15 Minute Italian Green Beans with Tomatoes and Olives
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Summer is all about enjoying fresh, vibrant flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. When the days are long and the weather is warm, a quick and easy dish that bursts with seasonal goodness is just what you need. Enter Italian Green Beans with Tomatoes and Olives – a delightful side dish that takes only 5 ingredients and comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any summer meal, from backyard barbecues to weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
1. Simple Ingredients
You only need five ingredients to create this flavorful side dish:
- Fresh green beans
- Cherry tomatoes
- Kalamata olives
- Garlic
- Olive oil
These ingredients are likely already in your kitchen, and if not, they’re easy to find at any grocery store or farmer’s market.
2. Quick and Easy
In just 15 minutes, you can have this dish ready to serve. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend much time cooking.
3. Bursting with Flavor
The combination of crisp-tender green beans, sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny Kalamata olives creates a symphony of flavors that epitomizes summer. A touch of garlic and a drizzle of olive oil bring everything together beautifully.
4. Versatile
This dish pairs well with a variety of main courses. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, fish, or steak, or add it to a vegetarian spread. It’s also a great addition to a potluck or picnic.
Garden Notes
Beans are my favorite vegetable to grow in the garden. I love their versatility, abundance, and that they improve soil health! I’m growing 5 types of beans this year, and wish I had room for more! Below are all of my must grow bean varieties:
- Tavera Bush Beans
- Gold Rush Bush Wax Beans
- Pink-Tip Greasy Pole Beans
- Northeaster Romano-Style Pole Beans
- Haudenosaunee Skunk Pole Beans
More Summer Sides
Italian Green Beans with Tomatoes and Olives
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 quart green beans trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces- about 3 cups
- 1 tsp salt divided
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved- about 2 c
- ½ c pitted kalamata olives chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Add green beans and season with ½ tsp salt. Cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and remaining ½ tsp salt, and cook until the tomatoes start to burst and release their juices and the green beans are fully cooked, 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in kalamata olives, and cook another minute or two until they are heated through. Taste and add more salt if needed.
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