Blanching Green Beans

Blanched green beans in a serving bowl ready to enjoy.

Blanching green beans is an easy way to cook green beans that aren't soggy or limp! They cook up perfectly every time! All you need is garlic, butter, and a little salt and pepper to dress up these simple veggies.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword blanch green beans, blanching green beans, how to blanch green beans

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings servings

Calories 139kcal

Author Jennifer

Ingredients

2 pound fresh green beans trimmed and cut in half
8 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Place green beans into a large skillet and cover with water. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans start to soften, about 5 minutes. Drain water and green beans. Leave the green beans in the strainer.
Add butter and garlic to the skillet. Cook and stir until butter is melted, about 4-6 minutes.
Add green beans back to the skillet and stir them into the butter mixture until fully coated.
Sprinkle it with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Different seasoning. Feel free to change up the seasoning. You can saute some shallot or onion with the garlic, add a pinch of red chili flakes, or add your favorite vegetable spice blend.
Don’t skip the blanching step! It’s the secret to green beans that are cooked to perfection and not limp and soggy!
Use a good quality butter. It will give your blanched green beans a rich, buttery taste. If you use margarine or another fake butter, the flavor won’t be nearly as good.
DO NOT use canned or frozen green beans! This method of preparation (blanching and sautéing) requires fresh green beans. You will be very disappointed by the results without green beans.

Nutrition