Lemon Garlic Green Beans (Printable Version)
Sautéed green beans with garlic, lemon zest, and crunchy almonds for a bright, easy side dish.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
03 - Zest of 1 lemon
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
→ Nuts
05 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds
→ Fats & Oils
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Seasonings
07 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 2–3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
02 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced almonds and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer almonds to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add green beans and toss to coat in the oil and garlic.
04 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes until beans are heated through.
05 - Remove from heat, sprinkle toasted almonds over the beans, and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The almonds add this incredible crunch that makes vegetables feel exciting again
- Lemon and garlic turn simple green beans into something youd actually crave
- Ready in 20 minutes but tastes like you spent way more effort
02 -
- The ice water bath stops the cooking process instantly and locks in that bright green color
- Drying the beans after blanching prevents them from steaming when you sauté them
- Room temperature lemons yield more juice. Roll them on the counter first to break down the membranes.
03 -
- Use haricots verts those thin French green beans if you want a more elegant, delicate result
- A pinch of red pepper flakes in the garlic adds subtle warmth that makes the lemon pop even more