Easy Sautéed Green Beans with Coconut and Garlic

easy recipesvegetarianquick recipessides & startersvegangluten-free

Jan 31

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If you need the best green bean side dish for busy nights or to complete a holiday meal, then these **Easy Sautéed Coconut Green Beans** will check all the boxes! You’ll love the toasted coconut flakes and garlic for plenty of flavour to liven up your green beans!

These easy sautéed green beans with coconut and garlic have got you covered to be a quick and versatile side dish for any dinner! You only need five ingredients for these garlic and coconuts sautéed green beans and about 10 minutes to whip up the best green beans you’ve ever made on a pan!

As we are ending the first month of 2025 right now, and I hope that you’re still motivated to keep your New Year’s resolutions, if you’ve had them! However, if you’ve had a goal to cook more from home and you haven’t been hitting that goal, let me tell you that it’s never too late to start! As I mention in my free motivational guide to explore your potential in the kitchen, Making Cooking Fun!!, having realistic expectations is key to ensure that you do not become DEMOTIVATED. If you’re someone who is new to cooking or you’ve been indulging in eating out for some time from the holidays or a vacation, and you’re still not in the groove of cooking your own meals, then starting small will really go a long way, and these sautéed green beans with garlic and coconut flakes is a perfect way to get started! Bonus tip is that you could prepare your own side dish, such as these sautéed green beans, with a takeout meal - I’ve done it myself, and it’s super fun to mix and match!

To see step by step how you can prepare the best sautéed green beans ever, then be sure to watch the video at the bottom of this post! It would mean a lot to me if you could please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you’re not already, and be sure to press the bell button so you’re notified when all of my video recipes are live! Let’s get sautéing!

Why You’ll Love this Sautéed Green Beans Recipe!

Easy and fast to make: The prep time is pretty much instantaneous and the green beans cook super quickly!
5 simple ingredients: You’re likely to already have everything in your fridge and pantry!
Versatile ways to serve: Check out plenty of ideas later on in this post to see how Coconut Green Beans can be part of a perfect healthy and satisfying meal with tons of variety!
Make-ahead friendly: You can make your Sautéed Coconut Green Beans in advance and have them over the course of a couple of days. Read on below on how to store and reheat them!

Dietary Considerations for Sautéed Green Beans

These Easy Sautéed Coconut Green Beans are…

Vegetarian and vegan
High in fibre
Low calorie
Budget-friendly
Gluten-free

Does It Make a Difference Using Fresh Green Beans Versus Frozen?

The best part about using frozen green beans would be significantly less prep time besides microwaving the beans - most varieties of frozen beans are ready to use. For fresh beans however, they will likely need to be trimmed and cleaned before using. On the other hand, flavour and texture wise fresh green beans will be able to provide a more pronounced flavour and a tender-crisp texture that will be impossible with frozen beans. Freezing produce damages the fibres which helps beans stay crisp.

Can Whole Coconut or Frozen Coconut Be used for Sautéed Green Beans?

Either variety will work well, depending on the amount of time you have on hand, using pre-grated coconut flakes may be most efficient. If using the whole or frozen variety, make sure to grate the coconut before garnishing the green beans.

Can I Sauté The Coconut Green beans with Butter?

Yes, technically you could and these Coconut Green Beans would be just as delicious! However, unless you are using a plant-based butter, then these Sautéed Coconut Green Beans would no longer be vegan.

How Long Do You Cook Green Beans On the STove?

If using fresh green beans without blanching, cook for 5-7 minutes on the stove while stirring occasionally. Add the other ingredients with 2 minutes are remaining in cooking time. The final dish should have a slightly firm and crunchy texture.

If blanching fresh green beans, boil the trimmed and cleaned green beans for 1-2 minutes before adding them in a bowl of ice cold water. Then cook for a further 2-3 minutes on the stovetop with the other ingredients or until you get a tender-crisp texture.

For frozen green beans, cook for about 5 minutes as advised in the recipe.

Do I Need To Blanch Green Beans for Sautéed Green Beans?

Blanching green beans can be a great way to prepare fresh green beans if you are looking to achieve a tender-crisp texture. While blanching is not required for this recipe, it can help achieve a more vibrant colour as well.

Tools needed for for Sautéed Green Beans

Ingredients for Pickled Vegetables

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD to see all recipe ingredients and their quantities, or press the “Jump to Recipe” button. You can also use the recipe card to save the recipe for later and to scale the recipe based on how many green beans you’re cooking so that there is the perfect coconut to green bean ratio!

