Skillet Green Beans and Tomatoes – An Easy, Healthy & Delicious Side Dish Recipe

Green beans and cherry tomatoes when cooked together in a skillet create an easy, delicious and healthy side dish recipe that pairs well with chicken, pork, beef, fish and lamb. Whether you are looking for a healthy recipe to start the new year or trying to find a way to use the abundance of green beans and cherry tomatoes from the garden, you will find yourself making this recipe over and over again.

Fresh green beans are cooked just until tender, yet they still remain slightly crispy. Then they are tossed with cherry tomato halves that have been warmed in a sweet and salty garlic butter sauce infused with strips of basil.

The sweetness of the tomatoes naturally compliments the savory earthy flavor of the green beans. But what makes this dish really stand out is the sauce that they are tossed with.

Melted butter makes up the base of the sauce. Then add in a little garlic salt, granulated white sugar for sweetness, and strips of basil, and the flavor of your dish just got elevated to the next level.

Now you have to decide if you are going to serve it as is, or if you are going to top the dish with even more flavor. Shaved Parmesan cheese, chopped walnuts and bacon bits are all great additions that not only add visual appeal but another layer of taste and texture.

In fact, this dish is so good that you can even serve it as the meal itself!

Fresh Green Beans vs. Frozen vs. Canned Green Beans

Although this recipe calls for fresh green beans, you can use canned or frozen green beans as well. However, the texture and flavor will be different depending on which one you choose to use.

1. Fresh Green Beans:

• Texture and Flavor: Fresh green beans offer a crisp and firm texture with a vibrant, earthy flavor. They also provide a satisfying crunch to the dish.

2. Canned Green Beans:

• Texture and Flavor: Canned green beans are softer than fresh ones, and they may have a slightly different taste due to the canning process. They are convenient but lack the crispness of fresh green beans and often contain more sodium.

3. Frozen Green Beans:

• Texture and Flavor: Frozen green beans typically retain more of their texture compared to canned ones, but they may still be softer than fresh. However, the flash freezing process helps preserve the color and flavor reasonably well.

What Tomato Varieties To Use For Skillet Green Beans

Depending on the variety of tomatoes that you use your dish will take on a slightly different flavor. Here are some common varieties to choose from:

Sweet 100: These are small, round cherry tomatoes known for their sweet flavor. They will add a burst of sweetness to your green bean dish.

Sun Gold: These small, orange cherry tomatoes are incredibly sweet and have a slightly fruity flavor. They will add a vibrant color to your dish.

Cherry Belle: These classic red cherry tomatoes are small yet flavorful. When using this variety of cherry tomato it will add that traditional tomato taste to your dish.

Black Cherry: Black cherry tomatoes are known for their rich, sweet, and complex flavor profile. They also have a slightly smoky taste that pairs well with the green beans.

Yellow Pear: If you want to add a touch of color and a slightly milder flavor, consider using yellow pear tomatoes. They are small, pear-shaped, and have a sweet taste.

Grape Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are oblong-shaped and come in red or yellow varieties. They are sweet and juicy, making them a great addition to green beans.

*It is important to note that if you choose a very sweet variety of tomato to use in your Green Bean and Tomato recipe then you should decrease the amount of sugar included in the sauce.

Common Recipe Substitutions

(Skillet Green Beans and Tomatoes)

Garlic Salt Substitute – No worries if you don’t have garlic salt. Instead of garlic salt substitute a mixture of garlic powder and Kosher salt.

Fresh Garlic – You can never go wrong with adding fresh garlic to the mixture. Mince a garlic clove and toss it in with the tomatoes.

Butter Substitute – Many people prefer to cook with oil instead of butter and that will work in this recipe. You can also substitute plant based butter for those who prefer the taste but want a dairy free option.

Add Bacon – Instead of butter or oil, fry up a couple pieces of bacon and toss the green beans and tomatoes in the residual grease. Then add the bacon crumbles back into the pan for a delicious addition!

Sugar Options – Depending on the variety of tomato that you choose you may not need to add any sugar at all. However, if you like sweet foods, sprinkle a little sugar in the skillet to enhance the flavors of the green beans and tomatoes. Feel free to use your favorite sugar-free substitute as well.

Various Toppings (optional)

1. Nuts:
   • Toasted Almonds or Walnuts: Adds crunch and a nutty flavor.
   • Pine Nuts: These small seeds add a delicate and slightly sweet taste.
2. Cheese:
   • Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a creamy and tangy element.
   • Parmesan or Pecorino: Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese adds a savory kick.
3. Citrus Zest:
   • Lemon or Orange Zest: Grated citrus zest can brighten up the dish with a burst of freshness.
4. Balsamic Glaze or Reduction:
   • A drizzle of balsamic glaze or reduction can add a sweet and tangy flavor.
5. Cracked Black Pepper:
   • Freshly cracked black pepper adds a bit of heat and crunch.
6. Chili Flakes:
   • For even more heat sprinkle some red chili flakes over the dish.

Skillet Green Beans and Tomatoes Side Dish Recipe

* Complete recipe instructions including specific measurements, cook temperatures and times are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to read the entire article for helpful tips and tricks when making this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1⁄2 lbs. fresh green beans
• 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted
• 3⁄4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon basil
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1⁄2 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half

INSTRUCTIONS

Snap off the stems of the green beans by hand or cut and remove the ends with a knife.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add the green beans to the water and boil for about 4-5 minutes, or until crisp tender. Begin checking on them after 3 minutes so that they do not overcook.

Drain the green beans in a colander in the sink. Set aside.

Then in a large skillet, melt the butter and add the garlic salt, sugar, basil, salt and pepper.

Add the cherry tomato halves to the skillet and stir until they are barely soft and heated, but not mushy.

Add the drained beans and toss to mix. Continue to heat just until the green beans are warm.

Remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately with additional salt and pepper and toppings as desired.

ENJOY!

Do you have an abundance of cherry tomatoes and are looking for ways to use them? Then be sure to check out some other creative ways to use them: How To Use A Big Harvest Of Cherry Tomatoes.

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