Fresh Garlic Sauteed Green Beans: Quick Zesty Side (Print Version)

Garlic Sauteed Green Beans: Whip up this quick & easy side! Enjoy crisp-tender beans with savory garlic flavor. Your perfect weeknight veggie.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 12 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan

# Ingredients:

→ Main Stars

01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Flavor Powerhouses

03 - 4-5 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or more, I won't judge!)
04 - 1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground is best)

→ Finishing Touches

06 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

→ Optional Twists

07 - Pinch of red pepper flakes

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those green beans ready. I always give them a good rinse under cold water, then snap or trim off the tough ends. You want them looking neat and tidy. Honestly, this is where I sometimes get lazy and just snap them, leaving a few stragglers. It’s fine! What matters is getting them clean and ready for their garlicky destiny. I usually lay them out on a clean towel to dry a bit while I get everything else ready for these <strong>Garlic Sauteed Green Beans</strong>.
02 - Grab a large skillet, something with a good surface area, and set it over medium heat. Pour in your olive oil. You want it shimmering, not smoking. I've definitely made the mistake of getting the pan too hot and burning the oil, which makes everything taste… not great. So, medium heat, friends! Let it warm up gently, getting ready to welcome those beans.
03 - Once the oil is warm, toss in your trimmed green beans. Spread them out in a single layer as much as possible – this helps them cook evenly and get that lovely char. Let them cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You're looking for them to turn bright green and start to get a little tender-crisp. You'll hear that lovely sizzle and smell the oil warming up; it's the start of something good!
04 - Now for the star of the show! Push the beans to one side of the pan and add your minced garlic to the empty spot. Let it cook for about 30 seconds to a minute, just until it's fragrant. Don't let it brown or burn! I've burned garlic more times than I care to admit, and it makes the whole dish bitter. So keep an eye on it! Then, stir the garlic into the green beans, coating everything in that amazing aroma.
05 - Season the <strong>Garlic Sauteed Green Beans</strong> generously with salt and black pepper. Give it all a good toss to distribute the seasonings. Let it cook for another 1-2 minutes, just to let those flavors meld. This is where I sometimes add a pinch of red pepper flakes if I'm feeling spicy. Taste a bean – it should be tender enough to eat easily but still have a satisfying bite. Adjust seasonings as needed.
06 - Right before serving, take the pan off the heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice all over the <strong>Garlic Sauteed Green Beans</strong>. This brightens the whole dish, cutting through the richness of the garlic and oil. It’s a little touch that makes a huge difference, honestly. Give it one final stir and serve immediately. They look vibrant, smell incredible, and taste even better.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan; work in batches if you have too many beans, or they'll steam instead of sauté.
02 - Keep a close eye on the garlic; it burns fast, and burned garlic means a bitter dish, which I learned the hard way!
03 - Fresh lemon juice at the very end is non-negotiable for that bright, fresh finish.
04 - Reheat leftovers in a skillet for best results, avoiding the microwave.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - cutting board
03 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 90 kcal
Total Fat: 7g
Total Carbohydrate: 6g
Protein: 2g

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