Perfectly Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and White Wine: An Easy & Flavorful Side Dish

Discover the secret to making truly exceptional Sautéed Green Beans that are far from bland and incredibly quick to prepare. This recipe elevates a simple side dish into a culinary delight, bursting with flavor from garlic, butter, and a hint of white wine. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, these vibrant, tender-crisp green beans will become your go-to accompaniment for almost any meal. Forget soggy or tasteless vegetables; this guide will show you how to achieve perfectly seasoned, irresistible green beans every single time. Let’s dive into the details that make this recipe a standout!

Sautéed Green Beans fresh out of the skillet with all the cooked garlic bits on top, ready to be served. — Golden-brown sautéed green beans garnished with fragrant garlic bits, fresh from the pan, promising a delicious bite.

Making a fantastic vegetable side doesn’t require a long list of exotic ingredients. In fact, some of the best flavors come from simple, high-quality components combined with clever techniques. This particular recipe for garlic and white wine sautéed green beans is a testament to that principle. It’s all about understanding how each ingredient contributes to the final taste and texture, and executing a few key steps that lock in maximum flavor. The result is a vibrant, tender-crisp dish with a beautiful sheen and an irresistible aroma that complements everything from a weeknight roast chicken to an elegant holiday feast. This comprehensive guide ensures your green beans are always a triumph.

Why Sautéed Green Beans Are a Must-Try Side Dish

Green beans, also widely known as string beans, are a universally cherished vegetable, and for excellent reasons. They are remarkably nutritious, packed with essential vitamins such as K, C, and A, alongside dietary fiber and folate, making them a healthy and beneficial addition to any meal plan. Beyond their impressive nutritional profile, green beans are incredibly versatile and boast a quick cooking time, positioning them as an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you need an impressive side dish without extensive preparation. When prepared with precision, they offer a delightful crunch and a subtly sweet, earthy flavor that can be beautifully enhanced with just a few carefully selected complementary ingredients.

However, many home cooks often encounter challenges, resulting in green beans that are either excessively soft and watery or, conversely, undercooked and tough. This particular recipe meticulously addresses these common pitfalls by employing a specific, refined cooking method that guarantees a perfect al dente texture and infuses them with profound layers of savory flavor. Our technique involves an initial, brief blanching period in generously salted water, immediately followed by a rapid sauté in aromatic butter, olive oil, and freshly grated garlic. The process culminates with a deglazing splash of dry white wine. This harmonious combination ensures a tender-crisp bean with a visually appealing vibrant green color, a beautiful sheen, and an irresistible aroma that will undoubtedly have everyone reaching for an extra serving.

Essential Ingredients for Irresistible Green Beans

The true elegance of this recipe stems from its inherent simplicity. There’s no need for an extensive array of obscure pantry items to achieve truly fantastic results. Each component has been thoughtfully chosen and plays a pivotal role in developing the rich flavor profile and achieving the quintessential perfect texture of these sautéed green beans. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need, along with an explanation of why each ingredient is absolutely essential for culinary success:

All the fresh ingredients neatly laid out on a kitchen counter, showcasing the simplicity and quality required for making Sautéed Green Beans. — A curated selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients, forming the foundation for our flavorful sautéed green beans.

