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–+ servings
A bowl of vibrant 5-Ingredient Thanksgiving Green Beans topped with breadcrumbs and herbs.

5-Ingredient Thanksgiving Green Beans (No Fail)

This simple recipe for 5-Ingredient Thanksgiving Green Beans is a foolproof way to add a fresh and delicious side dish to your holiday meal. It requires minimal ingredients and effort, making your Thanksgiving prep stress-free.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish, Thanksgiving
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound green beans stem ends trimmed
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup water or stock
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed but not peeled
  • Kosher salt or flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • to taste Parmesan freshly grated, optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet

Method
 

  1. Combine the green beans, butter, water, and garlic cloves in a large skillet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Cover the skillet, place over medium-high heat, and bring to a simmer. Immediately turn the heat to low once the water is simmering.
  3. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender but not mushy. Uncover and toss the beans in their sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  4. Transfer the beans to a serving dish. Shave Parmesan over the top if desired, and add more freshly ground black pepper.

Notes

This recipe is designed for simplicity and speed, perfect for busy holiday cooking. The crushed garlic cloves infuse flavor without burning.

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