Green beans are the perfect side dish. These crunchy, healthy green babies are so good when you know what to do with them! Just add a few simple ingredients such as butter, garlic and parmesan and these little garlic parmesan green beans will be a family favorite.
Green beans themselves aren’t that exciting, it’s first when you add flavorings that they become the star they ought to be. The same can be said about brussels sprouts, they are so boring when boiled but roasted honey balsamic brussels sprouts are actually one of my definite favorite Winter side dishes.
These super easy garlic parmesan green beans are part of my Thanksgiving for Two series. I am ALL about making a ton of side dishes on Thanksgiving, as I love variety on my plate. That also means you will probably have leftovers.
But I wouldn’t worry too much about the leftovers because I’ve also got a post on what to make with the Thanksgiving leftovers! If you are like me and hate leftovers, you are so in the right place. All my Thanksgiving leftovers ended up in 7 completely new recipes, so you wouldn’t even think of them as leftovers.
You are welcome.
The Health Benefits: Green Beans Nutrition
I am not going to sell this recipe as super healthy because of the butter and parmesan (but I am going to sell it as DELICIOUS). But anyway, I don’t think it’s too bad because the health benefits of green beans are actually pretty good. Let’s summarize:
- good source of vitamin A, C, K, B6 and folic acid
- contain minerals such as calcium, silicon, iron, manganese, copper and potassium
- low in calories and fat and contain no cholesterol
- may help reduce heart disease due to their high levels of flavonoids
- high fiber content can positively impact the digestive system
- can help control diabetes
- the antioxidants in green beans can boost immunity
- improve eye and bone health
- green beans are low FOODMAP which is great for people with IBS
You can read more about all of this on Organic Facts. As you can see, there are a whole bunch of reasons why you should include some green beans on your plate, even a Thanksgiving plate! And we are going to make them utterly delicious with just a few ingredients.
Other Thanksgiving Side Dishes
I do believe a massive Thanksgiving dinner require several side dishes, and I’d like to tell you what was on my plate last year:
- Citrus Rosemary Turkey (well ok, this is the main element)
- Super Easy Turkey Gravy
- Orange Cranberry Sauce
- Honey Balsamic Baked Brussels Sprouts
- Apple, Sage and Caramelized Onion Stuffing
- Cheddar Herb Sweet Potato Mash
- … and these Garlic Parmesan Green Beans!
All the ones that are not linked are nestled together in the fabulous Thanksgiving for Two blog post. And let me just tell you that this blog post also includes a bunch of free planners and even an oven schedule to make this feast as easily as possible.
And I am NOT saying that these green beans are only reserved for Thanksgiving, they are fantastic any time of the year. This is just one of the ways I’m serving them and Thanksgiving is what I associate them with. Eat them when you have them, they are great with any kind of meat and sauce and potatoes!
Super Easy Garlic Parmesan Green Beans Recipe
This recipe is adapted from A Sweet Pea Chef.
Chop the edges of the green beans off, discard the edges. Steam the green beans, using a steam basket over a deep pot with a few cm/inch of boiling water. Cover with a lid and steam for around 6 minutes. Tender, but not done. OR you can boil them for 5 minutes, until they start to soften, if you don’t have a steam basket.
Heat butter in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and stir for one minute, until fragrant. Add the green beans, salt and pepper and stir to coat evenly. Sauté for about 5 minutes, while stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
Sprinkle with the parmesan and toss to melt the cheese.
And there you have it! Perfect side dish to any meal, even a grand Thanksgiving dinner.
Did you like this recipe? You’ll love these too:
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- Homemade Dinner Rolls with Cheese and Bacon
- Creamy Parmesan Pumpkin Pasta
- Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Apple Puffs
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Super Easy Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Ingredients
- 7 oz green beans 200g
- 2 tsp butter
- 1 clove garlic large, minced
- 1/2 tsp sea salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preparations: Chop the edges of the green beans off, discard the edges. Mince garlic and grate parmesan cheese.
- Steam or boil: Steam the green beans, using a steam basket over a deep pot with a few cm/inch of boiling water. Cover with a lid and steam for around 6 minutes. Tender, but not done. OR you can boil them for 5 minutes, until they start to soften, if you don’t have a steam basket.
- Sautée: Heat butter in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and stir for one minute, until fragrant. Add the green beans, salt and pepper and stir to coat evenly. Sautée for about 5 minutes, while stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Cheese it up: Sprinkle with the parmesan and toss to melt the cheese.
Notes

So often, simple is best and these green beans are proof. They are a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, or any day. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Colleen.
Green Beans are one of my favorite veggies. And, no lie, I just made a batch tonight, however, they didn’t look as good as yours do.
Thank you so much. I don’t eat enough green beans!
Parmesan seems to make absolutely anything taste amazing. I can’t get enough of the stuff. Bet it tastes great with these beans.
Parmesan is always a winning ingredient!
Green beans are my favourite. I have lots in the freezer from this year’s crop, so will keep this recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
That sounds amazing! I wish I had homegrown green beans as well.
I love green bean side dishes and the garlic parmesan sounds awesome. Definitely need to try!
Thank you so much, Erika!
Green beans are one of the best side dishes at Thanksgiving and I love this garlic parmesan version!
Thank you so much, Emily!
We love green beans around the holidays. I never thought to add Parmesan, this looks delicious.
Thank you so much. So do we!
A must have side dish for Thanksgiving. I like the simplicity of the recipe. The cheese is a bonus. Will add to my list.
Thank you so much, Mirlene.
These garlic and parmesan green beans were magnificent – the perfect side to our roast chichen we have had the other night – wonderful recipe and inspiration. Thanks for sharing 😉
Thank you so much, Ramona. I’m glad you liked it!
I love how simple these green beans are but they pack such amazing flavors! These will be perfect served as a Thanksgiving side this year!
Thank you so much, Jenni. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!