Fresh French Green Beans (Haricot Verts): While standard green beans can certainly be used, French haricot verts are truly the star and are highly recommended for this recipe. These noticeably thinner and longer beans cook significantly faster and consistently retain a more delicate, perfect bite. Their inherently tender nature means they require less cooking time, which directly contributes to their vibrant green color and a distinctly superior texture compared to their thicker, more fibrous counterparts.
Olive Oil: A measured touch of good quality olive oil serves a dual purpose: it helps to prevent the butter from burning when subjected to higher sautéing temperatures and simultaneously adds a subtle, yet desirable, fruity and peppery depth to the overall flavor of the sauté.
Unsalted Butter: Butter is an absolutely critical ingredient, providing a luscious richness and contributing to a beautiful golden-brown finish on the beans. Opting for unsalted butter is a strategic choice, as it grants you precise control over the ultimate saltiness of the finished dish, allowing for perfect seasoning.
Fresh Garlic: Utilizing freshly grated garlic offers the most intense, pungent, and evenly distributed garlic flavor throughout the dish. It is strongly advised to avoid pre-minced garlic, as its flavor can often be less potent, sometimes possessing an undesirable bitter undertone. The captivating aroma of freshly grated garlic as it begins to sauté in the pan is truly intoxicating and a key part of this dish’s appeal!
Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is fundamentally essential, not only for perfectly seasoning the blanching water but also for enhancing the overall flavor profile of the green beans themselves. Salt doesn’t merely impart a “salty” taste; more importantly, it judiciously draws out and amplifies the natural sweetness and inherent depth of the vegetables. Morton’s Kosher Salt is particularly recommended for its excellent texture and consistent salinity.
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: A few generous grinds of fresh cracked black pepper introduce a subtle hint of spice and a complex aromatic quality that beautifully complements and balances the other flavors in the dish, adding a nuanced layer of taste.
Dry White Wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc): A strategic splash of dry white wine is the true secret weapon that elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary. It performs the vital task of deglazing the pan, meticulously lifting all those delectable browned bits and caramelized residues from the bottom, effectively incorporating them back into a rich, flavorful sauce. This step adds a layer of bright, acidic flavor and an undeniable sophistication. Crucially, always use a wine that you would genuinely enjoy drinking on its own, as its quality will directly influence the final taste and aroma of your perfectly sautéed green beans. You only require a small quantity, so a bottle you appreciate for sipping is ideal.

For precise ingredient measurements and a detailed step-by-step guide, please use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post or scroll directly to the bottom to view the full recipe card.

Equipment Needed for This Recipe

One of the many appealing aspects of this recipe is its classification as a “one-skillet wonder,” implying that you won’t need an extensive array of specialized kitchen tools. However, having the correct basic equipment readily available will undoubtedly streamline the preparation process and make the entire cooking experience more efficient and enjoyable:

Large Skillet or Frying Pan: An ideal choice would be a 10-12 inch skillet featuring high sides to contain the beans effectively during tossing. A cast iron skillet is particularly excellent for its superior and even heat distribution, which is crucial for achieving a desirable sear on the green beans. Nonetheless, any large, heavy-bottomed skillet that can maintain consistent heat will perform admirably.
Colander: An essential utensil specifically designed for efficiently draining the blanched green beans and quickly rinsing them under cold water.
Tongs: These are indispensable tools for expertly tossing the green beans within the skillet, ensuring even cooking and coating, and for gracefully moving them between the hot pan and the colander.
Microplane Grater (or Garlic Press): While a standard garlic press is functional, a microplane grater is highly recommended. It excels at finely grating garlic, ensuring it seamlessly melts into the butter and oil mixture, thereby releasing its maximum flavor without the presence of any undesirable large, raw chunks.
Rubber Spatula: A robust rubber spatula is incredibly useful for carefully scraping every last bit of that savory garlic-butter sauce over the top of your finished green beans, ensuring that no flavorful element is left behind.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Sautéed Green Beans

This recipe has been meticulously designed to maximize both efficiency and flavor, ingeniously utilizing a clever two-stage cooking process, all executed within the confines of the same pan. Follow these detailed steps precisely to achieve perfectly cooked, unbelievably delicious, and vibrant green beans that will be a highlight of any meal:

Stage 1: Blanching for Ideal Texture and Seasoning

Prepare the Blanching Water: Initiate the process by filling your large skillet with approximately 2 inches of clean water. Place the skillet firmly over high heat and bring the water to a vigorous, rolling boil.
Season the Water: This step is “secret number one” to crafting truly incredible green beans and should never be overlooked. Once the water has reached a rapid boil, add a generous teaspoon of kosher salt. Salting the water at this stage seasons the beans thoroughly from the inside out as they cook, imparting a significantly more profound and integrated flavor than if you were to simply add salt later. Consider it akin to cooking pasta; you wouldn’t cook pasta in unsalted water, and the same fundamental principle applies here for optimal taste.
Blanch the Green Beans: Carefully, yet swiftly, add the fresh green beans to the vigorously boiling, salted water. Cook them for precisely 4 minutes. This carefully timed, brief blanching period is critical; it ensures that the beans achieve that coveted tender-crisp texture – cooked sufficiently through, yet still retaining a slight, satisfying bite and their visually appealing vibrant green color. French haricot verts will reach this perfect state within this exact timeframe.
Drain and Rinse: Immediately after the 4 minutes are up, drain the blanched beans out of the pan and into a colander positioned in your sink. Proceed to rinse them thoroughly and vigorously with cold tap water. This step is absolutely crucial as it instantaneously halts the cooking process, thereby preventing the beans from overcooking and succumbing to an undesirable soggy texture. There is no need to create an elaborate ice water bath; a thorough cold water rinse is perfectly sufficient, especially since the beans will be returning to the hot pan very shortly.

