Spicy Garlic Green Beans are a simple side dish with bold flavor and just the right amount of heat. Crisp-tender green beans are sautéed with golden garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, then tossed in olive oil for a vibrant finish. If you’re building out a dinner menu for the week, pair these with a delicious main dish like our Asiago Chicken and Gnocchi!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Spicy Garlic Green Beans are the kind of side dish that turns vegetables into the star. The blanch-and-sauté method keeps the texture just right, while garlic and red pepper flakes bring bold flavor with very little effort. It’s quick, pantry-friendly, and easy to scale up for a crowd or prep in advance for weeknight meals.

Tips and Tricks

Blanching matters: A quick 4-minute boil helps the beans keep their vibrant color and perfect bite. Don’t skip the rinse; it stops the cooking process.
Garlic timing: Minced garlic burns fast. Add it just before the beans and stir constantly for the best golden color and mellow flavor.
Adjust the heat: We used ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, but you can increase it for something bolder or reduce it to keep things a little less spicy.

Customization Ideas

Add citrus: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end adds brightness and balance.
Finish with sesame: A dash of toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds can give it an Asian-inspired twist.
Make it buttery: Swap olive oil for unsalted butter if you want a richer finish.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This recipe is great for prepping ahead. Blanch the green beans and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, just sauté with garlic and red pepper flakes for a fresh, just-cooked flavor.

Leftovers? Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in a skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes.

Spicy Garlic Green Beans

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 37

Total Time 12

Spicy Garlic Green Beans are crisp, bold, and ready in minutes—perfect as a quick, flavorful side dish for any meal.

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Ingredients

▢ 8 ounces 250 grams green beans, trimmed
▢ 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
▢ 2 teaspoons garlic minced
▢ ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
▢ ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 1 pinch black pepper

Instructions

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 4 minutes, until they are bright green and just tender. Drain and rinse under cold tap water to cool them down. Shake off any excess water and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds, watch closely to avoid burning.
Add the green beans to the skillet and toss everything together for 2 minutes, until the beans are heated through and coated in the garlic-chili oil.
Season with kosher salt and black pepper, and serve warm.