By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 3, 2026
Serves 2
142 cal · 15 min
Sautéed Green Beans
Recipe GLPRa22b0782cad48e
Fresh green beans quickly sautéed in butter until tender-crisp and lightly golden, finished with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper. A simple, elegant side dish that showcases the natural flavor of quality vegetables.
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Ingredients
½ pound green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Coarse salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Rinse the trimmed green beans and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. Drying ensures even browning and prevents spattering in the pan.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the unsalted butter and let it melt, swirling the pan occasionally until the butter is foaming and light golden.
Add the dried green beans to the skillet in a single layer. Allow them to cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes to develop light browning and color.
Stir the green beans and continue cooking for another 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender-crisp and lightly browned. The beans should yield slightly to the bite but still have a bit of firmness.
Remove from heat and transfer the green beans to a serving dish. Season generously with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately while still warm.
Comments
Green beans are reliably stocked year-round at every Charlotte chain, and butter, salt, and pepper are pantry staples, so no special shopping trips needed. At roughly 50 cents per serving for the beans and another 30 cents for butter, this runs about 80 cents per serving, making it one of the cheapest sides available. The 15-minute claim is honest—trimming the beans takes a few minutes, then sautéing happens fast, though you'll want to stir them occasionally to avoid burning. It reheats adequately in a skillet, making leftovers viable for lunch the next day, and the simple, unfussy cooking suits weeknight routines perfectly.
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