Lemon Green Beans Side (Printable Version)

Crisp green beans with zesty lemon and garlic create a bright, refreshing side for any meal.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

→ Aromatics

02 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

→ Dressing

03 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 tsp lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish (optional)

08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
09 - 2 tbsp toasted sliced almonds

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp-tender and bright green.
02 - Drain the green beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to halt cooking and preserve their vibrant color. Drain thoroughly.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant without browning.
04 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet. Toss to coat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine evenly.
06 - Transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and toasted almonds if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • Takes less time than boiling water, but tastes like you fussed over it.
  • The lemon brightens everything else on your plate without overpowering anything.
  • Works warm or cold, so it's perfect for meal prep or last-minute entertaining.
02 -
  • Don't skip the ice bath—it's the secret to keeping them bright green and crisp, not dull and soft.
  • Taste the beans before you add salt; sometimes the cooking water seasons them more than you expect, so you don't want to over-salt.
03 -
  • Toast your own almonds in a dry skillet for a minute before using them; it wakes up their flavor in a way that makes a real difference.
  • Use a microplane zester to get fine, delicate lemon zest that distributes evenly instead of sitting in chunks.

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