Haricots Verts With Garlic
Haricots verts are tender, slim French green beans that cook quickly and taste naturally sweet. This simple side dish combines them with fragrant garlic and olive oil or butter for a light yet flavorful accompaniment. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for a holiday dinner or special occasion.
Haricots verts are slim, tender French green beans with a naturally sweet flavor. They cook quickly and make an effortless side dish for almost any meal.
Here, they’re simply blanched and then sautéed with garlic and olive oil—or butter, if you prefer. It’s a side that’s light, flavorful, and elegant enough for a holiday table or dinner party, yet still easy for a weeknight meal.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Haricots Verts With Garlic
Quick and easy. These French green beans cook in under 15 minutes.
Simple but flavorful. Garlic and olive oil give them a delicious, aromatic touch.
Elegant presentation. Slim, tender beans look beautiful on any table.
Versatile side. Perfect with roasted meats, fish, or vegetarian dishes.
How to Make Haricots Verts With Garlic
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the haricots verts and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add the cooked beans to the skillet and toss gently until hot. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.
Recipe Variations
- Add a squeeze of lemon. Finish with fresh lemon juice or zest for brightness.
- Top with almonds. Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds for texture.
- Make it herby. Toss with fresh parsley, thyme, or tarragon before serving.
- Add a bit of spice. Sauté a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Drizzle with balsamic. A touch of balsamic glaze adds a sweet-tangy finish.
- Go buttery. Use all butter instead of olive oil for a richer flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a simple side for roast chicken, beef, or fish.
- Pair with mashed potatoes or rice for a classic meal.
- Add them to a holiday or dinner party spread for a light green side.
- Garnish with extra herbs or toasted nuts for an elegant presentation.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate. Store leftover haricots verts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze? Freezing is not recommended, as the beans can become soft and lose their crisp texture when thawed.
To Reheat. Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or butter just until heated through.
Haricots Verts With Garlic
Tender French green beans sautéed with garlic and olive oil or butter. A simple, elegant side dish.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Vegetables, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 1 pound small French green beans (haricots verts)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Optional: 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the haricots verts. Fill a large saucepan with water; add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Place the pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the green beans to the water and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover the pan, and cook the green beans for 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Sauté the garlic. In a skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is aromatic and just begins to change color,
- Finish the dish. Add the green beans to the garlic mixture and cook, stirring gently, until hot. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 99
- Sugar: 3.7 g
- Sodium: 317.2 mg
- Fat: 7.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.8 g
- Fiber: 3.2 g
- Protein: 2.2 g
