I love preparing crisp green beans sautéed with thinly sliced French onions, olive oil and a touch of unsalted butter. This veggie side dish, enhanced with garlic, salt and pepper, offers pure, fresh flavor. Its simplicity and satisfying crunch make it an ideal match for any main course. Simply delightful.

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I recently discovered this awesome sautéed green beans with French onions recipe that’s become my go-to for a quick and irresistible side dish. I love tossing 1 lb of fresh trimmed green beans and 2 medium thinly sliced French onions into a hot pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and a tablespoon of unsalted butter.

It’s super easy and surprisingly flavorful. Adding garlic, even just one or two cloves minced, really lifts the dish up, while a pinch of sugar helps to balance out the slight bitterness of the onions.

Not to mention, a bit of salt and ground black pepper are essentials to bring everything together. I know it sounds simple, but trust me, these sautéed greens are a game changer as a veggie side dish.

Whether you’re looking to impress at a dinner party or just wanting a quick, mouthwatering side, this recipe is a must-try. Enjoy the crunch and flavor explosion!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super simple and doesn’t need a bunch of fancy ingredients. I love how the fresh green beans and buttery French onions come together to make a tasty side that still feels healthy. It’s also really quick to prep and cook, so I can easily whip it up after a long day even if I’m not in the mood to spend hours in the kitchen. And I appreciate that I can mess around with the flavors a bit by adding garlic or even a pinch of sugar to suit my taste perfectly.

Ingredients

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Green Beans: They are full of fiber, vitamins and help with everyday digestion.
French Onions: They offer natural sweetness and antioxidants while addin a nice tang.
Olive Oil: Rich in healthy fats, it gives a smooth body and supports heart health.
Unsalted Butter: Adds creaminess without extra salt, balancing the other flavors well.
Garlic: Boosts aroma and gives a little zing along with some health perks.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out every flavor in the dish.
A Pinch of Sugar: Enhances caramelization and subtly rounds off savory notes.
This blend offers vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a balanced, nutritious meal.
Together, these ingredients create a tasty side dish that is both healthy and comfortin.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

2 medium French onions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)

Salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

A pinch of sugar (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Wash the green beans and trim the ends off.

2. Slice the French onions thinly.

3. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

4. Toss in the sliced onions and cook them until they get soft and start to turn a little brown.

5. If you want to use garlic, add the minced garlic now and mix it in so it don’t burn.

6. Throw in the green beans and stir so that the oil coats them all evenly.

7. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt, mixing it with the green beans and onions.

8. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and if you like a hint of sweetness, a pinch of sugar; stir everything to spread out the flavors.

9. Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often until the beans are crisp-tender.

10. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed then serve this yummy dish warm as a side.

Equipment Needed

1. Colander for washing the green beans
2. Cutting board for trimming the beans and slicing the onions
3. Chef’s knife for chopping the onions and mincing the garlic if using
4. Measuring spoons to accurately add olive oil, butter, and seasonings
5. A large skillet for cooking the onions, beans, and garlic
6. A spatula for stirring the vegetables while they cook

FAQ

Q: What kind of green beans should I use?

A: You should use fresh green beans and make sure to trim off the stem ends so they cook evenly.

Q: Can i substitute French onions for another variety?

A: Sure you can, but French onions add a sweet, subtle flavor when sautéed which really complements the beans.

Q: Is garlic necessary in this recipe?

A: No its optional. If you dont like garlic or dont have any, the beans still taste great without it.

Q: How long do i need to cook the green beans?

A: Cook the beans for around 8 to 10 minutes in total, or until theyre tender yet still have a slight crunch.

Q: Can i add extra seasonings or herbs?

A: Yes, feel free to experiment with a pinch of red pepper flakes or even a bit of thyme for a different twist.

Sautéed Green Beans With French Onions Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Fresh green beans: If you cant find fresh, try using haricots verts or even frozen green beans (but keep an eye on them so they dont get mushy).
French onions: You can swap these for sweet onions like Vidalia or even red onions if you need a different flavor twist.
Olive oil: Avocado oil or grapeseed oil work pretty well as substitutes, giving a similar flavor without any major differences.
Unsalted butter: If you only have salted butter, go ahead and use that but be sure to cut back on the extra salt you add later, or you could give grapeseed oil boosted with a touch of ghee a try.
Garlic: If you dont have garlic cloves, garlic powder is a good option to add that garlicky kick to your dish.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your skillet is nicely heated before adding the onions because if it isn’t hot enough the onions won’t caramelize properly and they can get mushy instead of turning that nice light brown color
2. Only add the garlic after the onions have softened a bit so it doesnt burn fast and ruin the flavor – burnt garlic tastes pretty bitter
3. Keep a close eye on the green beans, taste a piece to confirm they are crisp-tender; overcooking them can make the texture all mushy
4. Feel free to adjust the salt and that pinch of sugar as you go along so the dish turns out exactly the way you like it, sometimes a little extra or less can really make a difference

Sautéed Green Beans With French Onions Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

143

kcal

Equipment: 1. Colander for washing the green beans
2. Cutting board for trimming the beans and slicing the onions
3. Chef’s knife for chopping the onions and mincing the garlic if using
4. Measuring spoons to accurately add olive oil, butter, and seasonings
5. A large skillet for cooking the onions, beans, and garlic
6. A spatula for stirring the vegetables while they cook

Ingredients

1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
2 medium French onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
A pinch of sugar (optional)

Directions

Wash the green beans and trim the ends off.
Slice the French onions thinly.
Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Toss in the sliced onions and cook them until they get soft and start to turn a little brown.
If you want to use garlic, add the minced garlic now and mix it in so it don’t burn.
Throw in the green beans and stir so that the oil coats them all evenly.
Add the butter to the pan and let it melt, mixing it with the green beans and onions.
Sprinkle salt, pepper, and if you like a hint of sweetness, a pinch of sugar; stir everything to spread out the flavors.
Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often until the beans are crisp-tender.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed then serve this yummy dish warm as a side.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.