Name: Saltgrass Green Beans Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic (about 4–5 large cloves); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened; ½ teaspoon lemon zest (from about ½ a lemon); ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 12 oz (340 g) fresh green beans, trimmed; 1–2 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado oil); ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste); ½ cup water (or chicken/vegetable stock)

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If you’ve ever craved the unforgettable flavor of saltgrass green beans, you’re about to discover just how simple it is to bring that taste home. This saltgrass green beans recipe captures the same bright, buttery, and savory notes you remember from the restaurant, making it the perfect side dish for weeknight meals or steakhouse-style dinners. With just a few basic ingredients, you can recreate those iconic flavors in your own kitchen.

What makes these beans so irresistible is the signature saltgrass flash fried green beans technique. By briefly frying them, you get a crisp-tender bite that pairs beautifully with garlic, butter, and citrus. These flash fried green beans saltgrass style turn an everyday vegetable into something special-bold, aromatic, and undeniably delicious.

If you’ve ever wondered how to saltgrass green beans at home, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is. With simple steps and familiar pantry staples, you can enjoy that restaurant-quality finish without the fuss. This guide walks you through each step so you can serve up the perfect salt grass green beans anytime the craving hits.

Table of Contents

What Are Saltgrass Green Beans and How Do They Taste?

Saltgrass flash fried green beans are a signature side dish from Saltgrass Steakhouse, known for their unique cooking method that combines high-heat sautéing with steaming to achieve the perfect texture.

Unlike traditional boiled or steamed green beans, these beans are cooked quickly in hot oil, developing slightly blistered, caramelized spots while maintaining a crisp-tender bite. The dish is finished with a luxurious garlic butter mixture infused with lemon zest and black pepper, creating layers of savory, buttery, and subtly citrusy flavors. The taste is bold yet balanced-the earthiness of fresh green beans pairs beautifully with pungent garlic, rich butter, and the brightness of lemon.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by tender vegetable goodness, making these saltgrass green beans the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, seafood, or any main course that needs a flavorful vegetable side.

Saltgrass Green Beans Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients

For the garlic butter mixture:

1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic (about 4–5 large cloves)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon lemon zest (from about ½ a lemon)
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the green beans:

12 oz (340 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
1–2 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado oil)
¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
½ cup water (or chicken/vegetable stock)

Kitchen Utensils

Large 12-inch skillet with lid
Small mixing bowl
Knife and cutting board
Measuring spoons
Microplane or zester
Wooden spoon or spatula
Kitchen tongs

Preparation and Cooking Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 side portions

How to Make Saltgrass Green Beans

Step 1: Prepare the garlic butter mixture

In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, softened butter, lemon zest, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Set this aromatic mixture aside while you prepare the green beans.

Step 2: Start cooking the green beans

Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1–2 tablespoons of neutral oil to the pan. Wait until the oil is hot and shimmering-this ensures proper searing. Add the trimmed green beans and ¼ teaspoon of salt, then toss to coat all the beans evenly in the oil.

Step 3: Sauté the beans

Cook the green beans, stirring occasionally, for approximately 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready for the next step when they turn bright green and develop some blistered, slightly charred spots on their surface. This flash frying technique is key to the authentic saltgrass green beans flavor.

Step 4: Steam the beans

Pour ½ cup of water (or stock for added flavor) into the skillet. Immediately cover with a tight-fitting lid and allow the beans to steam for 2 minutes. This dual cooking method-sautéing then steaming-creates the signature crisp-tender texture.

Step 5: Evaporate remaining liquid

Remove the lid from the skillet. If liquid remains in the pan, continue cooking over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until all the liquid has completely evaporated. This step ensures your beans won’t be soggy.

Step 6: Add the garlic butter

Reduce the heat to low or medium-low. Add your prepared garlic butter mixture to the skillet. Toss and stir the beans continuously for about 1 minute, ensuring every bean is coated with the melted garlic butter. The garlic should become fragrant but not browned or burnt.

Step 7: Finish and serve

Taste your flash fried green beans saltgrass style and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor.

7 Customization and Pairing Ideas for Serving

1. Asian-Inspired Twist: Transform your saltgrass green beans by adding a tablespoon of soy sauce and a teaspoon of sesame oil instead of butter. Finish with toasted sesame seeds and red pepper flakes for a fusion side dish that pairs beautifully with teriyaki chicken or grilled salmon.

