The Best Green Beans

Transform your green bean side dish into a showstopper with "The Best Green Beans," a quick and flavorful recipe perfect for any meal. These fresh, vibrant green beans are blanched to bring out their color and crisp-tender texture before being sautéed with fragrant garlic and a splash of zesty lemon juice. Toasted slivered almonds add a delightful crunch, while a garnish of optional lemon zest elevates this dish with a burst of citrus brightness. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is an ideal choice for busy weeknights or elegant holiday feasts. Whether you're searching for healthy sides or simple green bean recipes, this dish combines ease, freshness, and irresistible flavor with every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 86/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 quarter cup slivered almonds
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch them for 3-4 minutes, until they are bright green and slightly tender.

Step 2

Drain the green beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toast them, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove the almonds and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Step 5

Add the blanched green beans to the skillet. Toss to coat them in the garlic and oil, and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

Step 6

Stir in the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to evenly distribute the flavors.

Step 7

Remove from heat and transfer the green beans to a serving dish. Sprinkle the toasted almonds on top and garnish with lemon zest, if desired.

Step 8

Serve immediately and enjoy your vibrant and delicious green beans!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	667.7 grams (667.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1177

Total Fat 95.30g	122%
Saturated Fat 9.10g	45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1210mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate 65.90g	24%
Dietary Fiber 27.20g	97%
Total Sugars 20.50g
Protein 38.40g	77%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 474mg	36%
Iron 10mg	57%
Potassium 2033mg	43%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.3%

Protein: 12.0%

Carbs: 20.7%