Garlic Green Beans Recipe

Alright, fellow foodies, let me spill the beans on a side dish that’s about to steal the spotlight at your dinner table—crunchy, garlicky green beans that are far from your usual veggie suspects. Trust me, once you taste these, you’ll wonder why you ever gave the humble green bean the side-eye.

I adore the uncomplicated nature and delightful taste of my Garlic Green Beans recipe. Using fresh green beans, and olive oil, and adding just a dash of lemon juice transforms what could be a bland vegetable into something packed with flavor and nutrition.

The minced garlic takes the dish to another level, and if you choose to add the optional butter, well, there’s really nothing like that to cap off your beans with.

Garlic Green Beans Recipe Ingredients

• Fresh Green Beans: High in fiber and vitamins, add crunch and color.
• Olive Oil: Healthy fats, enhances flavor and helps in sautéing.
• Garlic: Aromatic, boosts immune functions, gives robust flavor.
• Salt: Enhances natural flavors, provides essential minerals.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat, antioxidant-rich spice.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright acidity, vitamin C boost (optional).
• Unsalted Butter: Creamy texture, enriches dish flavor (optional).

Garlic Green Beans Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)

How to Make this Garlic Green Beans Recipe

1. Start by washing the green beans really well under cold running water. Cut the stem and tip ends from each bean.

2. A big saucepan filled with water is brought to a full boil. A little salt is added, and then the freshly trimmed green beans are dumped in. They are allowed to swim around for 3–4 minutes and then removed to a bowl of iced water. After a good chill, they can dry and wait in the refrigerator until serving.

3. Pour off water from the green beans and send them straightaway to an ice water bath. That’s the most direct route to halting the cooking process and preserving the color, crispness, and nutrients of a verdant vegetable. Let the beans relax in the ice bath for a few minutes, then take them out. Drain the beans well and pat them dry.

4. A large skillet was heated with the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.

5. Add the minced garlic to the frying pan and sauté for about 1 minute until it’s fragrant, making sure not to burn it.

6. Include the blanched green beans in the skillet. Toss them with the garlic, cooking until heated through.

7. Season the green beans with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and keep tossing them in the skillet so that they are evenly coated and flavored.

8. If you are using it, add the unsalted butter to the skillet and stir until it has melted and coated the green beans, adding a rich flavor.

9. If you want a fresh blast of flavor, you can drizzle the green beans with lemon juice and toss them once more. Just don’t go too heavy on the lemon if you’re also using our lemony pesto, which is essentially a sauce version of the lemon juice you’re drizzling here.

10. Garnish the garlic green beans with a bit of lemon zest, if you like; then serve them up immediately, as they’re best enjoyed fresh.

Of course, you could enjoy these delightful green beans simply on their own. And you might, if you tend to nibble on leftovers straight from the fridge.

But we think they’re so versatile you could just as easily serve them alongside Asian dishes or Mediterranean cuisine as you could alongside traditional American fare.

Garlic Green Beans Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Cutting board
2. Chef’s knife
3. Large saucepan
4. Colander or strainer
5. Large bowl (for ice water bath)
6. Ice (for ice water bath)
7. Skillet or frying pan
8. Wooden spoon or spatula
9. Measuring spoons
10. Tongs (optional)

FAQ

• Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?Using frozen green beans is an option. Thaw them completely and ensure they are completely dry before cooking them for the best results.
• Is the lemon juice necessary?It is suggested, but not required, to use lemon juice. It adds a brightness and zesty quality to the dish that can make it much more palatable.
• How can I make this dish vegan?Use a plant-based alternative or skip the butter to make this recipe comply with a vegan diet.
• What can I do if I don’t have fresh garlic?Substituting is possible with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, though for the best flavor, fresh garlic is the recommended way to go.
• How should I trim the green beans?Just snap off the ends or use a knife to cut them for a neat appearance.
• How do I prevent the garlic from burning?To keep the garlic from burning, cook it on low heat after almost finishing the green beans.
• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?Certainly, you can make it a few hours ahead of time and then warm it up, but the beans are at their best when made fresh and served immediately. The reheat factor is all about even temperatures and moisture, so be sure to cover the dish with foil to trap steam if you’re warming it in the oven.

Garlic Green Beans Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Green beans: Substitute alongside asparagus or broccolini for a change of texture and flavor.
Substitutes for olive oil: Use avocado oil or coconut oil.
Garlic: Substitute with garlic powder or shallots for a mellower taste.
Use sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. Both have different mineral profiles from regular table salt.
Lemon juice: Use lime juice or a splash of white wine vinegar for a different kind of zing.

Pro Tips

1. Blanch Perfectly: To ensure perfectly blanched green beans that retain their vibrant color and crisp texture, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the boiling water. This helps maintain their bright green hue.