How to Make the Perfect Garlic Butter Green Beans
American · Easy · 17 min · 4 servings
Tender crisp green beans tossed in a simple garlic butter sauce and finished with lemon. This five ingredient side dish comes together in under 20 minutes.
Why this recipe works
This Garlic Butter Green Beans recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 17 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 95 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 lb fresh green beans trimmed
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Blanch the Green Beans
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3 minutes until bright green and just barely tender. Transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
Step 2: Drain and Dry
Drain the green beans from the ice water and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Dry beans will sear properly in the pan rather than steam.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Do not let the garlic burn as it will turn bitter.
Step 4: Saute the Green Beans
Add the dried green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Cook for 5 minutes tossing occasionally until the beans are lightly blistered and heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove from heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the green beans. Toss once more and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- fresh green beans → frozen green beans thawed and dried
- unsalted butter → olive oil for a dairy free version
- fresh parsley → fresh dill or chives for a different flavor profile
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the ice bath which causes the green beans to overcook and turn dull and mushy
- Not drying the beans after blanching which causes them to steam instead of saute
- Burning the garlic by using heat that is too high which makes the entire dish taste bitter
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 95 calories, 2g protein, 8g carbs, 7g fat, 3g fiber.
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