Boiling the green beans in the skillet before beginning the sautéing process, ensuring a perfect texture and vibrant color. — The initial blanching stage in salted water is vital for achieving the ideal tender-crisp texture and vibrant color of the green beans.

Stage 2: Sautéing for Flavor and Finish

Return Pan to Heat: Thoroughly wipe the same skillet dry (or allow it to dry completely from the residual heat) and place it back on the stove, setting the heat to medium-high.
Sauté Aromatics: Add both the olive oil and the unsalted butter to the now-hot pan. Once the butter has completely melted and the mixture is shimmering, introduce the freshly grated garlic. Sauté the garlic for approximately 30-60 seconds, or just until it becomes incredibly fragrant and begins to acquire a very light, delicate golden color. It is imperative to be vigilant during this stage – garlic can transition from perfectly aromatic to burnt and bitter in mere seconds.
Add Green Beans and Season: Swiftly toss the blanched and thoroughly rinsed green beans back into the pan with the aromatic oil and butter. Season them generously with an additional pinch of kosher salt and several grinds of fresh black pepper. Stir and toss everything together meticulously to ensure the beans are evenly coated with the luscious garlicky butter and oil mixture.
Deglaze with White Wine: Pour in the specified quantity of dry white wine. This “deglazing” step is truly magical; the wine will immediately bubble vigorously, lifting and dissolving any delicious browned bits and caramelized fond from the bottom of the pan, effectively incorporating them back into the developing sauce. The alcohol content will rapidly evaporate, leaving behind a wonderful depth of flavor, a subtle acidity, and an undeniable touch of sophistication.

Adding the freshly grated garlic to the melted butter and olive oil in the same skillet after draining the blanched beans. — The intoxicating aroma of freshly grated garlic infusing into shimmering butter and olive oil, a cornerstone of this dish’s flavor.

Sautéing the green beans in the garlic and butter, seasoning with salt and pepper, after deglazing the pan with white wine for enhanced flavor. — The intoxicating aroma of freshly grated garlic infusing into shimmering butter and olive oil, a cornerstone of this dish’s flavor.

Reduce Wine and Serve: Continue to toss everything together vigorously in the pan until the white wine has completely reduced and evaporated, and the bottom of the pan is dry once more, leaving behind its concentrated, nuanced flavor. This typically takes only a couple of minutes of active tossing.
Final Touch and Presentation: Turn the perfectly sautéed green beans out onto a beautiful serving platter. Utilizing a rubber spatula, carefully scrape every last morsel of that luscious butter and garlic mixture from the pan and generously spoon it over the top of the beans. This critical final step ensures that every single bite is thoroughly infused with maximum, delectable flavor. Serve immediately while still piping hot to enjoy their optimal texture and taste.

And that’s the entirety of it! In an astonishingly short time, typically under 15 minutes from start to finish, you have effortlessly transformed humble green beans into a gourmet side dish that is guaranteed to impress. Relish the vibrant colors, the delightful tender-crisp texture, and the incredible, complex flavors of these perfectly sautéed green beans!

Close-up of Sautéed Green Beans fresh out of the skillet, glistening with butter and garlic bits, artfully arranged and ready for serving. — A tantalizing close-up of the finished sautéed green beans, showcasing their tender-crisp texture and abundant garlicky goodness, ready to be devoured.

