• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Bake It Paleo

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Wellness
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

Simple Pan Cooked Green Beans

Jun 25, 2019 · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

I don't know if it's just because I'm pregnant or what...but I've been loving green beans!  I knew creating a recipe was a must.  As, not all green bean dishes are created equal.  You NEED to cook them properly to get the right taste and texture.  Or, at least that's my take.  So, these Simple, Pan Cooked Green Beans are my idea of the perfect Paleo green bean recipe.

These Pan Cooked Green Beans take less than 20 minutes to cook and require only 4 simple ingredients.  (The sesame seeds and crushed hazelnuts are optional.)  They don't contain any added sugar and are Paleo, Vegan and Whole 30 approved!  They can also be made allergy free if you don't add the hazelnuts.  Basically, they check all the boxes for a nutritious, delicious and satisfying side dish.

simple Paleo green beans on the stovetop

Green Bean Nutrition Facts

Green beans contain many nutrients and are one of the highest antioxidant containing foods.  They have a decent amount of vitamin C, K and A, as well as, manganese and folate. (1)

In addition, they're one of the few vegetables that don't lose their nutritional benefits when frozen.

Vegan green beans made in a skillet

When are Green Beans In Season?

Although they can be found year round, they are in season from summer to early fall.  During these months, green beans will be the freshest and taste the best.

This is probably why canned green beans are so popular during the winter months.  Especially in classic Thanksgiving dishes like green bean casserole.  Which, honestly, always grossed me out as a kid.  Anyone else?

Fun fact, I've actually grown green beans in my own backyard.  The first year they did great!  We had so many to harvest throughout the summer months and they tasted wonderful!  The next year, however, they got infested with bugs and I couldn't get myself to eat them.

This year, we aren't growing our own green beans.  Which, come to think of it, may have been a mistake!  I mean, as much as I love them now I probably should have planted a few.  But, our yard space is limited and we chose to plant other vegetables instead.

green bean recipe with no added sugar

How to Prepare Green Beans

The easiest way to prepare green beans is to purchase a bag of already rinsed and cut green beans.  Thankfully, most grocery stores carry these.  My favorite brand of prepared green beans is from Whole Foods.  I usually buy their 12 oz organic trimmed green beans.

But, if you aren't buying green beans that are ready to eat, then I have a few simple steps to follow.

  1. Wash - First, wash the green beans in a large bowl of luke-warm water.  Simply place your green beans in the bowl and add water until they are fully submerged.  Additionally, you may add 1-2 Tbsp white vinegar.  This offers a little extra cleanliness and helps kill any mold.
  2. Drain - After submerging your green beans in water for 10-20 minutes, drain the water and rinse them for a minute or two.  This helps wash away any dirt (and vinegar if you used it).
  3. Dry - Place the green beans on a towel and pat dry.
  4. Trim - Lastly, trim both ends of each green bean.  To do this, either use a knife or scissors.  You can cut them individually or multiple stalks at a time.  Furthermore, toss any green beans that look wilted, have a lot of discoloring or holes from bugs.

Whole 30 one pan green beans

How to Cook Green Beans on a Frying Pan

After prepping green beans (if you need to), they are ready to cook!

First, gather all necessary ingredients.  For this recipe, I use water, olive oil, salt, crushed hazelnuts, sesame seeds and of course, green beans.

Whole 30 sauteed green beans

Next, place the green beans in a medium-sized frying pan.  Add water. 

how to steam green beansThen, cook (covered) on medium-high heat for 8 minutes.  The green beans should be tender and not rubbery at this point.  If this isn't the case, then cook them a few minutes longer until tender.

Next, remove the lid and add oil and salt.  Mix the green beans with tongs or a wooden spoon or even fork.  Cook an additional 8-10 minutes (uncovered) on medium heat.  Stir every couple minutes.

Simple allergy free side dish

Lastly, remove the green beans from the frying pan and top with crushed hazelnuts and sesame seeds.  Serve immediately.

The BEST Paleo Green Beans with Hazelnuts

What to Serve with Pan Cooked Green Beans

Green beans are a great side dish to many meals.  They go well with meat, fish, eggs, topped on a salad, or even alongside a bowl of noodles.

A few main dishes I like to pair with green beans include:

  • Honey & Basil Flax Crusted Chicken Tenders
  • Cabbage Stuffed Burgers
  • Pasture Raised Beef Brisket

Paleo Meal with pan cooked green beans

How Long will Cooked Green Beans Last

Cooked green beans can be kept at room temperature for quite some time.  In fact, they'll be good for hours.  But to be safe, I recommend storing them in the fridge at least two hours after cooking.

In the fridge, cooked green beans will last well all week.  Before serving, they're best re-heated on a frying pan.  You shouldn't need to add more oil or seasoning.  Just heat on a skillet for 5-10 minutes on medium-low heat and eat!  If you want an easier option, you could always warm them up in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or eat them cold.

Simple, Paleo Pan Cooked Green Beans

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Simple, Pan Cooked Green Beans

  • Author: Katie
  • Prep Time: 0 min
  • Cook Time: 18 min
  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 12 oz cooked green beans 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

These pan cooked green beans are perfect for a healthy, quick weeknight side dish.  They cook in less than 20 minutes and use just 6 simple ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz bag trimmed green beans*
  • 3 Tbsp water
  • ½ Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp chopped hazelnuts (optional)
  • ½ tsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place green beans in a medium sized frying pan.
  2. Add water, cover pan and cook on medium-high heat for 8 minutes**
  3. Remove lid from pan, add olive oil and salt.  Mix to coat the green beans.
  4. Cook (uncovered) for an additional 8-10 minutes on medium heat, stirring every couple minutes.
  5. Remove green beans from pan and top with hazelnuts and sesame seeds.
  6. Serve immediately.

Notes

*To make life easy, I suggest using a 12 oz bag of trimmed green beans.  However, buying green beans in bulk (or untrimmed) works too.  Just be sure to wash and cut the ends of the green beans prior to cooking.

**After this step, green beans should be tender, not rubbery.  If this isn't the case, then continue cooking until tender.

Keywords: green beans, vegetables, side dish, Paleo, Vegan, Whole 30, no added sugar, egg free

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @bakeit.paleo on Instagram and hashtag it #bakeitpaleo

« Easy, No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
Plantain Fries Recipe (Paleo, Vegan, Whole30) »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Hi there! I’m Katie and I have a passion for baking healthy treats using real, Paleo-friendly ingredients. My mission is to make baking nutritious, delicious, simple and family friendly; because you CAN eat dessert every day and still live a healthy life!

More about me →

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up for my mailing list to get early access to discounts, new recipes and more!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

CEREAL

Lovebird grain free cereal: paleo, vegan and AIP

Cereal is typically anything but healthy... not Lovebird! It's all organic, paleo, plant based AND low in sugar. My kids love it too!

POPULAR

  • Vanilla Almond Flour Cupcakes (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
  • Whole30 Turkey Burgers (No Egg)
  • Pistachio Truffles (Paleo, Vegan, Keto)
  • Paleo Tigernut Flour Bread (Grain Free, Dairy Free)

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Recipes

  • Paleo
  • Vegan
  • Whole30
  • Nut Free

Search

  • link to Instagram account
  • link to pinterest account
  • link to facebook

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme