Ridiculously Easy Lemony Green Beans
Brighten up your dinner table with these Ridiculously Easy Lemony Green Beans—a quick, healthy, and flavorful side dish that's perfect for any occasion. With just a handful of fresh ingredients, including tender-crisp green beans, zesty lemon, and aromatic garlic, this recipe delivers a vibrant burst of flavor in under 20 minutes. The beans are first blanched to retain their vivid green color and crisp texture, then tossed in a skillet with garlic-infused olive oil, fresh lemon zest, and a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes. It's finished with a drizzle of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley for a refreshing, citrusy finish. Ideal for weeknight dinners, holiday spreads, or meal prep, these lemony green beans are a simple yet elegant side that pairs beautifully with everything from roasted chicken to grilled fish.
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Ingredients
- 450 grams fresh green beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.25 teaspoon optional: red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon optional: chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Step 1
Wash and trim the green beans by snipping off the stem ends.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 3
Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3–4 minutes until they are tender-crisp and bright green.
Step 4
Immediately drain and transfer the green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Let sit for a minute, then drain and set aside.
Step 5
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 6
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 7
Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat them in the garlic and oil.
Step 8
Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Step 9
Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice, tossing the green beans to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Step 10
Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 11
Transfer the green beans to a serving dish and garnish with optional chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Step 12
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (508.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 409.7 |
| Total Fat 29.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 4.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1211.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 36.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 16.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 15.3g | |
| Protein 8.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 194.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 5.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1041.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories