This easy seasoned green beans recipe is made from simple ingredients that pack in BIG flavor. You’ll love this easy green bean seasoning!
Green beans are one of my favorite vegetable side dishes. They’re easy, they’re a great way to break up a broccoli rut, and there are so many ways to season green beans!
Today I’m sharing an easy green beans recipe that uses simple seasonings to make a big impact. This simple side dish is easy enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough to serve for a special occasion, like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
Seriously, pair them with our Gluten-Free Spaghetti or Meatloaf, or serve them up next to a Glazed Ham or roasted chicken and Mashed Potatoes.
While I love a good green bean casserole or some smothered green beans with bacon, this is my go-to method for seasoning green beans without bacon.
Here’s what you need to make our favorite seasoning for green beans…
Start With Simple Ingredients
- Fresh Green Beans. You’ll start with green string beans. Feel free to buy them pre-trimmed and washed or I’ve got instructions for how to do it below!
- A Little Butter Or Olive Oil. For a vegan, paleo, or Whole30 option, use olive oil. Otherwise, I love using butter!
- Salt & Pepper. I love flaky salt for these beans because of its satisfying crunch. Pepper adds some warmth.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder. These two add such gorgeous savory flavor. Yum!
- Maybe Some Extras. A little fresh lemon zest, a few red pepper flakes, or a light sprinkle of Parmesan cheese can be lovely!
How To Make Seasoned Green Beans, Step By Step
As always, you can find the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below!
For Steamed Green Beans
- Wash & Trim Your Green Beans. Rinse the green beans in colander under cool water to remove any dirt or grit. Gently shake a bit to drain excess water, then trim the beans. Use a sharp knife to cut off any stringy ends at the tops or bottoms of your beans, then cut into bite-sized pieces if desired.
- Add 1-2 inches of water to a 3-quart saucepan and insert a steamer basket. The water should NOT reach the bottom of the steamer basket.
- Steam The Beans. Bring the water to a boil & add green beans to the steamer basket. Cover with the lid and steam 5-7 minutes or until your desired level of tender.
- Finish & Season. Carefully remove the steamer basket from the saucepan, drain the water from the pan, and add greens back into the empty saucepan, or place on a bowl or plate. Toss with butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated.
- Serve & Store. Enjoy these beans warm within 2 hours of making them, or chill leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 3-4 days.
For Sautéed Green Beans
- Wash & Trim Your Green Beans. Rinse the green beans in colander under cool water to remove any dirt or grit. Gently shake a bit to drain excess water, then trim the beans. Use a sharp knife to cut off any stringy ends at the tops or bottoms of your beans, then cut into bite-sized pieces if desired.
- Saute beans. Heat Butter in a medium or large skillet over medium heat. Add beans and 1/4 cup water to the pan and cook over medium heat 10-14 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the beans are tender.
- Finish & Season. Sprinkle the beans with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder and stir until evenly coated.
- Serve & Store. Enjoy these beans warm within 2 hours of making them, or chill leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 3-4 days.
What To Serve With Green Beans
Green beans are a SUPER versatile, flexible side dish option, so they can be dressed up to go with all sorts of delicious dinners. Here are some of our favorite recipes to serve with green beans:
FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Seasoned Green Beans
Can I Use This Seasoning For Frozen Green Beans? Yes! Frozen green beans are a great substitute for fresh green beans, as they’re picked at their peak and quickly frozen to lock in their nutrients. Feel free to use frozen green beans instead!
Can I Use This Seasoning For Canned Green Beans? You can, though I recommend buying low-sodium or no salt added green beans to keep them from getting too salty.
Other Ways To Cook Green Beans. I’ve shared methods for steamed or sauteed green beans above, but if you like, you can use this same seasoning for air fryer green beans or roasted green beans!
Mix It Up! Try One Of These Tasty Variations
- Lemon. A little lemon zest adds brightness and freshness. I love this when I pair the beans with grilled chicken or fish! (Add a squeeze of lemon juice for even more lemon flavor!)
- Add Some Kick! A light sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add extra oomph and a bit of heat to your green beans. Start small and add more, to taste!
- Add Almonds Some Crunch. My favorite variation is adding some toasted sliced almonds for a little crunch. So satisfying! Pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts can be nice, too!
