The Best Green Beans Ever Recipe

These savory The Best Green Beans Ever are made with tender-crisp green beans, aromatic garlic, crunchy toasted almonds, and a touch of butter and lemon juice. The result is a flavorful, simple, and incredibly quick side dish that will complement any meal. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner, a holiday feast, or a simple summer meal and serve 4-6 people.

The Best Green Beans Ever Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced or slivered almonds
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

How To Make The Best Green Beans Ever

1. Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp and bright green. This process is called blanching and it helps to lock in their color and texture. Immediately drain the beans and transfer them to an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
2. Sauté the aromatics and almonds: Melt the butter in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and almonds. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and the almonds are lightly toasted. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Finish the dish: Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with the garlic and almonds. Toss everything together to coat the beans evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes to heat the beans through.
4. Season and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the beans and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Toss one more time and serve immediately while hot.

Recipe Tips

• Blanching is key: Do not skip the blanching step. It ensures that the green beans are perfectly cooked and vibrantly green before you finish them in the pan, and prevents them from becoming mushy.
• Use fresh ingredients: Fresh green beans and fresh garlic will make the biggest difference in the final flavor. Pre-minced garlic or frozen beans will not have the same bright taste.
• Don’t burn the garlic: Garlic can go from perfectly fragrant to burnt and bitter very quickly. Keep a close eye on it and stir constantly when it’s in the hot pan.
• Toast the nuts: Toasting the almonds in the butter before adding the beans deepens their flavor and gives them a fantastic, fragrant crunch that complements the dish perfectly.

What To Serve Green Beans

These simple yet elegant green beans are a fantastic side dish for almost any main course. They are perfect alongside roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or a seared steak. During the holidays, they make a much-loved alternative to a green bean casserole, pairing beautifully with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

How To Store Green Beans Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can quickly sauté them in a pan or warm them in the microwave.
• Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze cooked green beans, as they will lose their tender-crisp texture and become soft and watery upon thawing. It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh.

The Best Green Beans Ever Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 110 kcal
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg
• Sodium: 210mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 7g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 3g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh? While fresh green beans are recommended for the best texture, you can use frozen green beans. You can skip the blanching step, but you should thaw them first and pat them dry to remove excess moisture before adding them to the hot pan.
• What if I don’t have fresh garlic? If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Add it to the butter and almonds at the very end of the toasting step, just before you add the beans, to prevent it from burning.
• Can I use a different kind of nut? Yes, you can substitute the almonds with other nuts. Toasted pecans or walnuts would also provide a delicious crunch and a complementary flavor to the green beans.

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