Easy Skillet Green Beans {The Best Fresh Green Beans Of Your Life}

This recipe for easy skillet green beans makes the best fresh green bean side dish ever. Flavorful and fast!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have made this recipe 3 or 4 times now, with no changes! It is delicious. My husband says it is the best way I have ever made fresh green beans. -Marylin

A Few Notes About Ingredients

Take a look through these ingredients notes for tips on the best kind of green beans to use, as well as a few other helpful details:

• Olive oil: Heat olive oil (or a bit of butter) in the skillet to start. Add the green beans and let them sizzle a bit before adding the broth. This adds a nice flavor and slightly blistery texture to the green beans, but you can skip this step and simply add the green beans and broth to the skillet to start simmering right away.
• Salt: Add salt while the green beans cook for better flavor and texture. Be sure to still taste the green beans at the end, and add additional salt, if needed!
• Green beans: French green beans or standard green beans will work in this recipe. I prefer French green beans for their thinner shape and more tender texture. If using frozen green beans, don’t thaw before using in the recipe, and add 1 to 2 minutes to the cooking time. 
• Broth: Chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water can be used.

These skillet green beans are best served right away. They can be kept warm for 10 to 20 minutes, but any longer and they will lose a bit of their bright green color and crisp-tender texture.

The Best Green Beans Ever

This is the vegetable side dish we make more than any other! These skillet green beans are tender and flavorful, and the recipe can be made in less than 15 minutes. That’s a huge win in my book!

You can get fancy and sprinkle fresh lemon zest or grated Parmesan over the cooked green beans. But they are equally delicious served as-is right out of the skillet.

These green beans are a perfect side dish for everything from enchiladas to air fryer pork to meatballs!

Easy Skillet Green Beans

Yield: 4 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 12 minutes mins

Total Time: 17 minutes mins

4.74 stars (98 ratings)

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Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon oil or butter
• 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed, if needed
• ¾ cup chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions 

• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. Add the green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, to crisp up the edges of the beans just slightly.
• Add the broth and salt. Toss to combine.
• Bring to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook 6 to 10 minutes, depending on desired tenderness.
• Remove from the heat. Season with additional salt, if needed. Optional: sprinkle lemon zest or Parmesan cheese over cooked green beans.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

Beans: The beans can be cut into 1- or 2-inch lengths or left whole. Frozen green beans work fine in this recipe if fresh aren’t available. Add a minute or so to the cooking time if using frozen green beans (don’t thaw before adding to the skillet). 

Author: Mel

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Method: Stovetop

Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 51kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 20mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g

Recommended Products

12-Inch Nonstick Skillet

Liquid Measuring Cup

Wooden Spoon

Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Recipe originally published July 2014; updated March 2026 with new photos, recipe notes, etc.

Other Vegetable Sides:

Fresh Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Skillet Zucchini and Yellow Squash {My Fave Summer Side}

5-Minute Skillet Broccoli {Three Ways!}

Curried Cauliflower “Popcorn”