Garlic Lemon Sautéed Green Bean Recipe
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Sautéed green beans are easy to make and a great side dish when you’re just trying to get something on the table quickly. They’re packed with bright flavors that will please any palate.
News flash: it’s not a requirement for tasty recipes to be difficult and time consuming. This Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon recipe is especially easy, using frozen green beans that won’t spoil if you forget to use them a few days after purchasing them!
And as much as I love having french fries as a side dish to just about anything, sometimes I need something green on the plate. And these sautéed green beans are just that.
Looking to add more quick veggies to your diet? Vegan broccoli cranberry salad, air fryer Brussels sprouts, roasted yellow squash, and chili carrots are a few more of my favorites!
Why You’ll Love Sautéed Green Beans With Garlic And Lemon
- < 10: This recipe uses less than 10 pantry ingredients AND gets on the table in less than 10 minutes
- Diet Friendly: Green beans are rich in fiber and low in calories. Plus, sautéing them olive oil keeps them Whole30 compliant, low-carb, gluten free, among many other healthy things.
- A timeless classic: With fresh bright flavors, green beans are perfect for any time of year and go with just about any main dish.
How to make Lemon Garlic Green Beans
Frozen green beans (or string beans) are so easy to prepare. They come frozen with the tips already removed so all you have to do is cook them.
Sure, you can throw the steamer bag in the microwave to make it even easier, but where’s the fun in that?!
When you cook them on the stovetop, they absorb all the other flavors in the skillet. This green bean recipe comes together in 3 simple steps:
- Step 1: Cook the garlic and shallot. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil, then add garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Cook the green beans. Reduce the heat to medium and toss in the green beans. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Season and serve. When the green beans are tender and crisp, remove the skillet from the heat and season with lemon zest, flaky salt, and pink peppercorns.
Note: If you prefer to cook with fresh green beans, this recipe works with those too!
Additions & Substitutions
You might laugh when I tell you this, but I actually got the idea for this flavor profile from an indulgent, creamy pasta dish I had at a restaurant! The only thing missing here from that dish is some fresh pecorino cheese. And the pasta of course…
I don’t usually stray too far from this recipe, but here are a few other ways to season green beans:
- A drizzle of Sriracha
- Crispy bacon crumbles with blue cheese
- Toasted pine nuts and a squeeze of lemon juice
- A sprinkle of pecorino romano
- Salt and pepper with fresh garlic
What To Serve With Garlic Lemon Sautéed Green Beans
Green beans are one of the most versatile side dishes out there, but here are some of my favorite recipes to pair them with:
- Blackened Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Air Fryer Cornish Hens
- Seared Scallops And Spaghetti Squash
- Pesto Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- One Pan Skillet Chicken With Creamy Mushroom Sauce
FAQs
Ingredients like garlic, lemon zest, toasted nuts, herbs, bacon, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or balsamic vinegar are delicious with green beans.
Red pepper flakes or Chili Garlic Sauce are my favorite way to add some heat to green beans.
Green beans can lack flavor if they’re not seasoned enough. Try adding more salt, pepper, herbs, or other seasonings to enhance their flavor. Also, overcooking can make them lose their flavor, so be sure to cook them just until they’re tender-crisp for the best taste!
WANT TO TRY THIS SAUTEED GREEN BEANS RECIPE?
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Garlic Lemon Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb frozen green beans
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, zest
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon pink peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky salt
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick skillet with olive oil on medium-high heat. Then add the garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes, toss to coat with the olive oil and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the green beans to the skillet, tossing to combine. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 3-4 minutes covered.
- When the green beans are tender and vibrant green, remove the skillet from the heat and season with lemon zest, flaky salt, and fresh ground pink peppercorns.
Notes
- If you prefer to cook with fresh green beans, this recipe works with those too!
