Savory Garlic Butter Green Beans
A quick and flavorful side dish featuring tender green beans sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed Trim the tough ends.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter Melt in the skillet.
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced Adjust quantity to taste.
- to taste Salt
- to taste Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley For garnish.
- 1 squeeze fresh lemon juice Optional for added brightness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by washing and trimming the green beans. Cut off the tough ends and ensure they're all roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Boil a pot of salted water and add the green beans. Blanch them for about 3-4 minutes until they become bright green but still crisp. Drain and plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking.
- In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the blanched green beans to the skillet, tossing them in the garlic butter sauce. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- For an extra zing, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and toss everything to combine. Then remove from heat.
- Serve warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Notes
Avoid overcooking the beans to maintain a crisp texture. Customize by adding red pepper flakes for heat or soy sauce for a different flavor profile. You can blanch the beans ahead of time for convenience.