These peanut butter green beans are easy to make on the stovetop. The peanut sauce is a little bit sweet, savory, and has just a touch of spice. It’s a delicious family-friendly recipe that will get the whole family eating their green beans.
While I like green beans, I know they aren't everyone's favorite veggie. But this peanut butter sauce is super delicious and will help convert those green bean haters out there! And you can use any leftover sauce on top of other veggies, pasta, or even a rice bowl.
I love cooking and baking with peanut butter. If you're looking for more peanut butter recipes, try my vegan buckeyes, vegan peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, and my vegan chocolate peanut butter mug cake.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and tangy: The delicious peanut butter sauce has just a touch of sweetness and spice.
- Kid-friendly: The peanut butter sauce "hides" the taste of the green beans which can be a bonus for picky kids.
- Versatile: While this makes a great side dish, it can also be a main dish when served over rice or noodles.
Ingredient Notes
- Peanut butter: Use creamy peanut butter, not crunchy.
- Soy sauce: I recommend reduced sodium soy sauce.
- Maple syrup: Make sure it’s pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
Please see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and amounts needed.
How To Make Green Beans With Peanut Butter Sauce
Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil.
Step 2: Add the green beans and cook for 5 - 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. They taste best when they get slightly browned. Stir in a pinch of salt.
Step 3: Add in the water, cover, and lower the temperature. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the pan gets dry, add in a little more water.
Step 4: Meanwhile, make the peanut butter sauce. Add all the sauce ingredients to a mason jar. Place the lid on and shake until well mixed. If the sauce is too thick, add in an additional 1 tablespoon of hot water.
Step 5: Add the sauce to the cooked green beans. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Plate, serve and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- If your peanut butter sauce is a little too thick, add about 1 tablespoon of hot water.
- You probably won’t need all of the sauce. Save some in the fridge and drizzle over roasted veggies, tofu or even pasta.
- To make a spicier sauce, simply add in more red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha.
What To Serve With Peanut Butter Green Beans
I often make these green beans to go on top of white or brown rice or even noodles. It’s also a delicious side dish to go along with my air fryer tofu katsu or quinoa with mushrooms and spinach.
Storage and Recipe FAQs
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You may want to stir in a little water before reheating as the sauce will thicken more in the fridge.
While I haven’t tried that, it should work. Just thaw the green beans first and then follow the recipe as is.
This sauce is delicious on anything! I especially like it on noodles, a baked potato, and roasted cauliflower. It's also perfect on a rice bowl with tofu and veggies.
More Vegan Side Dishes
If you tried this Sautéed Green Beans With Peanut Butter Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Green Beans With Peanut Butter Sauce
Equipment
- Mason jar with lid
- Cutting board
- Skillet with lid
Ingredients
Green Beans
- 1 pound green beans, cleaned and trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup water
- salt, to taste
Peanut Butter Sauce
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon hot water
- sprinkle of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil.
- Add the green beans and cook for 5 - 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to get lightly browned. Stir in a pinch of salt.
- Add in the water, cover, and lower the temperature to low. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you need to, add some water if the pan gets dry.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce. Add all the sauce ingredients to a mason jar. Place the lid on and shake until well mixed. If the sauce is too thick, add in an additional 1 tablespoon of hot water.
- Add the sauce to the cooked green beans. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Plate and serve.
Notes
- You may not need to use all the sauce. Save it to top your next veggie sauté.
- If your peanut butter sauce is too thick, add more hot water 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You may want to stir in a little water when reheating as the sauce will continue to thicken in the fridge.
Jen says
My kids actually ate these green beans. And liked them! I’ll definitely make this again.
Alena says
Hello,
Great recipe for a quick midnight meal. I had only Lyle's Black Treacle molasses and it worked ! Excellent sauce thanks a million.
Jen Cardenas says
Thanks Alena. I'm so glad you liked it and that your kind of molasses worked out!