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- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed for perfection - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature - 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced to release their essence - 1 teaspoon zesty lemon peel, freshly grated - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, brightens the flavor - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick) - Salt and black pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds, for an added crunch and garnish Let’s dive into these ingredients. Fresh green beans are the star. They add a bright color and crisp texture. I love using beans that are firm and vibrant. The unsalted butter brings a rich, creamy base to this dish. It melts beautifully and coats each green bean. Next, we have garlic. I use four cloves, finely minced. Garlic adds a strong, savory punch. The smell alone gets my mouth watering! The lemon peel and juice brighten the dish. They add a fresh, zesty tone that balances the richness of the butter. Red pepper flakes are optional. I use them for a hint of heat. If you prefer a milder dish, feel free to skip this step. Salt and black pepper enhance all the flavors. Adjust these according to your taste. Finally, toasted sliced almonds add crunch. They give the dish a lovely texture and a nutty flavor. Together, these ingredients create a simple yet flavorful dish that is sure to impress at any meal. {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Rinse and trim green beans: Start by rinsing the green beans under cold water. This step ensures they are clean. After rinsing, trim the ends to make them look neat. 2. Blanching process: Next, fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the trimmed green beans. Blanch them for 3-4 minutes. They should turn bright green but stay tender-crisp. 3. Ice-water shock: After blanching, drain the beans. Quickly plunge them into ice water. This halts cooking and keeps their color vibrant. Let them sit for 2 minutes in the ice water, then drain again. Set the beans aside to dry. 1. Melting butter and sautéing garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Watch closely as it bubbles but does not brown. 2. Combining flavors with lemon zest and juice: Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. You want it fragrant but not burnt. Next, mix in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. If you like spice, add red pepper flakes now. 3. Tossing in green beans and final cooking: Carefully add the blanched green beans to the skillet. Toss them in the garlic butter mixture until they are well-coated. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through. Taste and season with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor. 4. Serving: Once done, transfer the green beans to a dish. Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds on top for a nice crunch. Enjoy your tasty garlic butter green beans! To ensure your garlic is not burnt, watch your heat. Use medium heat when melting the butter. This helps keep the garlic fragrant and tasty. Sauté it for just 1-2 minutes. If you smell a strong aroma, it’s time to move on. Burnt garlic can spoil the dish. When it comes to seasoning, taste as you go. Start with a pinch of salt and black pepper. After tossing the green beans, adjust the seasoning for your taste. A little more lemon juice can brighten the flavor. If you like heat, add more red pepper flakes. For a stylish look, serve the garlic butter green beans in a shallow dish. This lets their vibrant green color shine. You can also layer the beans for a full effect. Add garnishes for extra appeal. Toasted sliced almonds add a nice crunch and a nutty taste. Fresh parsley brings a pop of color and freshness. Just sprinkle a few slivers on top before serving. It makes the dish even more inviting! Pro Tips Freshness Matters: Always select vibrant green beans that snap easily. Fresh beans will give you the best flavor and texture. Butter Temperature: Ensure your butter is at room temperature before melting. This helps it incorporate smoothly with the garlic. Perfect Blanching: Don’t skip the ice bath after blanching; it locks in color and crunch. The beans should remain vibrant green and crisp. Customize Your Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference. You can always add more, but it’s hard to take it out! {{image_4}} To make garlic butter green beans even more exciting, try these options: - Different nut options for garnish: While sliced almonds add a nice crunch, you can swap them for toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts. Each nut brings a unique flavor and texture to the dish. - Adding other spices: For a flavor twist, consider adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. A pinch of smoked paprika can add a lovely depth. You can adjust this dish to fit your dietary needs: - Making it dairy-free: Replace the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter. Both options keep the dish rich while making it dairy-free. - Alternative cooking methods: If you prefer, you can steam the green beans instead of blanching them. This method helps retain more nutrients and keeps their bright color. Just steam them until they are tender-crisp, then proceed with the recipe as usual. To keep your garlic butter green beans fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent moisture loss and keeps them tasty. Make sure to cool them first before sealing the container. The maximum shelf life in the fridge is about 3 days. After that, the beans can lose their crispness and flavor. When reheating green beans, use a skillet over low heat. This method warms them gently and keeps their texture. You can also use the microwave. Place beans in a bowl, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 30 seconds. Check and heat more if needed. Avoid overheating to keep the green beans crisp and not mushy. Yes, you can use frozen green beans. They are a great time-saver. Just remember, they may not be as crisp as fresh ones. To use frozen beans, skip the blanching step. Simply heat them in the skillet with the garlic butter until warmed through. This ensures they absorb that lovely garlic flavor. To add some heat, mix in red pepper flakes. Start with 1/2 teaspoon for a mild kick. If you want it spicier, add more to taste. Another option is to use a pinch of cayenne pepper. This adds a nice warmth without overpowering the garlic. Garlic butter green beans pair well with many dishes. They are great next to grilled chicken or fish. You can also serve them with roasted meats. For a vegetarian meal, try them with quinoa or rice. They add color and flavor to any plate! This blog post covered how to make delicious garlic butter green beans. We went through key ingredients and simple steps for cooking them perfectly. You learned tips for making your dish shine and variations to fit different diets. Remember to properly store leftovers and reheat them for the best taste. Garlic butter green beans are a tasty side that can wow at any meal. Enjoy experimenting with this recipe and make it your own. Keep cooking and have fun in the kitchen!

Garlic Butter Green Beans Delight

A vibrant and flavorful dish featuring fresh green beans sautéed in garlic butter, enhanced with lemon and topped with toasted almonds.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon zesty lemon peel, freshly grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds

Instructions
 

  • Start by thoroughly rinsing the fresh green beans under cold running water, ensuring they are clean. Then, trim off the ends to create uniform pieces.
  • In a large pot, pour in water and add a generous amount of salt, bringing it to a vigorous boil over high heat. Once boiling, carefully add the trimmed green beans and blanch them for 3-4 minutes until they take on a vibrant green hue and remain tender-crisp.
  • Immediately after blanching, drain the green beans and plunge them into a bowl filled with ice water. This quick chill halts the cooking process, preserving their bright color and crispness. After 2 minutes, drain the beans once more and set them aside to dry.
  • In a spacious skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, allowing it to become bubbly without browning.
  • Add the finely minced garlic to the skillet with the melted butter and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic becomes fragrant—be cautious not to let it burn.
  • Next, introduce the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and, if desired, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes for an extra layer of flavor. Stir to combine all the ingredients harmoniously.
  • Carefully add the blanched green beans to the skillet. Toss them gently in the garlic butter mixture until they are well-coated, allowing them to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated thoroughly.
  • Taste your delicious mixture and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the dish.
  • Once the green beans are infused with flavor, remove them from heat. Transfer the garlicky green beans to a stylish serving dish and generously sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds for a delightful crunch.

Notes

For an elegant touch, serve in a shallow dish and garnish with extra almonds and parsley.
Keyword butter, garlic, green beans, vegetable side