Easy Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic & Toasted Almonds (Print Version)
Easy Sautéed Green Beans transform a simple vegetable into a vibrant side. Learn my quick method for tender-crisp beans with garlic and a hint of lemon.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Fresh Produce
01 -
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
02 -
1 lemon, for juice
→ Pantry Staples
03 -
2 tbsp olive oil
04 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
→ Flavor Enhancers
06 -
1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
07 -
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
→ Finishing Touches
08 -
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get those green beans ready. I always give them a good rinse under cold water, then snap off the tough ends. Some people like to 'string' them, but honestly, with modern green beans, I rarely find that necessary. Just a quick snap, and they're good to go! This is where I sometimes get distracted and leave a few stragglers with their ends still on, oops.
02 -
Now, for that vibrant green color! Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop your prepared green beans in for just 2-3 minutes. You want them to be tender-crisp, not mushy. This step is key for that gorgeous hue. Immediately drain them and plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking. This is a step I used to skip, thinking it was too much fuss, but trust me, it makes all the difference in texture and color. Don't be like past-me!
03 -
While your beans are chilling, grab a small, dry skillet and toast your sliced almonds over medium-low heat. Keep an eye on them, because they go from perfectly golden to burnt in a blink! Stir them frequently until they're fragrant and lightly browned. The smell is absolutely divine! Once done, immediately transfer them to a plate so they don't keep cooking in the hot pan. I've definitely learned this the hard way!
04 -
In a large skillet, heat your olive oil over medium heat. Once it's shimmering, add your minced garlic. Sauté for about 30-60 seconds, just until it's fragrant. You don't want it to brown, or it'll get bitter. This is where the magic starts to happen, that incredible garlicky aroma filling the kitchen!
05 -
Add the blanched and drained green beans to the skillet with the garlic. Increase the heat slightly to medium-high. Sauté for another 3-5 minutes, tossing frequently, until the beans are heated through and have a slight char in spots. This gives them a lovely depth of flavor. I like them with a little bit of 'character' on them, you know? Just don't let them get sad and limp!
06 -
Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze in that fresh lemon juice, season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss everything together one last time. Sprinkle with those beautifully toasted sliced almonds. The final result should be vibrant, tender-crisp, and smell absolutely incredible. Serve immediately and enjoy!
# Notes:
01 -
Blanching green beans in salted water makes them vibrant and tender-crisp every time.
02 -
For quick weeknight meals, you can blanch the beans a day ahead and store them in the fridge.
03 -
If you don't have almonds, toasted pecans or walnuts make a great substitute for crunch.
04 -
Always finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice; it brightens the whole dish up!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large pot
02 -
large skillet
03 -
small dry skillet
04 -
colander
05 -
tongs
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 150
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 10g
Protein: 4g