Garlic Butter Green Beans Pickle (Print)

Sautéed green beans in garlic butter, topped with tangy pickles for vibrant flavor and satisfying texture.

# Components:

→ Produce

01 - 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Dairy

04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Pickles

05 - 1/3 cup dill pickles, finely diced
06 - 2 tablespoons pickle brine

→ Seasonings

07 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and blanch for 2 to 3 minutes until they achieve a vibrant green hue and are tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the blanched beans to an ice bath to halt the cooking process. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with clean towels.
02 - In a large skillet set over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring it does not brown.
03 - Introduce the blanched green beans to the skillet with the garlic butter. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the beans are heated through and well coated. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
04 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the finely diced dill pickles and pickle brine, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the green beans.
05 - Transfer the garlic butter green beans to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh dill or parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
  • The unexpected pickle addition creates a flavor explosion
  • Versatile enough for weeknights but impressive enough for holidays
02 -
  • Perfect for meal prep as the flavors actually improve after a few hours
  • Contains just 95 calories per serving while delivering incredible flavor
  • The pickle brine acts as a natural salt alternative reducing the need for added sodium
03 -
  • The blanching time is critical for perfect texture. Test a bean at exactly 2 minutes if it bends slightly without snapping, it's ready for the ice bath.
  • When selecting pickles, look for refrigerated varieties rather than shelf-stable ones. They typically have better crunch and more vibrant flavor.
  • For special occasions, brown the butter slightly before adding the garlic. This creates a nutty depth that elevates the entire dish to restaurant quality.

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