Savory Garlic Butter Green Beans Recipe
Savory garlic butter green beans are a quick and flavorful side dish featuring fresh green beans sautéed in rich butter and aromatic garlic, finished with a bright splash of lemon juice and zest. This easy recipe blends buttery richness and fresh citrus, creating a healthy, vibrant accompaniment perfect for grilled meats, roasted poultry, or vegetarian meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until vibrant green and slightly tender. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cool, drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted and gently bubbling, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant and lightly golden, taking care not to let it burn.
- Sauté the Beans: Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss to coat the beans evenly. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender-crisp and fully infused with the garlic butter flavor.
- Finish with Lemon: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest, tossing the green beans to ensure all are evenly coated. The lemon adds brightness and balances the buttery richness.
- Serve: Transfer the savory garlic butter green beans to a serving dish, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and enjoy immediately as a delicious, vibrant side dish.
Notes
- To avoid burning garlic, cook it over medium heat and watch closely, stirring frequently.
- For best texture and flavor, use fresh green beans in season; if using frozen, thaw and dry completely before cooking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding red pepper flakes for spice or fresh herbs like thyme or oregano for variation.
- This recipe can be made vegan by substituting butter with olive oil or vegan butter.
- Blanching the green beans preserves their vibrant color and crispness before sautéing.
Keywords: garlic butter green beans, sautéed green beans, easy side dish, lemon green beans, healthy vegetable side, quick green beans recipe
Find it online: https://lucabites.com/savory-garlic-butter-green-beans-recipe/