Expert Notes & Tips for Success

Achieving true culinary perfection often hinges on paying attention to a few small yet highly significant details. Here are some invaluable expert tips and tricks to ensure your Sautéed Green Beans turn out flawlessly and deliciously every single time you prepare them:

Embrace One-Skillet Efficiency: Fully embrace and utilize the “one-skillet wonder” philosophy for this recipe. Using the exact same skillet for both the initial blanching process and the subsequent sautéing not only drastically minimizes cleanup but also keeps the entire cooking process incredibly streamlined and efficient. You genuinely only need an inch or two of water to effectively blanch the beans, which creates just enough steam to get them perfectly tender-crisp without excessive boiling.
Never Skip Salting the Blanching Water: This crucial step cannot be stressed enough! Seasoning the boiling water with a generous amount of salt is the fundamental cornerstone for developing profoundly flavorful green beans. It works by infusing the beans with salt from the inside as they cook, resulting in a taste that is far superior and more integrated than simply adding salt after the cooking process is complete. Always remember the pasta rule: you wouldn’t cook pasta in unsalted water, and the same principle holds true here for optimal flavor.
Rinse, Don’t Ice for Speed: While many recipes conventionally suggest shocking blanched vegetables in an ice water bath, for the rapid and efficient methodology of this specific recipe, a simple, thorough rinse under cold tap water is entirely sufficient. Its primary purpose is solely to immediately halt the cooking process, thereby preventing the beans from continuing to cook and becoming undesirably mushy. There is absolutely no need to fuss with preparing an ice bath, especially given that the next step, returning them to the hot pan, is only moments away.
Vigilant Garlic Monitoring is Key: It is paramount to pay extremely close attention to your garlic when it is sautéing in the pan. Garlic possesses a notorious tendency to transition from being wonderfully fragrant and beautifully golden to unpleasantly burnt and distinctly bitter in a mere matter of seconds. The precise moment you observe even the slightest hint of browning on the garlic, it is the critical signal to immediately add the blanched green beans and the white wine to the pan. This swift action effectively halts the cooking of the garlic, preserving its inherently sweet, aromatic, and delicate qualities.
Quality of Ingredients Truly Matters: Particularly for a dish as deceptively simple as this, the intrinsic quality of your ingredients will shine through prominently in the final taste. Always endeavor to use fresh, firm green beans, a good quality extra virgin olive oil, real unsalted butter, and, as previously mentioned, a dry white wine that you would genuinely enjoy drinking on its own.
Optimal Serving Temperature: These exquisite sautéed green beans are unequivocally best enjoyed immediately after they have been cooked, while they are still wonderfully warm and the flavorful garlic-butter sauce is glistening and fresh.
Limited Make-Ahead Option: While they are undeniably at their peak when served fresh, you do have the option to blanch the green beans a day in advance. Store them meticulously in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, simply proceed directly with the sautéing steps. This can conveniently shave off a few precious minutes from your overall meal preparation time.
Gentle Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the green beans in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny bit of additional butter or olive oil, or microwave them briefly until they are just warm. Exercise caution to avoid overcooking them during reheating, as this will unfortunately lead to an undesirable mushy texture.

Creative Substitutions & Variations

One of the most rewarding aspects of cooking is the ability to adapt and customize recipes to perfectly suit your individual taste preferences, dietary requirements, or simply to explore new flavor combinations. Here are some innovative ideas for customizing and varying your Sautéed Green Beans:

Dairy-Free/Vegan Option: To effortlessly transform this recipe into a completely dairy-free and vegan-friendly dish, simply omit the unsalted butter entirely. Instead, use a slightly increased amount of olive oil, or opt for a high-quality plant-based butter alternative. The resulting flavor profile will still be absolutely fantastic and deeply satisfying!
Garlic Alternatives or Enhancements: If garlic is not entirely to your liking, or if you wish to introduce additional layers of complex flavor, consider substituting finely diced shallots or thinly sliced onion in place of the garlic. Alternatively, for an even richer aromatic base, you could incorporate both fresh garlic and shallots.
Introduce a Hint of Heat: For those who appreciate a gentle warmth or a spicy kick in their dishes, a small pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the pan along with the garlic. This will impart a pleasant level of heat without overtly dominating the delicate flavors of the green beans. It’s generally advisable to avoid making the seasoning too complex, as the inherent simplicity of the core flavors is precisely what makes this recipe truly shine.
White Wine Alternatives: If you prefer to abstain from using white wine, there are several excellent alternatives that can achieve a similar depth of flavor and acidity:
- Fresh Lemon Squeeze: A generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, added at the very end of the cooking process, introduces a bright, zesty, and acidic tang that beautifully cuts through and balances the richness of the butter and garlic.
- Chicken or Vegetable Stock: A splash (approximately ¼ cup) of high-quality chicken or vegetable stock (broth) can provide a wonderful savory richness and effectively assist in deglazing the pan, adding desirable umami notes without any alcohol.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A small dash of apple cider vinegar can offer a subtle, pleasant acidity. However, it should be used sparingly and tasted carefully to avoid an overly vinegary or sharp taste.
Fresh Herb Finish: While entirely optional, a delicate sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or chives, added just before serving, can introduce a wonderfully fresh, herbaceous note and provide an appealing pop of contrasting color, enhancing the visual appeal.
Nutty Crunch for Texture: For an additional textural dimension and a delightful nutty flavor, consider tossing in a tablespoon or two of toasted slivered almonds, chopped pecans, or even pine nuts at the very end of the cooking process. This adds a satisfying crunch and an extra layer of richness.

