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- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon lemon zest - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons toasted almonds, chopped (for garnish) - A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) Fresh green beans are the star of this dish. Choose bright, firm beans for the best flavor. The unsalted butter adds richness, while minced garlic gives a robust taste. Lemon zest and juice brighten the dish, making it lively and fresh. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper for balance. Toasted almonds add crunch and a nutty flavor, which enhances the overall dish. If you like some heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes works well. This simple list of ingredients combines to create a delightful side that pairs well with many meals. - Bring salted water to a boil. - Add trimmed green beans and blanch for 3-4 minutes. - Transfer to an ice bath to halt cooking. First, get a large pot and fill it with water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Turn the heat on high and wait for it to boil. Once the water is bubbling, add your fresh green beans. You will want to watch them closely. Blanching means cooking them just enough. In about 3 to 4 minutes, they should turn bright green and feel a bit tender. Now, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl with cold water and ice. As soon as the beans are done, move them to the ice bath. This stops the cooking and keeps them crisp. Let them chill for about 5 minutes, then drain and set aside. - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. - Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Next, grab a large skillet and place it on medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt. You want it to become bubbly but not brown. Once the butter melts, toss in the minced garlic. Stir it around for about 1-2 minutes. You will know it’s ready when it smells great and turns slightly golden. Be careful; burnt garlic has a bitter taste. - Toss blanched beans in garlic butter. - Sauté to meld flavors. Now it’s time to add the blanched green beans to the skillet. Gently toss them in the garlic butter. Make sure every bean gets a nice coat of that tasty butter. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together. You want the beans to heat through but not overcook. - Stir in lemon zest and juice. - Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). For a bright twist, add the lemon zest and juice at this stage. Stir well to combine. This adds a fresh zing that makes the dish pop. Next, sprinkle in some salt and pepper. If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir it all together for about a minute. - Transfer green beans to a serving dish. - Garnish with chopped toasted almonds. Finally, scoop the garlic butter green beans into a serving dish. To make it look extra special, sprinkle chopped toasted almonds on top. This adds a nice crunch and a bit of flavor. Your garlic butter green beans are now ready to impress! To make great garlic butter, avoid burning the garlic. Burnt garlic turns bitter. Cook it just until it smells good and turns light golden. You can adjust the garlic amount based on your taste. If you love garlic, add more. If you prefer a milder flavor, use less. When picking green beans, fresh is best, but frozen works too. Fresh green beans should be bright green and firm. Look for beans without blemishes or wrinkles. If you choose frozen beans, ensure they are not icy or clumped together. This shows they are fresh and not thawed multiple times. To make your green beans even better, try adding spices or herbs. A bit of garlic powder or a sprinkle of thyme can boost flavor. For crunch, consider adding crushed walnuts or sunflower seeds. These add texture and flavor, making your dish even more enjoyable. {{image_2}} You can easily make a vegan version of garlic butter green beans. Just replace the butter with olive oil or vegan butter. This keeps it rich and tasty without any animal products. Use the same amount of oil or vegan butter as the recipe calls for. The garlic will still shine through, giving you that same delicious flavor. If you like some heat, try making spicy garlic butter green beans. Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of chili powder to the garlic butter. Start with a pinch and taste as you go. This will give your green beans a nice kick. It’s a fun twist that adds depth to the dish. For a fresh take, you can turn these green beans into a salad. After cooking, let them cool. Toss the beans with a vinaigrette dressing. This makes a light and zesty dish, perfect for warm days. You can add other veggies or nuts to enhance the salad. The contrast of warm beans and cool dressing is delightful! To keep your leftover garlic butter green beans fresh, store them in airtight containers. This helps maintain their flavor and crispness. Place them in the fridge right after they cool down. They will stay good for about 3 to 5 days. If you want to freeze blanched green beans, follow these tips. First, cool them completely after blanching. Then, place them in freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. This helps prevent freezer burn. Blanched green beans can stay fresh for up to 6 months in the freezer. To reheat your green beans without losing taste or texture, use a skillet. Heat a small amount of butter over medium heat. Add the green beans and stir for a few minutes until warm. You can also microwave them, but be careful not to overcook. A minute or two on medium power is often enough. This way, you can enjoy your garlic butter green beans just like when they were fresh! You can tell green beans are done when they are bright green and tender. They should have a slight crunch. Overcooking makes them mushy and dull in color. Yes, you can use frozen green beans. They save time and are easy to find. Just blanch them for a few minutes as you would with fresh beans. Adjust cooking time as needed since they may cook faster. Garlic butter green beans pair well with many dishes. Here are some ideas: - Grilled chicken or steak - Baked fish - Roasted pork - Quinoa or rice - Mashed potatoes These options create a delicious and balanced meal. Enjoy your cooking! This blog post covered a simple, tasty way to cook green beans. We started with fresh ingredients and shared easy steps from blanching to sautéing. I shared tips on picking the best beans and balancing flavors. You learned variations, like vegan options and how to store leftovers. In the end, this dish brings great taste and nutrition to your table. Enjoy your meal and have fun customizing it!

Garlic Butter Green Beans

Elevate your side dish game with these delicious Garlic Butter Green Beans! This simple recipe combines perfectly blanched green beans with a rich garlic butter sauce, finished with a splash of lemon for brightness and textured almonds for crunch. Perfect for any meal in just 20 minutes! Click to explore this flavorful recipe that’s sure to impress your family and friends at the dinner table!
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Ingredients
  

1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons toasted almonds, chopped (for garnish)

A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions
 

Blanch the Green Beans: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and blanch for 3-4 minutes, until they are bright green and slightly tender.

    Ice Bath: Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl filled with cold water and ice. Once the green beans are done blanching, immediately transfer them to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let them cool for about 5 minutes, then drain and set aside.

      Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

        Sauté the Beans: Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss to coat the beans evenly. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the green beans to heat through.

          Add Lemon Flavor: Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice, then season the mixture with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Cook for an additional minute, tossing to combine.

            Serve: Transfer the green beans to a serving dish and sprinkle with chopped toasted almonds for added crunch and garnish.

              Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4