No Fluff Gourmet: Quick, Easy, and Tasty Lemon Garlic Green Beans
Straight to the recipe with hints, tips, and tricks along the way
This recipe brought green beans back onto my at-home meal menu. When done right, this veggie is one of my favorites! A crispy, flavorful char on the outside, combined w/ the aromatic mix of garlic, shallots, & butter, makes for a quick & delicious side dish.
🥘Recipe Overview
- Serving Size: 3–4 people
- Calories: ~90 per serving
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: Under 20 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
✔ 1 lb of fresh green beans
✔ 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter
✔ 3 cloves garlic (minced)
✔ 1/2 lemon (zested & juiced)
✔ salt & pepper (to taste)
Garnish & Flavor Boosters (Optional But Recommended)
✔ 1.5 tbsp kosher salt (for blanching)
✔ 1 medium shallot (chopped, for extra flavor)
✔ 1 tbsp grated parmesan (for garnish)
✔ 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (for garnish)
✔ 1 tsp dijon mustard (for extra flavor)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1️⃣ Blanch the Green Beans (Optional But Recommended)
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil & add 1.5 tbsp salt.
- Boil green beans > bright green & tender (2–3 min).
- Drain & immediately dump into bowl of ice water.
- Let sit (1–2 min) then drain & pat dry.
🚨 Bonus Booster: while not a must, blanching is what will give that vibrant green. It also allows you to sauté more quickly, reaching a tender, crisp finish w/ more flavor rather than a mushy, overcooked mess.
⚠️ Be Careful: make sure you really pat your green beans dry, else the residual water will splash backup at you w/ the hot oil in the pan in step 2!
2️⃣ Sauté the Green Beans
- Heat butter in a large pan over med heat.
- Add the minced garlic & cook > fragrant (30 sec).
- Toss in the green beans & sauté > crispy & tender (3–4 min).
🚨 Bonus Booster: if using, stir in the chopped shallot for a few minutes before adding in the garlic.
🧠 Big Brain Play: stir the green beans occasionally, but not too frequently as you want them to sit long enough to develop a slight char around the edges.
3️⃣ Season & Serve
- Add lemon zest & desired amount of lemon juice.
- Season w salt & pepper to taste.
- Serve hot & enjoy!
🚨 Bonus Booster: garnish w/ parmesan for a sharp, cheesy twist; red pepper flakes for a spicy kick; or whisk dijon mustard in w/ the lemon juice (before adding) for some tang.
🍽️ Customization & Add-Ons
✅ Have w Caramelized Onions: for some depth & a bit of sweetness, slice & sauté half an onion > browned, & enjoy w/ the green beans!
✅ Add crunch: chop up some toasted nuts & sprinkle on top or mix in after cooking for some flavor enhancement & texture:
- almonds
- pine nuts
- walnuts
✅ Explore Spices w Different Flavor Profiles:
- want smoky? stir in 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- want a delicate earthy flavor? try 1/2 tsp thyme
- want a more assertive herby punch? add 1/2 tsp finely chopped rosemary
❓FAQ
1. Do I need to trim the green beans?
The main reason for trimming the green beans is to cut off the tough, fibrous ends that tend to give an unpleasant chewing experience, but trimming can also help ensure each piece is the same size, so they cook evenly.
2. Can I store these for later?
Nothing beats the crispiness & flavor of these green beans fresh off the skillet, but they’ll store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For reheating, a quick, high-temp air-fry is ideal, but a stove top or microwave reheat will work as well.
3. How can I avoid burning the garlic?
This is a timeless issue. As burnt garlic gives a much more bitter flavor than its perfectly sautéed counterpart, it’s certainly something you want to avoid, but it’s easier said than done. Here are some tips to get the ideal sauté:
- keep the skillet on medium or even medium-low when first adding the garlic, especially if the oil is smoking.
- add garlic as the oil is warming up, not after it’s super hot.
- stay nearby & stir constantly, the garlic goes from perfect gold to burnt extremely fast.
- add green beans (or a splash of water) to absorb some heat as soon as the garlic is fragrant.
