Here’s a simple and versatile recipe for Green Beans — tender, flavorful, and easy to prepare as a side dish.
🥗 Green Beans
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
- 1 lb (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: lemon zest, sliced almonds, or crushed red pepper flakes for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Blanch the Green Beans (Optional for Extra Tenderness)
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add green beans and cook 2–3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
- Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking.
2️⃣ Sauté or Steam
Sauté Method:
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add green beans and toss 3–5 minutes until tender-crisp.
Steam Method:
- Place green beans in a steamer basket over boiling water.
- Cover and steam 5–7 minutes until tender-crisp.
3️⃣ Season & Serve
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Optional: sprinkle with lemon zest, toasted almonds, or red pepper flakes.
- Serve as a side with chicken, beef, or fish.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Garlic butter green beans: Toss with melted butter and sautéed garlic.
- Almondine style: Add toasted sliced almonds and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Bacon twist: Sauté green beans with chopped bacon for a smoky flavor.
- Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
- Make ahead: Blanch and store in the fridge; reheat by sautéing before serving.
I can also provide a restaurant-style green beans recipe with tender-crisp texture, garlic-butter flavor, and optional toasted almonds for crunch that’s elegant enough for special dinners.
Do you want me to give that elevated version?
