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    Cucina by Elena » Recipes » Quick and Easy Italian Recipes

    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy)

    Published: Nov 12, 2022 · Modified: Dec 6, 2022 by Elena · 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This Easy Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe takes frozen green beans (you can also use fresh) to the next level. These delicious green beans are quickly blanched and then sauteed in olive oil and butter with onions, garlic, and toasted pinenuts. This creates the perfect texture and adds classic Italian flavors! Ready in 20 minutes.

    This simple recipe makes a tasty side dish for your weeknight dinners, any special occasion feast, and a fresh addition to your holiday meal or Thanksgiving table. Serve with roast chicken or perfect prime rib roast, mashed potatoes, a delicious salad, and Italian Focaccia with Apples and Cheese.

    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) on a grey plate with a fork

    Easy Sautéed Green Beans Recipe

    Everyone needs an easy green bean recipe. I love that this recipe is light and fresh and super easy to make. You can use fresh or frozen beans, depending on what you have on hand. Either way, this recipe delivers that tender-crisp texture you love in sautéed green beans.

    It is a great option for its heavier counterpart, the green bean casserole. Even your picky eater will love this sautéed green beans recipe!

    Love green beans? Try this Italian Flat Green Beans Recipe (with Tomatoes and Garlic).

    Jump to:
    • Easy Sautéed Green Beans Recipe
    • Simple Ingredients
    • How to Make Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) Step-by-Step Photos
    • Types of Green Beans to use
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Serving Suggestions for Sauteed Green Beans
    • FAQ
    • Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy)

    Simple Ingredients

    You can use fresh or frozen green beans for this easy green bean recipe. There are only a few ingredients, so quality is key to the best results. I love to use quality European butter, such as Kerrygold, to add richness to the dish.

    ingredients shot for recipe
    • Frozen green beans, not defrosted (or, Fresh green beans trimmed)
    • Olive oil
    • Yellow onion
    • Garlic cloves
    • Butter
    • Pine nuts
    • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

    See the printable recipe card for quantities.

    How to Make Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) Step-by-Step Photos

    This sautéed frozen green beans recipe is super simple and comes together in a little time. Perfect for a busy weeknight. It's so simple! Start with a good bag of petite green beans and you’ll make a fabulous frozen green bean side dish. 

    process of making sautéed green beans: boiling the green beans.

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the green beans and cook for 2-4 minutes.

    process of making sautéed green beans: placing the green beans in ice water.

    Drain and place in a bowl with ice-cold water this will stop the cooking process. 

    process of making sautéed green beans: frying the onions and pine nuts.

    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, pinenuts, and garlic and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with Salt and Pepper.

    process of making sautéed green beans: mixing green beans with onions and pine nuts in iron skillet pan

    Add the beans and sauté until softened to your taste, about 5-7 minutes.

    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) on a yellow serving platter.

    NOTE: You can skip the blanching process (the cooking method of quickly boiling the green beans), but this will result in a much more crunchy green bean texture. You will also need to increase the cooking time in the pan.

    Types of Green Beans to use

    You can use fresh green beans or frozen beans for this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite type of green bean variety.

    For Frozen Green Beans (look for these varieties):

    • Thin green beans
    • Petite/tiny green beans
    •  Green beans
    • Haricot verts

    Stay away from pre-cut frozen green beans. These thinly cut beans often result in a mushy texture.

    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) on a grey plate with a fork napkin in background.

    Substitutions

    If you want to omit the butter you can use only olive oil. You can also use avocado oil instead of extra virgin olive oil.

    Variations

    The beauty of this simple recipe is you can make simple variations to suit your taste buds. Here are a few options for the next time you make this recipe.

    • Bacon - add crunchy bacon to the top of the final green bean dish. You can also cook the beans in bacon grease for additional flavor. Save the bacon dripping the next time you fry up some bacon.
    • Cheese - add a sprinkle of parmigiano, or parmesan cheese just before serving for a cheesy addition.
    • Red Bell Peppers - the fresh flavors of bell peppers work well with green beans. Simply sautee them when you add the onions and garlic and cook for an extra couple of minutes before adding the green beans.
    • Herbs - at the end of cooking add chopped fresh parsley to finish off the roasted green beans, or other herbs such as dill, green onions, or basil.
    • Fresh Lemon - garnish the green beans with a squeeze of lemon juice and lemon zest just before serving.
    • Nuts - instead of pinenuts use hazelnuts, sliced almonds, pistachios, or walnuts.  
    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) on a grey plate with a fork.