Green beans: You can use either fresh or frozen green beans. I recommend you use the thin and long green beans, also known as French green beans or “haricots verts” in French.
Coconut flakes: Ensure that you’re using unsweetened coconut flakes!
Olive oil: For sautéing. I always like to use extra virgin olive oil. You can use another oil of your choice if you would like, such as coconut oil or avocado oil.
Garlic cloves: If you don’t have fresh garlic cloves for some reason, then you could add garlic powder, but the flavour won’t be the same as freshly minced garlic cloves.
Salt and pepper: Key seasonings that are added to taste!

How to Make Easy Sautéed Coconut Green Beans

Microwave the green beans (if frozen) or trim and rinse fresh green beans. Pat with kitchen towels to dry and excess moisture.

Heat a pan on medium heat, add olive oil, once hot add the green beans. Stir well to coat with oil and then season with salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for 30 seconds.

Add minced garlic cloves and coconut flakes, mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes while mixing occasionally until the beans are tender-crisp (if using fresh beans) and the garlic and coconut flakes have browned slightly.

Serve fresh!

Tips for Super Flavourful Coconut Green Beans

Make use of fresh green beans to get the most pronounced flavour and freshness.
Avoid over-cooking the fresh beans (if using) to keep the beans tender-crisp for added perceived freshness and satisfying texture.
Taking the extra time to allow the coconut flakes and garlic to brown slightly will help significantly elevate the flavours.
Serve topped with fresh lime juice for an added zest.

Variations of Sautéed Coconut Green Beans

Heat: Simply add in a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, if desired!
Herbs: You can add in freshly chopped herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or sage.
Umami: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar.
Citrus: A touch of freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice will give a refreshing feeling to your green beans!
Asian: Sauté the green beans, coconut flakes and garlic with sesame oil or peanut oil. You could also add in some white sesame seeds and a splash of soy sauce.
Crunch: You can also toast some almonds or peanuts.
Cheese: Sprinkle in some freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano for a simple extra touch!

How to serve coconut green beans

For the holidays: Make these green beans special with Tourtière Turnovers, No-Fail Roast Chicken, or Beef Bourguignon.
To complement protein: Pair your Sautéed Coconut Green Beans with seafood, such as Red Pepper Pesto Baked Salmon, Lemon and Herb Baked Salmon, or Tandoori Shrimp Skewers. It would be incredible with beef, such as Oven Pot Roast or Chipotle-Glazed Mini Meatloaves. Of course, you can’t go wrong with green beans alongside your poultry, such as Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Dinner, Italian-Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts, Lemon and Thyme Chicken Schnitzel, or Garlic and Thyme Pan-Fried Chicken Breasts.
Vegetarian dinner: Pair with potatoes, such as Easy Butter & Garlic-Herb Sautéed Baby Potatoes, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes or Mashed Sweet Potatoes; soups and stews including Super Simple Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup or Vegan Minestrone Soup; pasta, such as Easy Family-Style Baked Spaghetti Casserole or Creamy Mushroom Pasta with Vegetables; or even Indian dishes, such as Rajma Masala, Punjabi Baingan Bharta, Punjabi Lobia, or Paneer Bhurji.

How to Store Coconut Green Beans

You can transfer the Coconut Green Beans into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for about four to five days due to the garlic in here. To reheat, simply place in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds, or until entirely warmed through.

Other Quick Vegetable Side Dishes

WATCH HOW TO MAKE Easy Sautéed COconut Green Beans HERE:

Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!

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sides & starters, vegetarian, vegan

American

Yield: 2

Author: Anadi

Easy Sautéed Coconut Green Beans

If you need the best green bean side dish for busy nights or to complete a holiday meal, then these Easy Sautéed Coconut Green Beans will check all the boxes! You’ll love the toasted coconut flakes and garlic for plenty of flavour to liven up your green beans!

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 15 Min

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil
2 Cups green beans (thawed if frozen)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp coconut flakes
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Microwave the green beans (if frozen) or trim and rinse fresh green beans. Pat with kitchen towels to dry and excess moisture.
Heat a pan on medium heat, add olive oil, once hot add the green beans. Stir well to coat with oil and then season with salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for 30 seconds.
Add minced garlic cloves and coconut flakes, mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes while mixing occasionally until the beans are tender-crisp (if using fresh beans) and the garlic and coconut flakes have browned slightly.
Serve fresh!