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Fresh Lemon Garlic Green Beans

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A quick and easy bright side dish featuring crisp-tender green beans sautéed with fresh garlic and zesty lemon for a refreshing pop of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and washed
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (sea salt or kosher salt preferred)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Water for blanching

Instructions

  1. Rinse and trim 1 pound of fresh green beans (about 5 minutes).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 quarts) to a rolling boil. Add green beans and blanch for 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and just tender but still crisp.
  3. Immediately transfer green beans to a large bowl of ice water to stop cooking and preserve color. Let sit for 2 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  4. While beans blanch, zest and juice 1 medium lemon. Mince 3 garlic cloves finely.
  5. Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Add drained green beans to skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat with garlic oil.
  7. Season with ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Add lemon zest and juice, stir well, and cook for another 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for best flavor and crunch.

Notes

Do not overcook green beans to maintain their snap and vibrant color. Shock beans in ice water immediately after blanching to stop cooking. Avoid browning garlic to prevent bitterness. Add lemon juice near the end to avoid bitterness. Adjust seasoning to taste. Optional red pepper flakes add subtle heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: green beans, lemon garlic green beans, easy side dish, quick vegetable recipe, healthy side, vegan, gluten-free

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/fresh-lemon-garlic-green-beans-recipe-easy-bright-side-dish-ideas/