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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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
Wash and trim the green beans by snipping off the stem ends.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3–4 minutes until they are tender-crisp and bright green.
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.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat them in the garlic and oil.
Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice, tossing the green beans to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Transfer the green beans to a serving dish and garnish with optional chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
410 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.0 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.8 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1211 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.4 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.3 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.3 g | ||
| Protein | 8.8 g | 18% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 195 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 5.1 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 1041 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
