Blistered Green Beans

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Blistered Green Beans are smoky, garlicky, and peppery. This flavorful side dish is one of the quickest ways to prepare fresh green beans. As the veggie blister over high heat, they take on a subtle char flavor that balances their natural sweetness. Then, toss them in garlic, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes for a savory, slightly spicy, and super easy side dish that goes with anything!

Blistered Green Beans are smoky, garlicky, and peppery. This flavorful side dish is one of the quickest ways to prepare fresh green beans. | aheadofthyme.com

Green beans are such a versatile veggie. During the summer, we almost always have green beans on hand. During the fall, they make for the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. They're so light and fresh with a nice, crisp bite. Although we often like to saute them or add them to stir-fries, blistering is my all-time favorite method. There's truly nothing faster, and the bold flavors in the seasoning wakes up any main dish.

Why You'll Love These Blistered Green Beans

Quick and easy. Blistering is similar to grilling, as you cook the beans very quickly over high heat. They only take about 3-4 minutes in the hot pan, making them an ideal last minute side dish for a busy night!
Crisp, fresh texture. Green beans have a crisp texture and characteristic crunch that disappears if you cook them too long. Since this recipe cooks the beans so quickly, you preserve that texture and bright flavor without dealing with mushy, soggy beans.
Dress up or down. This is a super simple recipe you can make any night of the week, yet it's fancy enough to serve at your next dinner party. The spicy, savory flavor is the perfect counterpoint to rich, roasted meats and elevates any meal.

Ingredient Notes

To make these delicious Blistered Green Beans, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

green beans - these should be washed well, then trim off the ends. If you're using string beans, be sure to remove the string before cooking. You may also see these called French green beans or runner beans, depending on where you live.
butter - for a rich, buttery flavor. If you have issues with the butter browning, try using a little olive oil instead.
fresh garlic cloves - finely minced.
soy sauce - for a salty umami flavor. Any soy sauce will do, including wheat-free tamari or liquid aminos.
seasonings - add red chili flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper for a little heat and flavor.

You will also need measuring spoons, a large skillet (stainless steel or cast iron) and tongs.

How to Make the Best Blistered Green Beans

Melt butter. In a large stainless pan or cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat until bubbly, about 1 minute.
Blister the green beans. Add green beans and toss well to coat in the melted butter. Allow the green beans to cook (no need to stir) and blister on both sides, about 2 minutes on each side. The green beans should look slightly charred. (Optionally, you can blister the green beans by broiling in the oven on HI until slightly charred, about 1 minute).

Season. Add garlic, soy sauce, and chili flakes. Mix well to season the green beans. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

Recipe Variations

Try other beans. Any green beans can be prepared in this way, from yellow wax beans to tender haricot verts and beyond. Just watch the cooking time, as thinner beans will cook even faster.
Season however you'd like. For this blistered green beans recipe, you toss the blistered beans with soy sauce, garlic, and chili flakes, but that's just one option. They're great with just salt and pepper, although I also love them with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Feel free to try your favorite seasoning salt instead.
Play with garnishes. These tender, crispy green beans need nothing extra, but sometimes I like to serve them with extra crunch. Sprinkle sliced almonds, chopped pistachios, or crispy fried shallots.

How to Serve

These Blistered Green Beans are a delicious side dish paired with a main course meal on a weeknight dinner or holiday meal. Some of my favorite entrees to serve with this are:

For more recipe ideas, see our 40 Best Thanksgiving Main Dishes.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Watch the butter. Butter browns quickly at high temperatures. Just let it melt and bubble over medium high heat for one minute, then add the beans. This minimizes issues with the butter burning and gives the green beans a subtle richness that keeps them tender.
Don't crowd the pan. For the best browning, the beans need room to touch the bottom of the pan. If you add too many beans at once, they'll start to steam from the heat instead of blister.
Add the garlic last. It's tempting to gloss over the recipe quickly and add the garlic first, but it will burn from the heat of the butter. Add the garlic at the end. It will cook just enough from the residual heat of the green beans and add a bold pop of garlicky goodness.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Blistered green beans taste best fresh from the skillet. If you have too much leftover, let them cool to room temperature then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

Microwave the green beans for 1-2 minutes or warm them in a hot skillet over medium low heat. Once reheated, the green beans will be slightly softer than they were when freshly cooked.

FAQ

What are blistered green beans?

Blistering refers to the way the outside of the green beans bubbles and browns from the high heat of the hot skillet. It's a specific cooking technique that tends to be quick and fast, which locks in flavor and adds a subtle char that brings out the sweetness of the fresh green beans.

Which types of beans are best for blistering?

You can prepare any fresh-eating green bean using this method. You can use regular green beans (like Blue Lake or Jade green beans from the farmers market), yellow wax beans, colorful Dragon's Tongue or purple beans, Chinese long beans, or thin, skinny haricots verts. The cook time will vary slightly depending on the size of the beans, so keep a close eye and be careful not to overcook.

Can you blister beans in a non-stick skillet?

Technically, yes, but you get the best blister effect from a hot cast iron or stainless steel pan.

More Green Bean Recipes

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