Description
Green beans are a simple, versatile vegetable side dish with a fresh, crisp texture and vibrant color, easily prepared by steaming, sautéing, roasting, or blanching for a nutritious addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: lemon zest or juice, toasted almonds, or red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the green beans and cook for 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Drain the beans and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and preserve their bright green color.
- Drain again and pat dry.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the green beans and toss to coat, cooking for 3-4 minutes until heated through and slightly tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: finish with a squeeze of lemon juice, lemon zest, toasted almonds, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Roast green beans with olive oil and garlic for a caramelized flavor.
- Toss with toasted sesame seeds and soy sauce for an Asian-inspired side.
- Mix with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for a summery salad.
- Steam and drizzle with hollandaise or mustard vinaigrette for an elegant dish.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling and sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
