This Sautéed Green Beans recipe is an easy way to make canned green beans taste better. From bland and mushy to flavorful and slightly crispy. All you need are a few simple ingredients, a hot pan, and about 15 minutes. Easy side dish for weeknight dinners that's special enough for special occasions.
For more easy side dishes, try Microwave Steamed Carrots, Sauteed Canned Corn, and Roasted Frozen Green Beans.
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✅Sautéed Canned Green Beans at a Glance
- Easy way to elevate the taste and texture of canned green beans.
- Key ingredients: canned green beans, butter, garlic, onion powder, lemon juice
- Cooking method: stainless steel or cast iron pan on the stovetop
- Doneness: Your call-- cook until lightly golden, blistered, or deeply charred (my favorite!)
- Ready in 15 minutes!
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I don't like all canned veggies, but I happen to love canned green beans.They're easy, convenient, inexpensive, and have a long shelf life, so you can stock up. And they're also delicious!
Will canned green beans ever be as bright green and crisp-tender as fresh beans? No, but that's okay!
This simple sauteed green beans recipe amps up the texture and flavor of canned green beans by blasting them in a hot pan until they're perfectly charred, a little bit crispy, and a whole lot of tasty!
🍋Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Canned green beans. Drain and rinse the canned beans to reduce the sodium and wash away the dull, canned flavor. You can also use fresh green beans or frozen and thawed green beans -- cooking time will vary.
- Butter. You can also use a little olive oil -- or bacon grease if you have any!
- Minced garlic. Fresh garlic adds so much flavor. ⅛ -¼ teaspoon garlic powder may also be used.
- Lemon juice. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the dish.
- Optional add-ons. Add a little freshly grated Parmesan, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs as a delicious finishing touch.
🥘How to Saute Canned Green Beans
Step 1: Heat a 12" large skillet (stainless steel or cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and heat until melted. Spread green beans in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.
Step 2: Cook green beans, undisturbed, stirring only every couple of minutes to allow them to get crispy, or until they're done to your liking. For blistered green beans, allow 11-13 minutes.
Step 3: Push green beans off to the side and add 1 tablespoon of butter, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a little lemon juice.
Stir and saute 30 seconds to one minute more until garlic is light golden brown.
Step 4: If desired, serve with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
💡Top Tips
- Be sure to completely drain and rinse the green beans to remove that "can-flavored" liquid.
- For best results, use a stainless steel or cast iron skillet to sauté canned green beans, especially if you like them blistered or charred. Nonstick skillets are typically not designed for cooking at high temperatures.
- Use a large skillet, and do not crowd the pan. The beans need to cook in an even layer.
- To cook more than two cans of green beans, use a second large pan or cook in batches
🍴What to Serve with Canned Green Beans
Sauteed canned green beans are the perfect weekday dinner side dish to serve alongside chicken, fish, pork, or pasta.
❓Canned Green Beans FAQs
Store leftover sauteed canned green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Yes, you can sauté canned green beans over medium heat in a nonstick skillet. It will just take longer because nonstick skillets are generally not designed for cooking at high temperatures.
The fastest and easiest way to elevate a can of green beans is to sauté them in a hot skillet with a little butter, garlic, and onion powder.
Add chopped bacon, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce, or a little lemon juice to brighten up the canned flavors.
😋More Favorite Green Bean Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Sautéed Canned Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cans cut green beans, drained and rinsed 14.5 ounce cans
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 clove minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 squeeze fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat 12" skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it melt. Arrange green beans in a single layer. Cook green beans undisturbed, turning only every couple of minutes until crispy or they reach your desired doneness. For blistered green beans, allow about 11-13 minutes.
- Push green beans to the side and add 1 tablespoon of butter, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a splash of fresh lemon juice to the pan. Stir and heat for 30 seconds to one minute, until garlic is lightly golden.
- If desired, serve with fresh herbs and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Be sure to completely drain and rinse the green beans to remove that "can-flavored" liquid.
- For best results, use a stainless steel or cast iron skillet to sauté canned green beans, especially if you like them blistered or charred. Nonstick skillets are typically not designed for cooking at high temperatures.
- Use a large skillet, and do not crowd the pan. The beans need to cook in an even layer.
- To cook more than two cans of green beans, use a second large pan or cook in batches.
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