A large serving bowl filled with Sautéed Green Beans, beautifully showcasing their vibrant green color and delicious garlic butter coating, ready to be enjoyed. — These elegantly prepared sautéed green beans are poised to be the star side dish at your next gathering or family meal.

What to Serve with Sautéed Green Beans

These incredibly versatile Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and White Wine serve as a magnificent accompaniment to an extensive array of main courses. Their bright, fresh flavor and appealing tender-crisp texture make them perfectly suitable for both relaxed, everyday weeknight dinners and more sophisticated, formal culinary occasions. Here are some diverse ideas to inspire your meal planning and help you create perfectly balanced and delicious pairings:

Roasted or Grilled Meats: They are a timeless and classic accompaniment to a perfectly roasted chicken, a expertly pan-seared steak, succulent grilled pork chops, or even a tender leg of lamb. The savory garlicky, buttery notes in the green beans exquisitely complement the inherent richness and robust flavors of these various meats.
Fish and Seafood Delights: The subtle acidity contributed by the white wine within the green beans makes them an outstanding and refreshing partner for dishes such as baked salmon, beautifully seared scallops, or a simple yet elegant grilled white fish, enhancing the delicate flavors of the seafood.
Elevated Holiday Feasts: Dare to move beyond the traditional, often heavy, green bean casserole! These elegant and vibrantly flavored green beans offer a lighter, fresher, and more contemporary option for celebratory holiday dinners such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, bringing a sophisticated touch to your table.
Complementary Pasta Dishes: Serve these green beans alongside a rich and creamy Alfredo pasta or a light and zesty lemon-garlic pasta. They provide a delightful textural contrast and an added boost of wholesome vegetables to your pasta meal.
Hearty Vegetarian Meals: These flavorful green beans can significantly elevate a simple lentil loaf, a sophisticated mushroom Wellington, or a robust and hearty grain bowl, adding freshness and depth.
Classic Potato Dishes: They are a perfect and harmonious match for creamy mashed potatoes, perfectly roasted potatoes, or a decadent potato gratin, offering a lighter, vibrant counterpoint to the starchier elements.

The Nutritional Power of Green Beans

Beyond their undeniably delicious taste and culinary versatility, green beans stand out as a genuine nutritional powerhouse. They are a low-calorie vegetable generously packed with an array of essential vitamins and minerals that collectively contribute significantly to overall health and well-being. Here’s a concise overview of some of their most notable health benefits:

Abundant in Vitamins: Green beans are an excellent and reliable source of Vitamin K, a critical nutrient that plays a pivotal role in blood clotting processes and is fundamentally important for maintaining robust bone health. They also provide a substantial amount of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant vital for bolstering immune function and promoting healthy, radiant skin, as well as Vitamin A, which is essential for optimal vision and comprehensive immune system support.
Rich Source of Dietary Fiber: Dietary fiber is an indispensable component of a healthy diet, playing a crucial role in supporting digestive health, assisting in the regulation of bowel movements, and actively helping to prevent constipation. Furthermore, fiber contributes significantly to feelings of satiety and fullness, which can be an invaluable aid in effective weight management strategies.
Potent Antioxidant Properties: Green beans naturally contain a diverse range of beneficial antioxidants, including flavonoids and carotenoids. These compounds actively work to combat harmful free radicals within the body, thereby potentially reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases over time.
Essential Mineral Content: Green beans thoughtfully offer several important minerals that are vital for various bodily functions. These include folate (which is crucial for healthy cell growth and function), iron (necessary for oxygen transport throughout the body), magnesium (important for proper muscle and nerve function), and potassium (which plays a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure regulation).
Naturally Low in Calories and Fat: As a prime example of a non-starchy vegetable, green beans are inherently low in both calories and fat, making them an exceptionally healthy and guilt-free choice that can be effortlessly incorporated into almost any dietary plan or meal.