- Swap The Seasoning. Instead of the garlic, onion, and pepper, use a bit of our Italian seasoning blend!
- Try Some Parm For Umami. Finish these green beans with a tiny dusting of Parmesan cheese. This is lovely next to Gluten-Free Meatloaf, Italian grilled chicken, or steak!
- Use Heirloom Green Beans. During the summer months, keep an eye out for colorful green beans at the farmer’s market or well-stocked grocery stores. This method works with purple, yellow, and speckled beans, too!
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tell me all about it! Leave a star rating below when you try our Seasoned Green Beans recipe. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Easy Seasoned Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans trimmed (about 3 1/2-4 cups)
- 1 1/2-2 Tablespoons butter or 1-1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
For Steamed Green Beans:
- Wash & Trim Your Green Beans. Rinse the green beans in colander under cool water to remove any dirt or grit. Gently shake a bit to drain excess water, then trim the beans. Use a sharp knife to cut off any stringy ends at the tops or bottoms of your beans, then cut into bite-sized pieces if desired.
- Add 1-2 inches of water to a saucepan and insert a steamer basket. The water should NOT reach the bottom of the steamer basket.
- Steam The Beans. Bring the water to a boil & add green beans to the steamer basket. Cover with the lid and steam 5-7 minutes or until your desired level of tender.
- Finish & Season. Carefully remove the steamer basket from the saucepan, drain the water from the pan, and add greens back into the empty saucepan, or place on a bowl or plate. Toss with butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated.
- Serve & Store. Enjoy these beans warm within 2 hours of making them, or chill leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 3-4 days.
For Sauteed Green Beans:
- Wash & Trim Your Green Beans. Rinse the green beans in colander under cool water to remove any dirt or grit. Gently shake a bit to drain excess water, then trim the beans. Use a sharp knife to cut off any stringy ends at the tops or bottoms of your beans, then cut into bite-sized pieces if desired.
- Saute beans. Heat Butter in a medium or large skillet over medium heat. Add beans and 1/4 cup water to the pan and cook over medium heat 10-14 minutes or until the water has evaporated and the beans are tender.
- Finish & Season. Sprinkle the beans with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder and stir until evenly coated.
- Serve & Store. Enjoy these beans warm within 2 hours of making them, or chill leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 3-4 days.
Notes
- Can I Use This Seasoning For Frozen Green Beans? Yes! Frozen green beans are a great substitute for fresh green beans, as they’re picked at their peak and quickly frozen to lock in their nutrients. Feel free to use frozen green beans instead!
Mix It Up! Try One Of These Tasty Variations
- Lemon. A little lemon zest adds brightness and freshness. I love this when I pair the beans with grilled chicken or fish! (Add a squeeze of lemon juice for even more lemon flavor!)
- Add Some Kick! A light sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add extra oomph and a bit of heat to your green beans. Start small and add more, to taste!
- Add Almonds Some Crunch. My favorite variation is adding some toasted sliced almonds for a little crunch. So satisfying! Pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts can be nice, too!
- Swap The Seasoning. Instead of the garlic, onion, and pepper, use a bit of our Italian seasoning blend!
- Try Some Parm For Umami. Finish these green beans with a tiny dusting of Parmesan cheese. This is lovely next to Gluten-Free Meatloaf, Italian grilled chicken, or steak!
- Use Heirloom Green Beans. During the summer months, keep an eye out for colorful green beans at the farmer’s market or well-stocked grocery stores. This method works with purple, yellow, and speckled beans, too!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are an estimate only and will vary based on brands and amounts used.
Find it Online:
https://www.onelovelylife.com/seasoned-green-beans/
How much paprika should I add if using? I was thinking the same measurements as the onion and garlic?
Hi Dahlia! I haven’t added paprika to these before, but I’d probably start with 1/8 teaspoon!
These are so good. I would eat so many more fresh veggies if they all tasted like this.
Lovley green bean recipe! So flavourful, will be using again!
Yay! So glad you loved them Aria!
This is a great recipe. I used frozen steam in the bag. I forgot the butter and substituted onion flakes for onion powder. Will definitely continue to use and try more variations.