Sautéed Green Beans Recipe with Apple Cider

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In this sautéed green beans recipe, green beans are blanched, then sautéed in an apple cider reduction for a delicious fall side dish perfect for Thanksgiving!

Front view of Sautéed Green Beans with Apple Cider on a serving dish garnished with apple slices

These sautéed green beans are one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes!

They’re easy to make with 5 ingredients in 20 minutes and are a lighter option than casseroles during the holidays.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good sweet potato casserole. But when it comes to green vegetables, like sautéed green beans, I like to cook them in a few nutritious ingredients to let their flavor and texture really shine!

Overhead view of Sautéed Green Beans Recipe with Apple Cider on a serving dish

Sautéed Green Beans Recipe: Substitutions 

There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe, and as always, I recommend making them exactly as written for the best results. However here are a few possible substitutions:

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this Sautéed Green Beans recipe
  • Olive oil. melted butter and avocado oil are great substitutions.
  • Garlic powder. 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic is a good substitute.
  • Apple cider. apple juice can be used in place of apple cider.
front view of a serving dish of Sautéed Green Beans Recipe with Apple Cider

How to Make Sautéed Green Beans

Let’s discuss how to sauté green beans, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Blanch the Green Beans

The first step is to blanch the green beans.

When working with fresh green beans I like to blanch them first. To do this, cook the beans in boiling water for 2-4 minutes until they are slightly soft (cook time varies with the size of the beans).

How to Make Sautéed Green Beans - blanching green beans in boiling water

Then rinse them in cold water and plunge them into an ice-water bath to stop the cooking process. This makes the final step of sautéing incredibly easy because the beans are already tender! Blanching can be done the day before, to help you streamline your day-of holiday cooking.

How to Make Sautéed Green Beans - partially cooked beans in a bowl of ice water to blanch

Reduce the Apple Cider

Next, reduce the apple cider so it forms a thick glaze. The cider takes about 20 minutes to thicken and reduce by half.

You can reduce the cider a day in advance and store it in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Sauté the Green Beans

Once the beans are blanched and the cider is reduced, transfer the beans to a large sauté pan.

Overhead view of Sautéed Green Beans Recipe in a frying pan before cooking

Then, add the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper and stir to combine.

Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the beans become warm.

How to Make Sautéed Green Beans adding garlic powder, salt and pepper

Then, add the apple cider reduction and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid coats the beans.

Serve

Serve the sautéed green beans warm with your favorite Thanksgiving recipes like this roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato casserole.

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a sauté pan.

Overhead view of a spoon scooping some Sautéed Green Beans Recipe with Apple Cider out of a serving dish

Sautéed Green Beans Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to cook fresh green beans? 

I prefer to blanch and then sauté green beans for the best flavor and texture.

What spices go well with green beans?

I made this more of a sweet/savory dish but using the rich spices in apple cider – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, etc.


How do you keep green beans green when cooking?

Blanching the beans before cooking them helps them retain their bright green color.

Side view of hands holding a serving dish of Sautéed Green Beans Recipe with Apple Cider

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Sautéed Green Beans with Apple Cider

Laura
In this sautéed green beans recipe, green beans are blanched, then sautéed in an apple cider reduction for a delicious fall side dish perfect for Thanksgiving!
5 from 3 votes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Cups of Beans (Serves 12 people)
Calories 57.7
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Trim the ends of 2 lbs (8 cups) of fresh green beans and place them in a colander and rinse.

Blanch the Green Beans

  • Fill a large pot, ¾ full with water and bring to a boil.
  • While water is coming up to a boil, fill a large bowl ½ full of water and ice. If the ice melts add more. Set aside.
  • Cook the trimmed & rinsed beans in the boiling water for 3-4 minutes or until they are slightly soft to the touch.
  • Pour boiling water/beans into a colander and rinse with cold water.
  • Then, transfer the beans to the prepared bowl of ice water.
  • Once beans are completely cool (or cold) drain and rinse.

Make the Apple Cider Reduction

  • While the water is boiling, place 1 ½ cups of apple cider into a small saucepan.
  • Bring liquid to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally. Be aware, stirring can cause the liquid to bubble more vigorously for a moment so be careful.
  • Cook until the cider is reduced to ½ of its original volume and begins to coat the back of a spatula (about 20 minutes).
  • Remove from heat and set aside.

Sauté the Green Beans

  • Transfer the green beans to a large nonstick fry pan or sauté pan.
  • Add the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
  • Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the beans become warm.
  • Add the apple cider reduction and cook, stirring occasionally, until the reduction coats the beans.
  • Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions
  • Olive oil. melted butter and avocado oil are great substitutions.
  • Garlic powder. 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic is a good substitute.
  • Apple cider. apple juice can be used in place of apple cider.
Serve
Serve them immediately after cooking, warm with your favorite Thanksgiving recipes like this roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato casserole.
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a sauté pan.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 57.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1.3g | Fat: 2.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 5.1g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 17.3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I am in LOVE with this simple, fresh take on green beans! I too am not a huge fan of the traditional creamy green been casserole, so I may just have to give these a try this year!

  2. Hi Laura, thanks for the great recipe. I was searching for festive and delicious Christmas dinner ideas for my family. Finally, I found it. The ingredients are my all time favourite, especially the Apple Cider Vinegar and green beans. I’m really excited to get cooking. Well done and thank you again.

  3. What a unique flavor idea! I admit, as much as I love veggies, green beans are just meh for me. But this looks like a great way to jazz them up!

  4. Simple ingredients and I love the apple cider twist on green beans! I would love to see this at Thanksgiving or have it any night.

  5. The perfect addition to a healthy holiday table! I’m obsessed with apple cider vinegar! I will be making these for sure!

  6. Wow, these look so good! I’ve never done the blanching but sounds like I should start, loved all your tips! I can’t believe it’s November this week either..how did this happen?! lol..