    Equipment

    The skillet to use: I love cooking in a cast iron skillet. It distributes the heat evenly throughout the bottom of the pan and up to the sides. It’s naturally nonstick and super durable. You can also use a dutch oven-type pot.

    Storage

    If you have leftovers cover them with plastic wrap, or store them in an airtight container and refrigerate the beans for up to 2 days.

    Serving Suggestions for Sauteed Green Beans

    Serve your buttery sautéed green bean recipe with these delicious main dishes.

    • Best Baked Cod Recipe (Easy)
    • Best Salmon Piccata Recipe
    • Best Roasted Rack of Lamb with Dijon Pistachio Crust

    FAQ

    Do you have to blanch green beans before sauteeing?

    Blanching, or quickly boiling, gives the green beans vibrant green color. It results in the best texture with a soft inside, but not mushy, and a crunchy outside. Blanching AND sauteeing the green beans gives the best texture.

    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) on a grey plate.

    More delicious recipes

    • Longhorn Steakhouse Crispy Brussels Sprouts Recipe
    • Creamy White Sauce Cauliflower Casserole Italian
    • Italian Focaccia with Apples and Cheese
    • Creamy Mushroom Sauce with Pappardelle Pasta

    Make sure to leave a ⭐️star rating on the recipe card and comment below if you make the recipe. I love to connect with you through my recipes.

    I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @cucinabyelena so I can see your delicious Italian recipes. To get more ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

    Print
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    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy) on a yellow serving platter.

    Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe (Easy)

    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    This Easy Sautéed Frozen Green Beans Recipe takes frozen green beans (you can also use fresh) to the next level. These delicious green beans are quickly blanched and then sauteed in olive oil and butter with onions, garlic, and toasted pinenuts. This creates the perfect texture and adds classic Italian flavors! Ready in 20 minutes.

    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 lb frozen green beans, not defrosted (or, fresh green beans trimmed)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ½ cup pinenuts
    • Salt and Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the green beans and cook for 2-4 minutes. Drain and place in a bowl with ice-cold water this will stop the cooking process. 
    2. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and pine nuts and cook until softened and the pinenuts toasted, about 5-7 minutes. Add the beans, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until softened to your taste, about 3-4 minutes.
    3.  Take off the heat and serve hot. (see notes for recipe variations)

    Notes

    Blanching: You can skip the blanching process (cooking method of quickly boiling the green beans), but this will result in a much more crunchy green bean texture. You will also need to increase the cooking time in the pan. 

    Variations:

    • Bacon - add crunchy bacon to the top of the final green bean dish. You can also cook the beans in bacon grease for additional flavor. Save the bacon dripping the next time you fry up some bacon.
    • Cheese - add a sprinkle of parmigiano, or parmesan cheese just before serving for a cheesy addition.
    • Red Bell Peppers - the fresh flavors of bell peppers work well with green beans. Simply sautee them when you add the onions and garlic and cook for an extra couple of minutes before adding the green beans.
    • Herbs - at the end of cooking add chopped fresh parsley to finish off the roasted green beans, or other herbs such as dill, green onions, or basil.
    • Fresh Lemon - garnish the green beans with a squeeze of lemon juice and lemon zest just before serving.
    • Nuts - instead of pinenuts use hazelnuts, sliced almonds, pistachios, or walnuts.  

     

    • Author: Elena
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Savory
    • Method: Italian
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: green beans, side dish, garlic, frozen green beans, vegetarian

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cucinabyelena on Instagram when you make the recipe! I would love to see it. Don't forget to leave a STAR RATING and REVIEW on this post. Thank you!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon+Davis says

      November 30, 2022 at 5:17 pm

      A quick easy and delicious way to make a side dish! So creative but simple!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elena says

        December 01, 2022 at 9:32 am

        Yes! That's the beauty of simple recipes. Glad you loved them.

        Reply
    2. Elena says

      November 12, 2022 at 12:43 pm

      Super easy and absolutely delicious green bean recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Ciao! I'm Elena. Welcome to my cucina (kitchen). I was born in Italy and grew up spending my summers on the beaches of Sardegna cooking, eating, and sharing tasty Italian meals. Here you will find trusted, achievable, and delicious Italian (and more) recipes that highlight fresh ingredients with a simple process.

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