These spicy green beans are perfectly tender-crisp and quick to make, sautéed with soy sauce, fresh garlic, and crushed red pepper. It’s a simple yet mouthwatering side dish that I love to make for the holidays and beyond. Adapt the spiciness to suit your tastes!
Savory, spicy green beans are one of my go-to side dishes. They’re simple to make, with sweet, tender-crisp string beans sautéed in a delicious blend of soy sauce, fresh garlic, and just a few easy seasonings. The simple ingredients and quick cooking time take plain green beans to a whole other level. Seriously. I could eat these for every meal!
All About This Sautéed Spicy Green Beans Recipe
- Ready in 25 minutes. Sautéing fresh green beans couldn’t be quicker on the stovetop.
- Perfect with any meal. From steak dinners to quiche Florentine, casual weeknights to holidays, these spicy green beans are a never-fail side dish.
- Adapt the spice. I use crushed red pepper flakes so it’s easy to adapt the heat to your tastes. Of course, if you’re sensitive to spice, you can always skip the chili flakes altogether. These beans will still taste savory and delicious!
Ingredient Notes
These are quick notes on the important ingredients in this recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full amounts and recipe details.
- Green Beans – Make sure your green beans are fresh for the best flavor and texture. When they’re available, I like to use French green beans (haricots verts). French green beans are longer and skinnier than regular green beans, and picked earlier, and extra flavorful and tender as a result. You’ll need to blanch the beans before you sauté them, see below.
- Olive Oil – Or your preferred oil for sauteéing. You could also use butter.
- Soy Sauce – Either regular or low-sodium soy sauce works. Worcestershire sauce is an option, though the flavors aren’t quite the same.
- Garlic – Minced garlic adds loads of flavor to the green beans. If needed, substitute ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or 1 tablespoon of jarred garlic per fresh clove. Shallot also goes nicely if you aren’t a fan of garlic.
- Crushed Red Pepper – Puts the “spicy” in these spicy green beans! Use as much or as little as you like. You can also try out other seasonings in this recipe, like Cajun spice, cayenne, or chili powder.
How to Blanch Green Beans
Blanching the green beans first is what allows them to cook all the way through. Afterward, sautéing gives them that crisp-tender texture. Both steps are important for perfect stovetop 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.
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.
I’ll Show You How to Make Spicy Green Beans
This easy side dish takes a total of 25 minutes to whip up on the stovetop.
- Blanch the green beans. Quickly pre-cook the green beans in boiling water, then drain and rinse them (see my How To above).
- Combine with the seasonings. Next, 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. Cook until the soy sauce evaporates and the beans are cooked, then season with salt and pepper and serve.
Make Them 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.
What to Serve With Green Beans
These 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 hits the spot every time.
- I love making these for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner to serve alongside my mom’s homemade stuffing and festive dishes like roasted acorn squash.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate. Cooked green beans will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I’ll often add leftovers to a chicken stir-fry.
- Reheat. To reheat, warm the beans on the stove until cooked through.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
Spicy Green Beans
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
These spicy green beans are perfectly tender-crisp and quick to prepare, sautéed in a mouthwatering blend of soy sauce, fresh garlic, and crushed red pepper.
Ingredients
- ½ pound green beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Boil the green beans 7-10 minutes until fork tender, but still al dente.
- Strain the hot water and run the green beans under cold water.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and green beans and stir to coat. Next add the soy sauce, garlic and crushed red pepper.
- Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the soy sauce evaporates or until the green beans are cooked through. Serve immediately.
I made these this week and my husband, who rarely compliments my cooking, said they were the best green beans he’d ever had! I’m making them again tomorrow!
Yeees Holly! That’s awesome. Thank you so much for leaving this feedback!
Yum, sweet and spicy sounds great! Can’t wait to make these!
I first tried these Thanksgiving 4 years ago! We have been making them ever sense! My daughter makes them now and it’s HER dish she contributes and to dinner! A highly recommend side dish no matter what time of year!
That’s wonderful Kelsey! Thank you so much. I love that your daughter makes them!