This Skillet Green Beans recipe takes green beans to the next level with the savory flavor of anchovies and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. The garlic and breadcrumbs make it taste even better!
Skillet green beans are the perfect side dish that goes with just about any main dish. The crunch from the perfectly cooked green beans and the savory and slightly spicy flavors from garlic, anchovies, and red pepper flakes is absolutely delicious. The best part is that it’s easy enough for a busy weeknight yet fancy enough for the holidays!
Speaking of holidays, if you’re looking for other classic side dishes, you need to try my mashed potatoes with creme fraiche and balsamic roasted green beans and tomatoes. Trust me, you’re going to fall in love with the flavors!
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious skillet green beans recipe today!
Jump to:
- What are Skillet Green Beans?
- Why This Is The Best Skillet Green Beans Recipe
- What You Need to Make Skillet Green Beans At Home
- How to Make Skillet Green Beans Step by Step
- Tips For Making the Best Skillet Green Beans Every Single Time
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Skillet Green Beans
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Skillet Green Beans
- You'll Also Enjoy These Side Dishes
- Recipe
What are Skillet Green Beans?
Skillet green beans are a delicious side dish that uses fresh green beans as the main ingredient.
This recipe involves sautéing the green beans in a large skillet, along with other flavorful ingredients such as garlic cloves and red pepper flakes. The result is a crisp-tender vegetable dish that is both savory and spicy, with a texture that is far from the mushy green beans you might be used to.
Making skillet green beans at home is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your meals without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. The combination of fresh green beans, spicy red pepper flakes, and savory anchovy breadcrumbs makes a dish that is both comforting and exciting.
Plus, this dish is versatile enough to pair with a variety of main courses, from chicken to pork chops. So why not give this skillet green beans recipe a try? You won’t be disappointed!
Why This Is The Best Skillet Green Beans Recipe
- Delicious: This recipe takes green beans to a whole new level. The anchovies and garlic infuse the beans with a savory flavor, while the red pepper flakes add a hint of spice. The result is a side dish that's absolutely delicious!
- Easy to make: This skillet green beans recipe is as simple as it gets. You need just a few ingredients and a pan, and 35 minutes, your delicious side dish is ready. The instructions are straightforward, so even beginners can make it.
- Family-Favorite: This isn't your regular, mushy green beans recipe. The beans are sauteed to a crisp-tender texture that both kids and adults will love. The addition of breadcrumbs gives a pleasant crunch that's guaranteed to make this a family favorite.
- Versatile: The best part is that you can easily switch up the ingredients based on what you have on hand. Don't have anchovies? Use bacon grease for a smoky flavor. Want to add more vegetables? Toss in some bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether you're hosting a dinner party or a casual family gathering, this green beans recipe is guaranteed to be a success. It’s not only tasty but also looks great with its vibrant green color and golden breadcrumbs. Plus, it is a great way to sneak in some vegetables for those picky eaters.
What You Need to Make Skillet Green Beans At Home
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious skillet green beans recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Anchovy Fillets in Oil and Anchovy Oil: Anchovies bring a deep, umami flavor to the dish. The oil they're packed in is equally flavorful and will be used to sauté the green beans.
- Garlic: Garlic cloves add a savory, aromatic note to the dish. It is finely minced to distribute flavor evenly throughout the dish.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These Japanese breadcrumbs will add a crispy, crunchy texture to the green beans. They also absorb some of the oil and flavors in the pan, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
- Avocado Oil: This oil has a high smoke point, perfect for sauteing. It is also mild in flavor so that it won't overpower the taste of the other ingredients. If you don't have avocado oil, olive oil is fine, too.
- Green Beans: The star of this dish, fresh green beans, will be cooked until they're crisp-tender—not too soft or mushy, but just right. They add a vibrant color and a fresh, slightly sweet flavor. In this recipe, I used Haricot Verts.,
- Red Pepper Flakes: These add a hint of heat to the dish. You can adjust the amount to your taste.
- Salt: A fundamental ingredient in almost all recipes, salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and makes the green beans taste more 'green'.
- Water: A little bit of water helps steam the green beans to the perfect crisp-tender texture.
How to Make Skillet Green Beans Step by Step
Making this incredible skillet green beans recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
Preparing the Anchovy-Garlic Mixture
- Heat anchovy oil: Start by heating anchovy oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in anchovies and garlic: Add anchovies and garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring for 1-2 minutes. Make sure the garlic is fragrant and the anchovies start to disintegrate, but be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add breadcrumbs: Next, add breadcrumbs and stir until lightly toasted, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture: Once the breadcrumbs are toasted, transfer the mixture to a plate and set aside.
Cooking the Green Beans
- Add avocado oil and green beans: In the same pan, add avocado oil and green beans. Sauté for 3-5 minutes. The greens will turn bright beans and then start to brown slightly.
- Stir in water, red pepper flakes, and salt: Add water, red pepper flakes, and salt to the pan, stirring to combine.
