Simple Green Beans with Tangy Mustard Butter Sauce
If you’ve been searching for a vegetable side dish that’s quick, bright, flavorful, and universally loved, Simple Green Beans with Tangy Mustard Butter Sauce is about to become your new go-to. This recipe delivers everything a great side should be: crisp-tender veggies, a silky butter-based sauce, just the right amount of tang, and a cooking process so easy that it fits effortlessly into weeknight dinners or holiday spreads.
Green beans are one of the most underrated vegetables in the kitchen. They’re budget-friendly, widely available, and cook in minutes—but they’re also a blank canvas. When combined with flavorful fats, aromatics, or tangy ingredients, green beans transform from ordinary to extraordinary. This version uses a velvety mustard butter sauce, which gives every bite a bright pop of flavor without overpowering the vegetable itself.
Whether you’re preparing a casual Tuesday dinner or building a Thanksgiving or Christmas menu, these mustard butter green beans will fit right in. They pair beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, seafood, casseroles, and any main that benefits from a fresh, zippy, vegetable companion. Best of all? They take less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
Why This Recipe Works
There are hundreds of ways to cook green beans, but this recipe focuses on fast, flavorful, and foolproof technique:
1. The Mustard Butter Sauce Adds Depth
A simple combination of butter, Dijon mustard, lemon, and garlic creates a balanced sauce that is rich and bright at the same time. Butter coats the beans and gives them a glossy finish, mustard adds tang and complexity, and lemon brings freshness.
2. Quick Blanching or Sautéing Keeps Beans Crisp-Tender
Green beans should never be mushy. A quick 5–6 minute cook ensures they retain their snap, their deep green color, and their nutrients.
3. Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor
This dish uses pantry staples yet tastes restaurant-quality. It’s proof that simple ingredients—when combined correctly—can produce remarkable results.
4. Perfect for Meal Prep or Holidays
This recipe reheats well, travels easily, and can be made ahead with a few small adjustments.
Ingredients
(Use these exact ingredients in the recipe card below; these are for article readability.)
- Fresh green beans
- Butter
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Salt & pepper
- Optional flavor boosters (listed in Tips & Variations)
Ingredients (Detailed Section)
For the Green Beans
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- Salt for boiling
- Optional: 1 tsp olive oil if sautéing instead of blanching
For the Tangy Mustard Butter Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1–1 ½ tbsp Dijon mustard (adjust to taste)
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: ½ tsp honey for a slightly sweeter finish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Green Beans
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook 5–6 minutes until crisp-tender and bright green. Drain and immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking. (Skip the ice bath if you prefer softer beans.)
To sauté instead: Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a pan, add green beans, and cook over medium heat for 7–8 minutes until tender but still vibrant.
2. Make the Mustard Butter Sauce
In a small skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in Dijon mustard and lemon juice. Season with black pepper.
Taste and adjust:
- Add more mustard for tang
- Add a pinch of honey if you want sweetness
- Add more lemon for brightness
3. Combine and Serve
Add cooked green beans directly into the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Serve warm with an extra drizzle of sauce and fresh cracked pepper.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
1. Weeknight Pairings
These mustard butter green beans go with just about anything, including:
- Grilled or roasted chicken
- Baked salmon or pan-seared tilapia
- Pork chops
- Creamy pasta dishes
- Burgers or sandwiches
2. Holiday Meal Ideas
This side dish works beautifully for holiday spreads:
- Thanksgiving turkey
- Christmas ham
- Roast beef
- Holiday casseroles
- Garlic mashed potatoes
TIPS & VARIATIONS
1. Make Them Spicy
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or ½ tsp spicy mustard.
2. Add Crunch
Sprinkle with:
- Toasted almonds
- Crispy fried onions
- Toasted panko breadcrumbs
3. Make Them Vegan
Swap butter with vegan butter or olive oil.
4. Try Other Mustards
Whole grain mustard adds texture; honey mustard adds sweetness.
5. Add Herbs
Fresh herbs brighten the dish:
- Parsley
- Dill
- Tarragon
- Chives
6. Add Citrus Zest
Lemon zest or orange zest adds aromatic freshness.
7. Meal Prep Tip
Cook green beans ahead but add the sauce right before serving to prevent sogginess.
Fun Facts & Quick History of Green Beans
Green beans—also known as snap beans or string beans—date back thousands of years and were cultivated in both Central and South America. Today, they’re one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide because they grow quickly, require minimal prep, and adapt to countless flavor profiles. While many American holiday traditions include green bean casserole, everyday dishes like this mustard-butter version have become popular due to their freshness and simplicity.
Full Recipe
Simple Green Beans with Tangy Mustard Butter Sauce
A bright, buttery, tangy side dish that turns simple green beans into something special. Quick to make, delicious with any meal, and perfect for both everyday dinners and festive holiday celebrations.
Simple Green Beans with Tangy Mustard Butter Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook 5–6 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and transfer to ice water.
- In a small pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and black pepper to form a smooth sauce.
- Add green beans to the pan and toss to coat completely.
- Serve warm with extra sauce drizzled on top.
