Garlicky Green Beans

3.4

(5)

4 Reviews

These easy garlic green beans are the perfect side for any protein. You can cook the beans ahead of time and then reheat and season them right before serving. If you don't like tarragon, substitute dill or leave it out completely.

Jessie Price

Published on May 2, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

the recipe photo for the Garlicky Green Beans — Photo:
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber Heart-Healthy Vegan Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free

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Ingredients

2 pounds green beans, trimmed
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, or 2 teaspoons dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place a large bowl of ice water next to the stove.
Add half the green beans to the boiling water and cook until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer the beans with a slotted spoon to the ice water to cool. Repeat with the remaining beans. Place a kitchen towel on a baking sheet and use a slotted spoon to transfer the beans from the ice water; blot dry with another towel.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Just before serving, heat oil in a large Dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the green beans and stir. Add parsley, tarragon, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 3 minutes.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

To make ahead

Prepare through Step 2 and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are green beans good for you?

Green beans are a low-carb vegetable rich in vitamins C and K. They offer a nice dose of fiber and a little plant protein, as well as folate and potassium to help regulate blood pressure. Green beans contain the antioxidant beta carotene, which can help fight inflammation in the body.
Is garlic good for you?

Each little clove of garlic packs a variety of nutrients, including vitamin C, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamin K. But because the amount of garlic we eat at any one time is small, we technically don’t get many direct health benefits from these nutrients. With that said, other compounds in garlic—like the sulfuric compounds that give garlic its distinct smell—may play a role in several health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Eating garlic may also help reduce inflammation and support gut and immune health.
What should I serve with garlicky green beans?

These garlicky green beans go with nearly everything we can think of: roast chicken, steak, pork and fish. You can chop them up and add them to scrambled eggs, and they go well with pasta dishes too.
How do you trim green beans?

It’s always a good idea to trim beans to get rid of the stems and tough ends so they’ll be easier to eat and look more presentable on a plate. You can snap the ends off by hand, but if you have a lot of beans, this might take a while, and they might not break where you want them to. We have two favorite methods for trimming green beans. The first is to hold a bunch of beans in one hand and use the other hand to snip off both ends using kitchen shears—like you’re giving them a haircut. The second is to line up all the beans on a cutting board and cut across the ends.
Can I make this recipe ahead?

Absolutely. You can keep cooked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. Freezing them works well too. Cook up a batch or two and seal them in freezer bags marked with a use-by date—they should be good for a month.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm

EatingWell.com, May 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

85	Calories
5g	Fat
9g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 85
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 9g	3%
Dietary Fiber 3g	11%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 2g	5%
Total Fat 5g	7%
Saturated Fat 1g	4%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Vitamin A 46Âµg
Vitamin C 17mg	19%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 1mg	8%
Folate 40Âµg
Vitamin K 75Âµg
Sodium 140mg	6%
Calcium 51mg	4%
Iron 1mg	8%
Magnesium 30mg	7%
Potassium 262mg	6%
Zinc 0mg	3%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.