Garlic Green Beans
These vibrant, tender-crisp green beans are sautéed with plenty of aromatic garlic for a simple yet elegant side dish that pairs perfectly with any meal.
Ingredients
- •1 pound (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- •2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- •1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- •1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water nearby.
- 2
Blanch the green beans in the boiling water for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender, then immediately transfer them to the ice water to stop the cooking process.
- 3
Drain the beans well and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- 4
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- 5
Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- 6
Add the blanched green beans to the skillet and toss well to coat in the garlic oil.
- 7
Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the beans are heated through and slightly blistered in spots.
- 8
Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and toss with the fresh lemon juice before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- To save time, you can blanch the green beans up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to sauté.
- If you prefer a softer bean, increase the blanching time by 2 minutes.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle with toasted slivered almonds or a pinch of lemon zest just before serving.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished green beans should be bright, vibrant green with a tender-crisp texture, smelling intensely of toasted garlic and fresh citrus.