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Garlic Butter Green Beans Recipe

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4.1 from 6 reviews

This Garlic Butter Green Beans recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to enjoy fresh green beans sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect as a healthy side dish, it features tender-crisp green beans enhanced with aromatic garlic, buttery richness, and an optional hint of lemon zest for brightness.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Vegetables

  • 1 pound fresh green beans (aka string beans, ends trimmed)

Seasonings & Aromatics

  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (+ more for seasoning the boiling water)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest – Optional

Fats

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Boil the water: Place 6 cups of water and 2 tablespoons salt in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cover and bring the water to a boil to prepare for blanching the green beans.
  2. Prepare ice bath and drying setup: Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Line a sheet pan with several layers of paper towels. Set both aside for the next steps.
  3. Blanch the green beans: Carefully add the trimmed green beans into the boiling salted water. Cook for about 5 minutes until the beans are crisp-tender but still bright green.
  4. Cool and dry the beans: Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to transfer the green beans from the boiling water into the ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Let them cool completely for about 5 minutes. Then drain and spread the beans on the paper towel-lined sheet pan to dry thoroughly.
  5. Sauté garlic in butter: Melt the butter in a large 10- or 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Sauté the green beans: Add the dried green beans to the skillet and gently stir to coat them evenly with the garlic butter. Continue to sauté, turning often, for 2 to 3 minutes until the beans are softened yet still tender-crisp.
  7. Add lemon zest and serve: If desired, sprinkle the lemon zest over the green beans in the last minute of cooking to add a fresh citrus note. Transfer the green beans to a serving plate and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Blanching the green beans before sautéing helps retain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
  • Be careful not to overcook the garlic when sautéing as it can turn bitter if browned.
  • Lemon zest is optional but adds a lovely bright flavor that complements the garlic butter.
  • You can use salted or unsalted butter, adjust salt accordingly in the recipe.
  • To make this dish vegan, substitute butter with olive oil or a vegan butter alternative.

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/garlic-butter-green-beans-recipe/