This Seasoned Green Bean Recipe is the perfect side dish to so many meals. They are crisp and bright and the ideal compliment for all of your fish-forward main dishes.
The lemony garlic butter in these green beans is perfectly balanced, and the toasted sliced almonds and parmesan cheese take the flavor profile right over the top.
The cooking process takes just 15 minutes from sautéing to plating and even your pickiest eater will be asking for seconds.
What you need to make this recipe:
Before we get to the step by step directions, a few notes about the ingredients:
Green beans: the recipe allows for either frozen or fresh green beans. Frozen are crisp and delicious all year round, so that's my first choice. If using fresh green beans, plan to add a few tablespoons of water or low sodium stock to the pot when cooking.
Almonds: sliced, toasted almonds are ideal in this recipe. Substitute slivered or diced toasted almonds or toasted pine nuts, if needed.
Vegan: if you want to make this side dish vegan, use olive oil in place of butter and substitute nutritional yeast for the parmesan garnish.
Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.
Step by step instructions:
Step 1: Start the Garlic Party
Melt butter in a large pot or skillet (with a lid) over medium heat. Add grated or diced garlic cloves and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Add Seasoning and Beans
Add salt, pepper, lemon juice and green beans to the pot.
Toss the ingredients to coat the beans, then cover the pot and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. I prefer beans to still be a bit crisp and bright green. Feel free to cook the beans to your preferred texture.
Remove the lid and stir the beans occasionally to monitor cooking. (Cook time will vary based on the size of your green beans, so monitor and remove from heat when finished).
Step 3: Finishing Touches
Once beans are nearly cooked through, remove lid and add toasted almond slices, lemon zest and diced parsley. Toss to combine.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Plate the seasoned green beans and garnish with shredded Parmesan cheese.
Need more unforgettable side dish recipes?
- Roasted Green Cauliflower
- Brussels Sprouts Gratin (Low Carb, Gluten Free!)
- Marinated Grilled Asparagus
- Mediterranean Tossed Salad
FAQ's and Serving Suggestions:
Depending on what you're serving with your beans, you have a variety of options. Some of my favorite seasonings for green beans include garlic, lemon and butter (like this recipe), roasted in the oven with a good pinch of salt and black pepper, or quickly sautéed with sesame oil, soy sauce and a bit of chili crisp.
My usual choice for this simple side dish is a bag of frozen haricot verts, or thin, whole French green beans. They cook quickly and bring consistently crisp, fresh flavors to this dish. If using fresh beans, string beans or even the flat Italian green beans would be good options for this vegetable side dish. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the beans (Italian beans may take 2-3 minutes longer), so keep an eye on the clock and test the beans before removing them from the heat. Also plan to add a couple of tablespoons of water or stock to the pot if using fresh beans.
This easy recipe brings elevated flavors and presentation that compliment Baked Panko Cod, Seafood Pasta with White Wine Garlic Sauce and Lemon Butter Baked Walleye.
Absolutely - I would recommend a quality extra virgin olive oil as a substitute for butter. This is a simple recipe so each ingredient has to bring a lot of flavor. As such, I recommend you avoid neutral oils that don't offer much flavor or nuance. Then omit the parmesan, use a vegan version, or substitute nutritional yeast.
To store, place leftover green beans in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days. To reheat, add a tablespoon of butter or stock to a pot and heat over medium until the beans are warmed through.
Garlic Lemon Seasoned Green Beans
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6
Description
When you're looking for a standout side dish, reach for these crispy, buttery green beans. They'll never let you down!
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter
3 garlic cloves, grated
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, more to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
1 pound thin whole green beans, fresh or frozen
⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, diced
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
Instructions
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To begin, melt butter in a skillet or Dutch oven (with a lid). Add the grated or minced garlic and stir, cooking until fragrant, about a minute.
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Add salt, pepper, lemon juice and green beans to the pan. Toss to coat, then cover and cook until beans are crisp, but cooked through, about 10 minutes Remove the lid and stir the beans occasionally to monitor cooking. (Cook time will vary based on the size of your green beans, so monitor and remove from heat when finished).
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When beans are cooked through, remove from heat and add toasted almonds, lemon zest and diced parsley. Toss to coat. If using fresh beans, string beans or even the flat Italian green beans would be good options for this vegetable side dish. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the beans (Italian beans may take 2-3 minutes longer), so keep an eye on the clock and test the beans before removing them from the heat. Also plan to add a couple of tablespoons of water or stock to the pot if using fresh beans.
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Plate the green beans and top with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
If using fresh beans, string beans or even the flat Italian green beans would be good options for this vegetable side dish. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the beans (Italian beans may take 2-3 minutes longer), so keep an eye on the clock and test the beans before removing them from the heat. Also plan to add a couple of tablespoons of water or stock to the pot if using fresh beans.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: side dish, vegetarian
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American, French
Dory
Turned out great! Made these for our Christmas Eve seafood dinner. Was a little skeptical about using frozen beans, but they had great flavor and texture. Definitely adding to our regular rotation. Thanks!
Christina Jolam
So glad you loved them! They're one of my all-time favorite sides. Appreciate you coming back to leave a helpful review!
Moxie
My husband's favourite side dish is green bean almondine, but I thought I'd change it up! I made these beans for his birthday dinner (to go along with some shrimp oh gratin) and they were delicious! We both love the addition of the almonds and the lemon juice and zest give the beans a real fresh forward flavour. Lovely!
Christina Jolam
Love to hear this, Moxie! The perfect special occasion side dish. Appreciate you coming back to leave such a helpful review!