These spicy green beans are a fast and simple side dish that always hits the spot any night of the week.

Pair them with your favorite main protein, and you’ve got a delicious veggie to compliment your meal.

green beans in a large bowl with cracked pepper

Perfect Spicy Green Beans

The beauty of spicy veggies as a side dish is that they pair with the simplest of main foods like plain-old chicken breasts.

The recipe below, IMO, has the perfect amount of heat that’s a great “happy-go-lucky” for anyone to try. If you like them spicier, you can easily adjust, but even with my family, I serve them as is!

These spicy green beans are crunchy, delicious, and flavorful. Talk about the perfect trio!

Ingredients

Here is what you’ll need to make these spicy green beans:

Fresh green beans: buy these fresh from the store, or pick them from your garden during the summer months.
Butter: you can use salted or unsalted butter.
Cloves of garlic: minced garlic adds great flavor.
Red pepper flakes or Sriracha: either is fine, so pick your favorite.
Salt: to taste.
Pepper: to taste.
Water: to steam the green beans.

As always, check the recipe card for the ingredient amounts and detailed cooking directions.

Sriracha Green Beans

Sriracha is a good spice for green beans because it flavors the entire bean easily. It’s a simple coating that will melt and cover the green beans well, coating all of them so that they all have that delicious spicy flavor throughout and not just when you find a red pepper flake.

Since Sriracha is a liquid, it’s simple to add and mix. A little bit goes a long way in terms of spice, and can always add a little more if needed, but you can’t take away the heat.

How to Spice Up Green Beans

All you need to do is gather up the ingredients listed above and start cooking. It couldn’t be easier!

Heat the skillet
Heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, melt the butter. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the veggies and ingredients
Add the green beans to the pan, red pepper flakes or Sriracha, salt, and pepper. Stir to distribute. Add the water to the pan and cover it immediately. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, opening up the cover to stir occasionally.
Remove and serve
Once the green beans are ready, remove the lid, and serve immediately.

What goes well with Spicy Green Beans

You can easily pair up any main dish with these green beans. Some of my favorites are:

Want to keep it simple? Fry up some eggs and serve them over rice with these green beans. They go great with everything!

Simple Spicy Green Beans

Print Recipe

These Spicy Green Beans are the perfect side dish for any meal. Fast and simple!

Author: Laura Fuentes
Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 12
Total Time: 17 minutes
Yield: 4
Category: Sides
Method: Skillet

Ingredients

1lb fresh green beans
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or*
2 teaspoons Sriracha
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup water

Instructions

Heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, melt the butter. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the green beans to the pan, red pepper flakes or Sriracha, salt, and pepper. Stir to distribute. Add the water to the pan and cover it immediately. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, opening up the cover to stir occasionally.
Once the green beans are ready, remove the lid, and serve immediately.