Incorporating these incredibly flavorful Sautéed Green Beans into your regular diet is an effortlessly easy and utterly delicious way to significantly boost your nutrient intake and consistently enjoy wholesome, satisfying meals that contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

More Delicious Green Recipes to Explore

If you thoroughly enjoyed preparing and tasting these Sautéed Green Beans, we highly recommend exploring other vibrant and healthy recipes from our collection that feature various green vegetables or ingredients. Expand your culinary repertoire with these fresh and exciting options:

Southern Green Beans – A comforting, rich, and classic take on green beans, often slow-cooked with savory bacon or ham hocks for a profoundly deep and satisfying flavor profile.

Hatch Green Chili Cheeseburger – For those who crave a distinctive spicy and savory kick, this gourmet burger cleverly incorporates the unique and celebrated flavor of vibrant Hatch green chilies.

Bacon Brussels Sprouts – A perennial fan-favorite side dish that expertly combines the earthy, slightly bitter notes of tender Brussels sprouts with irresistible crispy, salty bacon pieces.

Snap Pea Salad – A wonderfully refreshing, crisp, and crunchy salad prominently featuring sweet snap peas, making it an ideal choice for light spring and summer meals.

Alfredo Broccoli Pasta – A hearty, indulgent, and creamy pasta dish that ingeniously incorporates the wholesome goodness and vibrant color of fresh broccoli florets.

Classic Caesar Salad – An iconic and universally beloved salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, grated Parmesan cheese, and a tangy, rich Caesar dressing.

Super Green Sandwich – A power-packed and nutritious sandwich bursting with an array of various nutrient-rich green ingredients, perfect for a healthy and quick lunch.

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📖 Recipe Card: Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and White Wine

Yield: 4-6 servings (about 1 pound)

Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and White Wine

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
15 minutes

Master the art of quickly preparing unbelievably flavorful Sautéed Green Beans. With just a few simple ingredients and clever techniques, you’ll create a vibrant, tender-crisp side dish infused with garlic, butter, and a hint of white wine – perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients

1 pound fresh French Green Beans (haricot verts preferred)
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
5 cloves Garlic, grated (about 1 tablespoon)
Kosher Salt, Morton’s (to taste, for blanching and sautéing)
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper (to taste)
¼ cup Dry White Wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc

Instructions

In a large skillet, fill with about 2 inches of water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the boiling water, then add the green beans. Blanch for exactly 4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Drain the blanched beans into a colander in the sink. Immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color.
Return the same skillet to the stove over medium-high heat. Ensure it is dry.
Add the olive oil and unsalted butter to the pan. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the grated garlic. Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant and just beginning to turn golden.
Add the drained green beans to the pan. Season with additional kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Continue to toss until the wine has completely reduced and the pan is dry again.
Remove from heat. Transfer the sautéed green beans to a serving platter, scraping all the garlic-butter mixture over them.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Expert Notes & Tips for Success:

One-Skillet Efficiency: Save washing by using the same skillet for blanching and sautéing. You only need 1-2 inches of water for blanching.
Salt the Water: Always season the blanching water with salt; it flavors the beans from within, making them much tastier.
Rinse with Cold Water: No need for an ice bath; a quick rinse under cold tap water is enough to stop cooking and retain vibrant color.
Watch the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly! Add beans and wine as soon as it starts to turn golden to prevent bitterness.

Creative Substitutions & Variations:

Dairy-Free/Vegan: Substitute butter with more olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
Garlic Alternatives: Use finely diced shallots or onions instead of, or in addition to, garlic for a different aromatic twist.
Add Heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle, pleasant kick.
Wine Alternatives: If omitting wine, use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a splash of chicken or vegetable stock, or a tiny dash of apple cider vinegar for acidity and richness.
Fresh Herbs: Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives for added freshness and color.
Nutty Crunch: For extra texture and flavor, toss in toasted slivered almonds or chopped pecans at the very end.

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Crisp Sautéed Green Beans