Garlic Butter Green Beans Flavorful and Simple Side

by Olivia on January 1, 2025

If you’re looking for a quick and tasty side dish, Garlic Butter Green Beans are perfect. These bright green beans coated in rich garlic butter are easy to make and full of flavor! With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a vibrant dish that complements any meal. Join me as I share my simple steps to create this mouthwatering side that will have everyone coming back for more!

$To make Garlic Butter Green Beans, you need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick) - 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted (optional for garnish) These ingredients come together to create a bright and buttery dish. The fresh green beans give a crisp texture. The garlic adds depth, while lemon brightens the flavor. You can adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. If you like heat, the red pepper flakes are a fun touch. Lastly, the sliced almonds add a nice crunch. This combination makes for a side dish everyone will love. {{ingredient_image_2}} - Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. - Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. - Carefully add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water. - Boil the green beans for 4-5 minutes. They should turn bright green and stay crisp. - While they boil, prepare an ice bath. Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. - Once the green beans finish cooking, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the ice bath. This stops the cooking. - In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Make sure it spreads evenly. - When the butter is melted and sizzling, add the minced garlic. - Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes. Stir it often until it becomes fragrant and golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic. - Drain the green beans from the ice bath and add them to the skillet. - Toss the green beans gently in the garlic butter. Make sure each bean gets coated. - Sprinkle in the lemon zest and pour the lemon juice over the green beans. - Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like spice. - Toss everything again so the flavors mix well. - Let the green beans sauté in the garlic butter for 2-3 more minutes. - They should heat through and look shiny from the butter. - Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the green beans to a serving dish. - If you wish, sprinkle toasted sliced almonds on top for crunch and beauty. To get the best green beans, look for bright green, firm ones. They should be crisp when you snap them. Avoid beans with brown spots or shriveled ends. After you pick them, use an ice bath right away. This bath stops cooking and keeps their bright color. Fill a bowl with cold water and ice. When you finish boiling the beans, drop them in the ice bath for a few minutes. Garlic can turn bitter if it burns. To avoid this, keep your heat low to medium. Watch it closely while it cooks. Add the minced garlic once the butter is bubbling. Stir often for one to two minutes. You want it golden, not dark brown. Timing is key. Remove it from heat as soon as it smells good. To serve your green beans, choose a white dish. The bright color of the beans will pop against the white. For a bit of crunch and flair, add toasted sliced almonds on top. This adds texture and makes the dish look fancy. A little lemon zest can also add a nice finish. Pro Tips Blanching for Bright Color: Blanching the green beans in boiling water and then shocking them in an ice bath helps to preserve their vibrant green color and crisp texture. Fresh Garlic Matters: Using fresh garlic instead of pre-minced or powdered garlic will enhance the flavor of the dish significantly, providing a more aromatic and flavorful experience. Adjusting Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder flavor, you can omit the red pepper flakes, or adjust the amount according to your taste for a customized spicy kick. Toast the Almonds: Toasting the sliced almonds before garnishing adds a delightful crunch and enhances their nutty flavor, making your dish more satisfying. {{image_4}} You can boost your Garlic Butter Green Beans by adding protein. Chicken and shrimp make great choices. For chicken, use thin strips. Cook them in the garlic butter first. Then, toss in the green beans. For shrimp, add them after the garlic is fragrant. Cook until they turn pink, then mix in the green beans. This adds flavor and makes the dish more filling. You can change the taste of your green beans with herbs. Try fresh thyme, parsley, or basil. Just chop them finely and add them to the garlic butter. Each herb brings a new flavor. You could also mix in cheese for a creamy touch. Feta or Parmesan work well. Sprinkle it on top before serving for added richness and taste. If you want a healthier option, swap butter for olive oil. Use the same amount of oil and heat it in the skillet. The taste will change a bit, but it will still be delicious. For a quicker option, you can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. Use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder when you add the oil. This keeps the flavor strong without extra work. To keep your garlic butter green beans fresh, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container to seal in the flavors. The beans will stay good for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you want to save space, divide them into smaller portions. This makes it easy to grab a quick side dish later. When reheating, I recommend using a skillet. Heat it over medium-low heat and add a touch of olive oil. This method warms the beans evenly and helps keep them crisp. Avoid using a microwave if you can. Microwaving can make the beans soggy. Stir the beans gently while they heat. This keeps them from clumping together or losing texture. Enjoy your delicious green beans just as they were meant to be! To make Garlic Butter Green Beans vegan, swap butter for vegan butter or olive oil. Use garlic and seasonings as usual. You can add lemon juice for freshness. This keeps the dish tasty and plant-based. Yes, you can use frozen green beans. Just cook them according to the package instructions. Keep in mind they may not have the same crispness as fresh beans. Garlic Butter Green Beans pair well with many dishes. Try serving them with grilled chicken, steak, or fish. They also work great with pasta or rice for a filling meal. To prevent mushy green beans, cook them quickly. Boil for only 4-5 minutes until bright green. Then, move them to an ice bath right away. This stops the cooking and keeps them crisp. This post covered how to make tasty Garlic Butter Green Beans. We highlighted fresh ingredients and step-by-step cooking tips. By boiling and sautéing, you create a delicious dish that's full of flavor. Remember the ice bath to keep your green beans crisp. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste with different herbs or proteins. You can also easily store leftovers for later enjoyment. I hope you feel ready to try this simple yet delightful recipe for your meals. Enjoy your cooking!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Freshness of Ingredients: This recipe highlights the vibrant color and crispness of fresh green beans, making it a perfect side dish for any meal.
Quick and Easy: With a total preparation time of just 20 minutes, this dish is ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of garlic, lemon, and butter creates a deliciously rich flavor that elevates the green beans to a whole new level.
Customizable: This recipe allows for personal touches, such as adding red pepper flakes for heat or toasted almonds for crunch, making it versatile for different tastes.

