Fresh green beans are smothered in butter, garlic, and lemon zest in this easy recipe for Lemon Garlic Green Beans. Crispy, crunchy, and loaded with flavor they are about to become your new favorite side dish, the perfect way to get a green vegetable on the dinner table.
This recipe is a must for our festive gatherings, along with breakfast bake, green bean casserole, corn casserole, perfectly mashed potatoes ... to name a few!
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Why It's Yummy
- Ease. These garlicky beans come together in minutes with just a few ingredients. If you are looking for a simple side for an easy dinner, this recipe’s for you.
- Crunchy. Blanching the green beans for a few minutes leaves them crunchy and crisp.
- Nutritious. Green beans are a source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Ingredients
My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
- Green beans - look for nice, uniform, unblemished regular green beans and trim the ends off. I find using scissors is easier than a knife.
- Shallots - cooking with shallots adds a nice mellow onion flavor but you can also use a white or red onion, finely diced.
- Butter - just a little butter adds a lot of flavor. Salted or unsalted can be used to saute the garlic and shallots. Use vegan butter or only olive oil if you want to make these beans non-dairy.
- Olive oil - extra-virgin olive oil is my preferred oil but any kind will work.
- Lemon zest - you can’t beat the flavor you get from adding fresh citrus zest. I used the zest from 1 large lemon (best paired with green veggies, although lime and orange might work too). Make sure to wash and scrub the peel well before use.
- Fresh garlic - pressed minced or jarred will work too. If you haven't got either on hand you can always use garlic powder.
- Salt and pepper - add a pinch of salt and a touch of black or lemon pepper to taste.
Instructions
Prep. Place green beans in a colander and rinse well.
There are two ways to chop off the ends: You can hold a bunch in your hand and use scissors or place them on a cutting board and cut off the ends. They are now ready for blanching.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Throw in a touch of salt.
Add the green beans and blanch in the salted water for 3-4 minutes. While the beans are cooking, prepare a large bowl of ice water for an ice bath.
Drain the beans with a colander and immediately transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking process.
Drain again, blot with paper towels, and set aside. This step helps the beans to remain crunchy and vibrant green.
Saute. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced shallots and saute for 2 minutes.
Add the garlic to the pan and stir with the shallots for 30 seconds more.
Add the green beans and lemon zest to the pan and stir together for a couple of minutes, until warmed through.
Serve. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately for the perfect side dish.
📋 FLAVOR & TEXTURE: These sautéed green beans turn out crunchy and chewy with a nice tangy garlicky flavor with citrus notes.
Tips
- Keep a watchful eye on the green beans as they cook up fairly quickly and you don’t want to be eating mushy beans.
- If you don’t have any ice on hand, run the blanched green beans under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Grate a touch of parmesan cheese on top for a salty, cheesy flavor.
- For serving, garnish the dish with lots of fresh herbs like oregano or basil. Sesame seeds work well too.
Serving Suggestions
Though green beans pretty much go with anything, I think they go especially well with these recipes:
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. Let the beans come to room temperature and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To Freeze. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight or run them under warm water.
- To Make Ahead. If you’re looking to get a few things off your to-do list, you can easily blanch the green beans, store them in the fridge, and then rewarm them when you cook up the garlic and shallots.
Health Benefits Of Green Beans
Green beans are low in calories, high in fiber, and contain many essential nutrients like Vitamins A, K, and folate. Read more about benefits in this Healthline post.
You can’t go wrong with adding a side dish of green beans to your meal from a health perspective plus their bright green color will brighten up any plate.
French Green Beans vs Regular Green Beans
French green beans, or Haricots Verts, are longer and thinner than regular green beans. They're a bit pricier because they're picked earlier, making them more tender and flavorful.
I used thinner beans in this recipe, but feel free to use what you have!
FAQs
Simply tossing green beans with lemon juice or garlic takes green beans up a notch. You could also sprinkle a few red pepper flakes on them for a touch of spice. You could also top them with chopped almonds for green beans and amandine.
Absolutely! If you can’t find fresh green beans at the grocery store, pick up a bag of frozen beans and use them instead.
More Side Dishes
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Recipe
Buttery Lemon Garlic Green Beans
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound green beans (trimmed ends cut off)
- 2 shallots (finely diced)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- lemon zest from 1 large lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic (pressed)
- salt and black pepper (or use lemon pepper seasoning)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prep. Place green beans in a colander and rinse well.
- There are two ways to chop off the ends: You can hold a bunch in your hand and use scissors or place them on a cutting board and cut off the ends. They are now ready for blanching.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Throw in a touch of salt.
- Add the green beans and blanch in the salted water for 3-4 minutes. While the beans are cooking, prepare a large bowl of ice water for an ice bath.
- Drain the beans with a colander and immediately transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again, blot with paper towels, and set aside. This step helps the beans to remain crunchy and vibrant green.
- Saute. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced shallots and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic to the pan and stir with the shallots for 30 seconds more.
- Add the green beans and lemon zest to the pan and stir together for a couple of minutes, until warmed through.
- Serve. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately for the perfect side dish.
NOTES
- To Store. Let the beans come to room temperature and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To Freeze. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight or run them under warm water.
- French beans vs regular green beans - French green beans, or Haricots Verts, are longer and thinner than regular green beans. They're a bit pricier because they're picked earlier, making them more tender and flavorful. I used thinner beans in this recipe, but feel free to use what you have!
PRIVATE NOTES
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Sauteed french green beans make an excellent holiday side dish. Enjoy!