What else can you add?

If you want to dress them up more, add some freshly ground black pepper, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, or add a different herb like chopped basil. You can also use dried herbs like oregano - if you do, add them when you add the butter instead of waiting until the end. If you want to change the flavor, try subbing shallots for the garlic or do a mix of both.

Can you make them ahead?

You can, but I recommend reducing the cooking time by two to three minutes. That way, when you reheat them (either in the microwave or on the stovetop they won't overcook.

How long do the leftovers keep?

Cooked green beans will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days as long as they are stored in an airtight container.

How do you know when green beans are done?

I like them crisp-tender, which means they are soft but with a little bit of resistance when you bite them. If you want them softer, cook them for one to two minutes longer, but be sure to taste-test, so they don't end up mushy.

Do you have to blanch green beans first?

For this recipe, you don't. Blanching is a quick-cooking method that I've used for other recipes (see: pesto pasta salad ) that lightly cooks the green beans, so they retain their bright green color. It's not necessary when you saute them.

Can you use frozen green beans instead of fresh?

I haven't tested this recipe with frozen ones, so I can't say how they will turn out. They will take longer to cook, and frozen green beans don't always look as nice as fresh ones once cooked. Feels judgy, but it's true.

Garlic-Butter Green Beans

Description

This easy recipe combines sautéed green beans with butter, garlic, and lemon for a fresh side dish that pairs with all kinds of main dishes. It’s easy enough for weeknight dinners and great for holiday meals, too.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound fresh green beans, stems trimmed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While it heats, cut the green beans into thirds.
Add the green beans to the hot pan and cook them for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the butter, garlic, salt, zest, and lemon juice and cook them for 5 minutes longer or until they are crisp-tender. Add the parsley, stir again, and serve!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dishes
Method: Sauté
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 124
Sugar: 4.1g
Sodium: 163.8mg
Fat: 9.6g
Saturated Fat: 4.2g
Unsaturated Fat: 4.9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9.9g
Fiber: 3.2g
Protein: 2.4g
Cholesterol: 15.3mg

Keywords: sautéed green beans, garlic butter green beans, how to cook green beans