Sautéed Green or Yellow Beans

Recipe by The FruitGuys

Sometimes, a simple recipe is better than a complicated one, and this dish is a great example. All it takes is green or yellow beans, a little garlic, a bit of onion, and just enough time in the pan to bring everything together. The basic preparation lets the produce shine, and you wind up with a nice balance of textures from the just-this-side-of-crunchy beans and soft, sweet onions.

Enjoy these tasty beans as a side dish with your dinner or meal prep them to eat with your work lunch all week.

Ingredients

• 1 pound green beans, yellow wax beans, or both
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Prepare the Beans: Wash beans well. Cut or break stems off of beans, and break or slice into bite-size pieces.
2. Cook the Onion: Heat olive oil in a deep frying pan or skillet over medium heat, add garlic and onion, and stir for 2–3 minutes.
3. Add Garlic and Sauté: Increase heat slightly, add beans, and sauté until tender but still crunchy (for softer beans, continue cooking a little longer).
4. Season and Serve: Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Serves 3–4 as a side dish; cook time, 5–7 minutes.

Cook’s Notes:

• You can easily halve this recipe if you’re cooking for fewer people.
• Try swapping the olive oil for butter for a richer flavor.
• For the best texture, cook the beans until they’re crisp-tender to preserve their fresh flavor and color.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and either enjoy them cold or reheat them before serving.

FAQs

1. How do you store cooked green and yellow beans?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and either enjoy them cold or reheat them before serving.

2. Are yellow wax beans the same as green beans?

Pretty much! Yellow wax beans are a type of green bean. They have a similar texture and flavor, making them an easy substitute in most recipes. Some say there are subtle differences between the yellow beans and green beans—you’ll have to try them to find out.

3. Can I use both green and yellow beans together?

Absolutely. Combining green and yellow beans will make your vegetable side dish more colorful without changing its flavor or tender-crisp texture.