Print

Easy Tender Green Beans Recipe

easy tender green beans recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A simple and reliable recipe for tender, flavorful green beans with a buttery garlic sauté, perfect for beginners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for a lighter version)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more for blanching water
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Water, for blanching
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450 g) of fresh green beans thoroughly and trim the stem ends (about 5 minutes).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil by adding about 1 tablespoon of salt to 4 quarts (4 liters) of water (8-10 minutes).
  3. Blanch the green beans in the boiling water for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
  4. Drain the beans and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water for 2-3 minutes to stop cooking and preserve color. Drain thoroughly.
  5. Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Add the drained green beans to the skillet, season with ½ teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, if using. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Do not overcook the green beans to avoid mushiness. Use fresh garlic for best flavor and avoid burning it during sautéing. If butter browns too quickly, lower the heat and stir continuously. Cook in batches if pan is overcrowded. Frozen green beans can be used but reduce blanching time.

Nutrition

Keywords: green beans, tender green beans, easy green beans recipe, garlic butter green beans, quick side dish, beginner recipe

Find it online: https://milacook.com/easy-tender-green-beans-recipe-5-simple-steps-for-beginners/