J says
This is so simple, yet packed with AMAZING flavor! I love that the green beans come out tender-crisp, so they still have a little bite. They made the perfect side dish!
LaKita says
Thank you! That is my favorite thing about this recipe as well!
Cathleen says
One of my favourite side dishes to make is green beans, but you took them to the next level!! Bookmarked for later
LaKita says
Thank you Cathleen, hope you enjoy!
Sophie says
I have everything to make this dish. Looks so green and flavorful. Thank you.
LaKita says
Yay! I love it when that happens. Enjoy!
Natalie says
Such a simple yet so healthy and delicious veggie side. I love green beans. This recipe is a keeper!
LaKita says
Thank you Natalie!!
Jayne Rain says
This looks very simple but the flavor is so amazing. I loved it.
LaKita says
Thank you! I love a simple dish!
Debbie says
These garlic green beans blew me away. I needed an easy side to go with roasted chicken and these were perfect. Simple ingredients brought to life.. Thanks !
LaKita says
Thank you so much Debbie!
Rebecca Blackwell says
Yum, yum, yum! I made these this weekend for my family, serving them alongside Chicken Piccata and they were perfect. Bright and flavorful! Everyone loved them!
LaKita says
So glad you and your family enjoyed them and I bet the chicken piccata was amazing!
Paige says
Boy, I'm going to try this with the splash of vinegar you have at the end..I've used other thinks like citrus, but I bet it sends these beans over the top!
LaKita says
Thank you! The splash of vinegar definitely takes them over the top!
Jacqui DeBono says
I love growing green beans, and eating green beans! They are my go to vegetable, and I especially love them with garlic!
LaKita says
Thank you! Fresh green beans are my go to as well. They're so good!!
Uma Srinivas says
such a simple and easy recipe. I love sauteed garlic in cooked beans. This will be the best side dish and a good pair of steamed brown rice.
LaKita says
Thank you! It will work really well with steamed brown rice!
Katrina Adams says
Green beans are one of my favorite green vegetables and I haven’t tried fresh yet so this recipe is perfect for me!
LaKita says
The fresh green beans with garlic is so good!
Veena Azmanov says
I love the flavor of Garlic and these beans tossed in their flavor is an awesome and interesting way to enjoy healthy options.
LaKita says
Thank you Veena!
Anna says
Yum! Another fan of garlic and green beans over here! Love this combination, it's utterly delicious and perfect to serve with almost any main course!
LaKita says
Yes I agree! Best combination ever!!
Desirée says
Needed this! I needed a nice simple green bean recipe and this is it!
LaKita says
Thank you! Enjoy!
Marta says
I LOVE garlic and green beans, so I know this is going to be my new go-to side dish for dinner.
LaKita says
You will love it!!