Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 2–3 minutes, just until they turn bright green and slightly tender.
- Drain the beans and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and keep them crisp. Drain again and pat dry.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it burn!).
- Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic oil. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and just tender-crisp.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and enjoy immediately!
Would you like a version for meal prep, or maybe a suggestion for what to pair these with? Just let me know!