Some side dishes quietly steal the spotlight, and these Garlic and Thyme Green Beans are a perfect example. Fresh green beans get a quick simmer until tender-crisp, then a toss in olive oil and garlic before fresh thyme adds its earthy, fragrant finish. The result is a simple vegetable side with plenty of flavor that doesn’t need a complicated sauce or a long list of ingredients.
This stovetop recipe takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and uses just six ingredients: green beans, olive oil, garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and coarsely ground black pepper. First, the beans simmer briefly in salted water until they reach the texture you like. After draining, they’re returned to the skillet, where the garlic warms in olive oil and the beans cook for another couple of minutes. Fresh thyme and black pepper finish the dish with a savory aroma that complements the beans without overpowering their natural flavor.
For the best texture, start checking the green beans after five minutes of simmering. You want them tender enough to enjoy but still crisp, rather than soft or waterlogged. Drain them well before adding them back to the skillet so the olive oil and garlic can coat the beans instead of becoming diluted. Add the thyme after removing the skillet from the heat to preserve its fresh, herbal character.
A 12-inch skillet makes it easy to cook the beans in a single layer and toss them with the garlic and seasonings. These Garlic and Thyme Green Beans pair especially well with roasted chicken, seared steak, pork, or a holiday dinner. With familiar ingredients, straightforward preparation, and a fresh savory finish, they’re an easy way to make green beans feel special enough for company while remaining practical for a weeknight meal.
Try these Garlic and Thyme Green Beans with Herb-Crusted Beef Roast with Horseradish-Chive Sauce, Grilled Chicken & Apple Cider Vinegar Marinade or Herbed Chicken & Potatoes.
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Garlic and Thyme Green Beans
- Total Time: :20
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- ¾ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 lb. green beans
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 clove garlic
- 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 inch water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boiling on high. Add beans; heat to boiling. Simmer on low, uncovered, 5 to 10 minutes or until tender-crisp; drain. Wipe skillet dry.
- In same skillet, heat oil and garlic 1 minute on medium. Add beans and cook about 2 minutes or until beans are hot. Remove skillet from heat and toss beans with thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper.
- Prep Time: :10
- Cook Time: :10
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Diet: Vegetarian