Sweet and Spicy Green Beans - Easy Side Dish Recipe (2024)

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These Sweet and Spicy Green Beans are perfectly crisp, tender, spicy, and simple. They’re made with soy sauce, fresh garlic, and crushed red pepper.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Sautéed Spicy Green Beans
• What You’ll Need
• How to Cook Green Beans on the Stove
• How to Blanch Green Beans
• Should You Boil Green Beans Before Sautéing?
• Serving Suggestions
• Making Ahead of Time
• How to Store Cooked Green Beans
• More Easy Side Dish Recipes
• Get the Recipe

Sautéed Spicy Green Beans

If you’re anything like me, you dread the “what’s for dinner” question. Planning side dishes is always easier for me. And when I’m craving something more savory, these Sweet and Spicy Green Beans are a go to!

They’re a simple and easy side dish made with fresh green beans, olive oil and soy sauce, fresh garlic, and just a few basic seasonings. The simple ingredient combination takes plain green beans from good to incredible.

Seriously. I could eat these for every meal.

What You’ll Need

• Green Beans – use fresh green beans for the best flavor and texture.
• Olive Oil– or any type of oil for sauteéing
• Soy Sauce
• Garlic – chopped garlic adds so much flavor to the green beans.
• Crushed Red Pepper – this is what makes the green beans into spicy green beans. Use as much or as little as you like!
• Salt and Pepper

How to Cook Green Beans on the Stove

This easy side dish takes a total of 20 minutes to whip up!

1. Blanch the green beans: Bring 3 cups of water to a boil and add in the beans. Boil until fork-tender, then strain and run under cold water immediately to stop the cooking process. This is known as blanching.
2. Sauté: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add in oil and beans. Stir to coat and top with soy sauce, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Sauté until the soy sauce evaporates and the beans are cooked, then season with salt and pepper and serve.

How to Blanch Green Beans

To blanch the green beans, boil them in water for 7-10 minutes or until they’re fork tender. Once tender, drain the water then immediately rinse the beans under cold water for a minute or so to stop the cooking process.

Should You Boil Green Beans Before Sautéing?

Yes! Boiling the green beans is what cooks them all the way through. Sautéing is what gives them that crisp-tender texture. Both steps are important!

In theory, you can skip the blanching step, but the texture won’t be the same and you run the risk of burning the exterior before the inside is cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

These sweet and spicy green beans are incredibly versatile! Just pick your favorite protein, soup, pasta dish, etc. to pair them with. The possibilities are endless!

• These would be a great side dish if you’re serving Ham and Cheese Sliders
• If you’re craving comfort food, my baked Mac and Cheese would be good to
• I love making these for Thanksgiving and serving them alongside my mom’s homemade stuffing

Making Ahead of Time

Once sautéed, these spicy green beans are best right away. However, you can prep them ahead of time by blanching in advance, then sautéing them right before serving. When you’re preparing a bunch of different things for meal time, this works about best.

How to Store Cooked Green Beans

Cooked green beans will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm on the stove until cooked through.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

• Bacon Delicata Salad
• Crispy Lemon Potatoes
• Quinoa Vegetable Salad

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