Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and Caramelized Shallots

These vibrant and crunchy Garlicky Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots make for a quick, nutritious, and tasty side dish that can be prepared in merely 15 minutes! There’s no need for blanching. Ideal for hectic weekday dinners or as a delightful addition to a festive meal.

You are going to adore these green beans infused with garlic and shallots! A wonderfully straightforward, nutritious, and flavorful side dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. These fresh, crunchy green beans combined with caramelized shallots and garlic burst with savory-sweet flavors and are incredibly easy to prepare. Perfect for busy evenings, yet also refined enough for special occasions or your Thanksgiving feast. This green bean and shallots dish is sure to become your new favorite!

Reasons to Love This

• Quick and convenient – these green beans are ready in just 15 minutes using a single skillet and minimal prep time, with no blanching needed!
• Nutritious side dish – green beans are rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making this dish as healthy as it is tasty.
• Easy ingredients – you only need a handful of basic pantry items to whip up this delightful side.
• Versatile – you can easily adapt this to suit your family’s preferences. Add some heat, mix in crunchy nuts, or top with parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Necessary Ingredients

• green beans – a pound of fresh green beans or French green beans (haricot verts) is required for this dish. No canned beans needed!
• olive oil – I prefer using high-quality extra-virgin olive oil or butter for caramelizing the shallots. You can also mix both, or use avocado or canola oil.
• shallots – caramelizing shallots adds natural sweetness without needing additional sugar. Sweet onions, white onions, or red onions can be substituted for shallots, and you can also include green onions.
• garlic – fresh chopped garlic or jarred minced garlic works well here. I wouldn’t recommend garlic powder for this recipe, but it can be used in a pinch.
• soy sauce – a tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce significantly enhances the flavor and adds a touch of umami. You may replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
• salt and pepper – kosher salt (or sea salt) and black pepper are essential for seasoning the green beans.

Instructions for Cooking Garlic Green Beans

1. Caramelize the shallots. In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat extra virgin olive oil or melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook until they’re soft and translucent, stirring often, for about 8 to 10 minutes. Then add the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
2. Simmer the green beans. Toss in the green beans, approximately a teaspoon of salt, pepper, soy sauce, and half a cup of water, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 8 minutes.
3. Complete cooking. Uncover the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the green beans for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid has evaporated, and the green beans are tender and the shallots are jammy.
4. Serve and relish. Season the sautéed green beans with extra salt and pepper to taste, then transfer them to a serving platter. Serve warm and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Recipe Variations

• Spice it up – throw in some red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce for an extra kick.
• Add mushrooms – sauté sliced mushrooms with the shallots for added richness and nutritious benefits.
• Include a crunch – toss in sliced almonds, toasted pecans, or walnuts to add texture and crunch.
• Garnish with bacon – for a smoky richness, adding crispy bacon creates a delightful balance of salty and savory flavors with a pleasing crunch.
• Fresh lemon juice – incorporating a teaspoon of lemon juice or zest will brighten the green beans if desired.
• Cheese sprinkle – add a dusting of parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Preparation and Storage Tips

Leftover green beans can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over medium heat with a little olive oil, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. I advise against freezing leftovers as the delicate texture of the green beans will be compromised after thawing.

Additional Side Dishes

More Green Bean Inspirations

Hope you all savor these Garlicky Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots! If you enjoy them as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! I love seeing all your wonderful recreations!