Ingredients

To make Garlic Butter Green Beans, you need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

– 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

– 4 cloves garlic, finely minced

– 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

– 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

– ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)

– 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted (optional for garnish)

These ingredients come together to create a bright and buttery dish. The fresh green beans give a crisp texture. The garlic adds depth, while lemon brightens the flavor. You can adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. If you like heat, the red pepper flakes are a fun touch. Lastly, the sliced almonds add a nice crunch. This combination makes for a side dish everyone will love.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Green Beans

– Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt.

– Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

– Carefully add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water.

– Boil the green beans for 4-5 minutes. They should turn bright green and stay crisp.

– While they boil, prepare an ice bath. Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice.

– Once the green beans finish cooking, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the ice bath. This stops the cooking.

Cooking the Garlic Butter

– In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Make sure it spreads evenly.

– When the butter is melted and sizzling, add the minced garlic.

– Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes. Stir it often until it becomes fragrant and golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Combining the Ingredients

– Drain the green beans from the ice bath and add them to the skillet.

– Toss the green beans gently in the garlic butter. Make sure each bean gets coated.

– Sprinkle in the lemon zest and pour the lemon juice over the green beans.

– Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like spice.

– Toss everything again so the flavors mix well.

Final Cooking Steps

– Let the green beans sauté in the garlic butter for 2-3 more minutes.

– They should heat through and look shiny from the butter.

– Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the green beans to a serving dish.

– If you wish, sprinkle toasted sliced almonds on top for crunch and beauty.

Tips & Tricks

Best Practices for Freshness

To get the best green beans, look for bright green, firm ones. They should be crisp when you snap them. Avoid beans with brown spots or shriveled ends. After you pick them, use an ice bath right away. This bath stops cooking and keeps their bright color. Fill a bowl with cold water and ice. When you finish boiling the beans, drop them in the ice bath for a few minutes.

Sautéing Without Burning Garlic

Garlic can turn bitter if it burns. To avoid this, keep your heat low to medium. Watch it closely while it cooks. Add the minced garlic once the butter is bubbling. Stir often for one to two minutes. You want it golden, not dark brown. Timing is key. Remove it from heat as soon as it smells good.

Presentation Tips

To serve your green beans, choose a white dish. The bright color of the beans will pop against the white. For a bit of crunch and flair, add toasted sliced almonds on top. This adds texture and makes the dish look fancy. A little lemon zest can also add a nice finish.

