Garlic Butter Green Beans Recipe
Made in about 15 minutes, this Garlic Butter Green Beans is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or on any night of the week.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans aka string beans, ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt + more for seasoning the boiling water
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Place 6 cups of water and 2 tablespoons salt in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cover and bring it to a boil.
- Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice and water. Line a sheet pan with a few sheets of paper towel. Set them aside.
- Carefully add the green beans into the boiling water. Cook until crisp and tender, 5 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon or a spider strainer, transfer the green beans into the ice water. Let them cool to room temperature completely for about 5 minutes. Drain and then transfer on to the sheet pan lined with paper towels. Dry as much as you can.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet (10 or 12 inch) over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds.
- Add in the green beans and gently stir to make sure they are coated with the butter and garlic mixture. Sautee, turning often, for 2-3 minutes or until green beans are softened but still tender.
- If preferred, toss in the lemon zest at the last minute. Transfer the beans on a plate and serve.
Video
Notes
- French Green Beans: I made this recipe with regular green beans, but if you use French beans (aka haricots verts), blanch them for no more than 2 minutes, as they are usually thinner and have a more delicate texture.
- Make ahead: To make green beans ahead for a crowd, parboil them a day ahead, dry them completely, and store them in the fridge in an airtight container. Then, right before serving, heat the butter and garlic in a large skillet. Add the green beans and stir until cooked through and thoroughly coated in the butter mixture.
- Store: If you have any leftover green beans, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Transfer the leftover green beans to a skillet, add a splash of water, and cook, stirring often, until it is warmed to your liking.
- Double the recipe: Whether you’re cooking green bean recipes for Thanksgiving dinner or a party potluck, it never hurts to make extras. You can easily double (or triple!) this easy green bean recipe to feed a crowd.
Nutrition
Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 958IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
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