Looking to jazz up your dinner routine? Whip up this Easy Green Bean Recipe in just minutes! With only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to spare, this recipe guarantees a burst of flavor that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to add a pop of freshness to your plate tonight!
Easy Green Beans are a versatile side dish that can be enjoyed year-round, but they tend to be especially popular during the holiday season. Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other festive gathering, these flavorful green beans make a delightful addition to any holiday table. Their vibrant color and zesty flavor perfectly complement traditional holiday feasts, earning them a spot as a beloved favorite among family and friends during special occasions.
Jump to:
🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Bold Flavor Blend: The combination of buttery garlic and tangy lemon-pepper seasoning takes green beans to a whole new level of deliciousness.
- Quick and Easy Fix: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe is a go-to solution for satisfying cravings without the fuss.
- Veggie Delight: Even veggie skeptics won't be able to resist these flavor-packed green beans, making it a standout side dish for any meal.
🥘 Ingredients
The ingredients in this recipe are essential for giving the green beans their flavor boost. The butter adds richness, garlic brings its aromatic punch, and the lemon-pepper seasoning adds that zing we all love.
- Fresh green beans
- Butter
- Garlic
- Lemon-pepper seasoning
- Salt
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Boil green beans until slightly soft, about 3-5 minutes
Step 2: Drain beans and return to skillet
Step 3: Add butter, melt for 1-2 minutes
Step 4: Add minced garlic, cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes
Step 5: Season with lemon-pepper and salt
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tip
- For an extra burst of flavor, try adding a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice just before serving to brighten up the dish and enhance its freshness
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Ensure that all ingredients used, including the lemon-pepper seasoning, are certified gluten-free to accommodate individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
- Herb Infusion: Infuse the butter with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil for an aromatic twist that adds depth and complexity to the dish.
- Citrus Zest: Enhance the lemon flavor by adding freshly grated lemon zest to the dish, providing a bright and zesty kick that elevates the overall taste.
- Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs or chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, over the finished dish for added texture and a subtle nutty flavor contrast.
🍴 Equipment
- Large skillet
- Knife and cutting board for trimming and mincing garlic
- Strainer or colander for draining the green beans
- Measuring spoons for accurate measurements of seasoning
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can substitute frozen green beans for fresh ones in this recipe. However, since frozen green beans are already blanched, you can skip the initial boiling step and simply add them directly to the skillet after thawing. Adjust the cooking time as needed until they are heated through.
Absolutely! You can blanch the green beans ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook. Additionally, you can prepare the garlic butter mixture in advance and keep it refrigerated. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat the garlic butter in the skillet, add the green beans, and cook until heated through.
Certainly! Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon-pepper seasoning and salt according to your liking. You can also add other seasonings or herbs such as crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, or thyme to customize the flavor of the dish. Just remember to taste and adjust as you go to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Heat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
- Freezing: Blanch, cool, then freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags.
🍷 Wine Pairing
Its bright acidity and citrus notes complement the garlic and lemon-pepper seasoning in the dish, enhancing the overall freshness of the green beans without overpowering their delicate flavors.
👩🏼🍳 Top Tips
- Trimming Green Beans: Ensure to trim the ends of the green beans before cooking to promote even cooking and a more appealing presentation.
- Garlic Preparation: Finely mince or crush garlic cloves to release their flavor fully, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
- Avoid Overcooking: Be careful not to overcook the green beans; simmer them just until tender to preserve their texture and vibrant color.
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Easy Green Bean Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Meghan It Up.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Knife and cutting board for trimming and mincing garlic
- Strainer or colander for draining the green beans
- Measuring spoons for accurate measurements of seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans trimmed and snapped in half
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ⅛ teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning or more to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place the green beans into a large skillet and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the beans simmer until they just start to soften, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drain the green beans and return them to the skillet.
- Add the butter to the skillet and stir until it's melted, which typically takes 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until it becomes tender and fragrant, usually around 1 to 2 minutes.
- Season the green beans with lemon-pepper seasoning and salt according to your taste preferences.
Video
Notes
Reheating: Heat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
Freezing: Blanch, cool, then freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags.
🌡️ Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Meghan
This is such a flavorful and easy side that even a beginner cook can ace!