Pro Tips

Blanching for Bright Color: Blanching the green beans in boiling water and then shocking them in an ice bath helps to preserve their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
Fresh Garlic Matters: Using fresh garlic instead of pre-minced or powdered garlic will enhance the flavor of the dish significantly, providing a more aromatic and flavorful experience.
Adjusting Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder flavor, you can omit the red pepper flakes, or adjust the amount according to your taste for a customized spicy kick.
Toast the Almonds: Toasting the sliced almonds before garnishing adds a delightful crunch and enhances their nutty flavor, making your dish more satisfying.

Variations

Adding Protein

You can boost your Garlic Butter Green Beans by adding protein. Chicken and shrimp make great choices. For chicken, use thin strips. Cook them in the garlic butter first. Then, toss in the green beans. For shrimp, add them after the garlic is fragrant. Cook until they turn pink, then mix in the green beans. This adds flavor and makes the dish more filling.

Flavor Enhancements

You can change the taste of your green beans with herbs. Try fresh thyme, parsley, or basil. Just chop them finely and add them to the garlic butter. Each herb brings a new flavor. You could also mix in cheese for a creamy touch. Feta or Parmesan work well. Sprinkle it on top before serving for added richness and taste.

Alternative Ingredients

If you want a healthier option, swap butter for olive oil. Use the same amount of oil and heat it in the skillet. The taste will change a bit, but it will still be delicious. For a quicker option, you can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. Use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder when you add the oil. This keeps the flavor strong without extra work.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your garlic butter green beans fresh, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container to seal in the flavors. The beans will stay good for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you want to save space, divide them into smaller portions. This makes it easy to grab a quick side dish later.

Reheating Recommendations

When reheating, I recommend using a skillet. Heat it over medium-low heat and add a touch of olive oil. This method warms the beans evenly and helps keep them crisp. Avoid using a microwave if you can. Microwaving can make the beans soggy. Stir the beans gently while they heat. This keeps them from clumping together or losing texture. Enjoy your delicious green beans just as they were meant to be!

FAQs

How do I make Garlic Butter Green Beans vegan?

To make Garlic Butter Green Beans vegan, swap butter for vegan butter or olive oil. Use garlic and seasonings as usual. You can add lemon juice for freshness. This keeps the dish tasty and plant-based.

Can I use frozen green beans instead?

Yes, you can use frozen green beans. Just cook them according to the package instructions. Keep in mind they may not have the same crispness as fresh beans.

What can I serve with Garlic Butter Green Beans?

Garlic Butter Green Beans pair well with many dishes. Try serving them with grilled chicken, steak, or fish. They also work great with pasta or rice for a filling meal.

How do I prevent green beans from getting mushy?

To prevent mushy green beans, cook them quickly. Boil for only 4-5 minutes until bright green. Then, move them to an ice bath right away. This stops the cooking and keeps them crisp.

This post covered how to make tasty Garlic Butter Green Beans. We highlighted fresh ingredients and step-by-step cooking tips. By boiling and sautéing, you create a delicious dish that’s full of flavor. Remember the ice bath to keep your green beans crisp. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste with different herbs or proteins. You can also easily store leftovers for later enjoyment. I hope you feel ready to try this simple yet delightful recipe for your meals. Enjoy your cookin

Garlic Butter Green Beans

A delicious and vibrant side dish featuring fresh green beans sautéed in garlic butter with a hint of lemon.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Begin by filling a large pot with water and adding a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, carefully introduce the trimmed green beans. Boil for 4-5 minutes, or until they become bright green and retain a tender-crisp texture.
While the green beans are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a large mixing bowl with cold water and ice. As soon as the green beans finish cooking, promptly transfer them to the ice bath using a slotted spoon to halt the cooking process and preserve their bright color.
In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat, ensuring it’s evenly distributed across the skillet.
Once the butter is melted and sizzling gently, add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and golden brown—be cautious to avoid burning it.
After draining the green beans from the ice bath, add them directly to the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss gently to ensure each bean is well-coated with the aromatic butter.
Next, sprinkle in the lemon zest and drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the green beans. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired). Toss again until the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the dish.
Allow the green beans to sauté in the garlic butter mixture for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they are heated through and glistening with flavorful butter.
Once cooked, remove the skillet from heat and transfer the green beans to a beautiful serving dish. For an extra crunch and aesthetic appeal, sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds on top before serving.

Notes

For an elegant touch, serve the green beans in a white serving bowl and arrange the almonds on top to create a contrast of textures and colors.

Keyword butter, garlic, green beans, vegetable side