2. Bacon Lover’s Edition: Crisp up 3–4 strips of bacon in the skillet before cooking your beans, then use the bacon fat in place of neutral oil. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over the finished beans along with the garlic butter for an indulgent, smoky variation that’s perfect alongside steak.

3. Cheesy Garlic Green Beans: After adding the garlic butter mixture, sprinkle ¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the beans and toss until melted. The nutty, salty cheese enhances the garlic flavor and adds richness that complements Italian-inspired meals.

4. Mediterranean Style: Add ½ cup of halved cherry tomatoes during the last minute of cooking along with the garlic butter. Finish with crumbled feta cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and fresh basil. This bright, colorful variation pairs wonderfully with grilled lamb or Mediterranean chicken dishes.

5. Spicy Cajun Green Beans: Season the beans with ½ teaspoon of Cajun seasoning along with the salt, and add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter mixture. This kicked-up version is fantastic with blackened fish, jambalaya, or any Southern-inspired main course.

6. Almond Crunch Variation: Toast ¼ cup of sliced almonds in the dry skillet before cooking the beans, then set them aside. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the finished saltgrass flash fried green beans for added texture and nutty flavor that elevates the dish for special occasions.

7. Classic Steakhouse Pairing: Serve your saltgrass green beans alongside a perfectly grilled ribeye or New York strip steak, garlic mashed potatoes, and a wedge salad. The bright, garlicky beans cut through the richness of beef beautifully, creating the complete steakhouse experience at home. These beans also complement roasted chicken, baked salmon, or even as part of a vegetarian plate with quinoa and roasted vegetables.

7 Essential Tips for Perfect Saltgrass Green Beans

1. Choose the Right Green Beans: Fresh, crisp green beans are essential for this recipe. Look for beans that are bright green, firm, and snap easily when bent. Avoid limp, discolored, or overly thick beans. French green beans (haricots verts) work wonderfully for a more elegant presentation, while standard green beans provide a heartier bite. The fresher your beans, the better your final dish will taste.

2. Don’t Skip the Trimming: Properly trimming green beans makes a significant difference in presentation and eating experience. Remove both the stem end and the tail tip from each bean. While this takes a few extra minutes, it ensures uniform cooking and prevents any tough, fibrous ends. You can line up several beans at once and trim them together to speed up the process.

3. Master the High Heat Technique: The secret to authentic flash fried green beans saltgrass style lies in using high heat. Your skillet must be properly preheated and the oil should shimmer before adding the beans. This high temperature creates those signature blistered spots and caramelization that develop complex flavors. If your heat is too low, the beans will steam rather than sear, missing that characteristic restaurant texture.

4. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Using a large 12-inch skillet is crucial because overcrowding prevents proper browning. The beans need space to make direct contact with the hot pan surface. If you’re doubling the recipe, use two skillets or cook in batches. Overcrowded beans will steam and turn soggy rather than developing the crispy, blistered exterior that makes this dish special.

5. Control Your Garlic Carefully: Garlic burns quickly and becomes bitter when overcooked. That’s why the saltgrass green beans recipe adds the garlic butter mixture at the end over reduced heat. Make sure your butter is softened (not melted) beforehand, and mix the garlic into it rather than adding raw garlic directly to the hot pan. This method ensures the garlic flavors the butter without burning.

6. Use Stock for Extra Flavor: While water works perfectly fine for the steaming step, using chicken or vegetable stock adds another layer of savory depth to your green beans. The beans absorb some of this liquid during steaming, so quality stock can enhance the overall taste. For vegetarian preparations, a rich vegetable stock makes an excellent choice.

7. Timing Is Everything: These green beans are best served immediately after cooking. The crisp-tender texture and hot garlic butter coating are at their peak right out of the pan. If you must hold them, keep the finished beans warm in a low oven (200°F) for no more than 15 minutes. The texture will soften over time, so plan your cooking so the beans come off the heat just as you’re ready to serve dinner.

Storage and Reheating Guidance

Store leftover saltgrass green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, adding a small pat of butter to refresh the coating. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through, though the texture won’t be as crisp as the skillet method.

Saltgrass Green Beans Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

If you’ve ever craved the unforgettable flavor of saltgrass green beans, you’re about to discover just how simple it is to bring that taste home. This saltgrass green beans recipe captures the same bright, buttery, and savory notes you remember from the restaurant, making it the perfect side dish for weeknight meals or steakhouse-style dinners. With just a few basic ingredients, you can recreate those iconic flavors in your own kitchen.