- Cover and simmer: Cover the beans with a lid and let them simmer for about 20 minutes until they are tender but still have some crunch.
- Drain excess water: If there’s any water left in the skillet, carefully drain it off.
Serving the Skillet Green Beans
- Transfer beans to a plate: Transfer the beans to a serving plate.
- Top with anchovy breadcrumbs: To finish, top the beans with the anchovy breadcrumbs you prepared earlier.
- Serve: Serve your delicious skillet green beans as a standalone dish or as a side to your favorite main course. Enjoy!
Tips For Making the Best Skillet Green Beans Every Single Time
- Choose Fresh Green Beans: To get the best flavor and texture, always opt for fresh green beans. These will give you the perfect crisp-tender result that this recipe is known for.
- Don't Skip the Anchovies: Even if you're not a fan of anchovies, they add a unique depth of flavor to this dish. They won't overpower the dish, but will enhance the overall taste.
- Keep an Eye on Your Garlic: Garlic can easily turn from fragrant to burnt. Make sure to stir frequently and watch it closely to prevent it from burning and becoming bitter.
- Don't Overcook Your Green Beans: You want your green beans to be tender, but not mushy. Saute them until they're just starting to brown, then add your liquids and simmer until they're perfectly crisp-tender.
- Drain Excess Liquid: If there's any water left in the pan after your beans are cooked, be sure to drain it off. This will keep your beans from becoming soggy and keep your breadcrumb topping crisp.
- Top with Breadcrumb Mixture: Don't forget to top your beans with the anchovy breadcrumb mixture for an added crunch and flavor boost. This is what sets this green beans recipe apart.
Serving Suggestions
- These skillet green beans make a perfect side dish for a hearty meal. Pair them with grilled chicken or Spanish-style pork chops, and you've got a delicious, balanced dinner that’ll impress.
- Love Italian cuisine? Try serving your skillet green beans with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top. The rich, salty flavor of the cheese pairs wonderfully with the crisp-tender texture of the beans.
- Skillet green beans can also be a great addition to your holiday table. Serve them alongside roast turkey or baked ham for a festive, colorful, and delicious side dish.
- These beans also make a great light lunch when served with some sauteed mushrooms and onions. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms and the sweetness of the onions compliment the fresh green beans perfectly.
Recipe Variation Ideas for Skillet Green Beans
This delicious skillet green beans recipe is so flavorful and easy to make you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:
- Try it with Bacon: If you're a fan of savory flavors, this variation is for you. Simply saute some bacon in the pan before adding the green beans. The bacon grease will add a smoky flavor to the beans, and the crispy bacon pieces provide a satisfying crunch.
- Make it Citrusy: For those who love a tangy twist, try adding some lemon juice and lemon zest to the green beans. The fresh citrus flavor will brighten up the dish and provide a refreshing contrast to the salty anchovies.
- Add Cheese: Cheese lovers rejoice! Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of the green beans just before serving. The cheese will melt slightly, adding a creamy texture and a rich flavor to the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
After adding the avocado oil and green beans to the pan, saute them for 3-5 minutes until they start to brown slightly. Then, add water, red pepper flakes, and salt, cover the beans, and simmer for about 20 minutes. This should make the beans tender but still have some crunch.
If there's any water left in the skillet after simmering, carefully drain it.
Yes, if you don't have anchovy oil, you can substitute it with olive oil or butter. Just keep in mind that the flavor might slightly change.
Absolutely! Feel free to add mushrooms, bell peppers, or bacon for extra flavor. Just make sure to sauté these ingredients properly before adding the green beans.
Absolutely! Just skip the anchovies and cook the garlic in olive oil instead of the anchovy oil.
How to Store Leftover Skillet Green Beans
Refrigerator: First things first, let your skillet green beans cool down. Once at room temperature, transfer them into an airtight container. They'll stay fresh and crisp-tender in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, you can use a pan or a large skillet over medium heat. Add a little olive oil or butter to the pan to prevent the beans from getting mushy. Stir them gently until they're heated through. You can also sprinkle some water before reheating to maintain the moisture. Alternatively, you can reheat the green beans in a microwave.
Freezing: While it is technically possible to freeze your sautéed green beans, we wouldn't recommend it as it can affect the texture. Frozen and then thawed green beans may lose their crisp-tenderness and become a bit mushy.
You'll Also Enjoy These Side Dishes
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Recipe
Best Ever Skillet Green Beans (Easy + Savory)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon anchovy oil
- 4 anchovy fillets in oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ c Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 lb green beans trimmed
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Heat anchovy oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add anchovies and garlic and cook, stirring for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and the anchovies start to disintegrate. Make sure not to burn the garlic.
- Add breadcrumbs and stir until lightly toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Add avocado oil and green beans to a pan. Saute for 3-5 minutes until the beans start to brown slightly. Add water, red pepper flakes, and salt, cover the beans with a lid, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the beans are tender but still have some crunch.
- If there’s water left in a skillet, carefully drain it.
- Transfer the beans to a serving plate, top with anchovy breadcrumbs, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Pete says
I like it.