How to Make Delicious Garlic Sauteed Green Beans
A simple and flavorful side dish featuring crisp-tender green beans, toasted almonds, and a fresh squeeze of lemon for a bright, zesty finish. Perfectly balanced and easy to make!
Equipment
- 1 cast-iron pan - or large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil (or more as needed)
- 2 lbs green beans (fresh)
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- ½ lemon (cut into wedges)
- ¼ tsp. garlic salt ( or to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp. garlic powder (or more per taste)
Instructions
- If parboiling beans, bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add beans and boil for 3 minutes then plunge into ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry well. It is important that they are well dried to prevent steaming vs. sautéing!
- Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil to pan and heat on medium to medium high.
- Add 2 lbs green beans, sprinkle with ¼ tsp. garlic salt, and pepper to taste, and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If wanting a little more heat, add a shake or two of red pepper flakes. If not parboiling, times will be longer.
- About halfway through cooking (about 5 min.) add ½ cup slivered almonds to pan. Allow them to toast alongside the beans, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning. When you see the almonds beginning to get darker in color, sprinkle 1 Tbsp. garlic powder and toss to coat beans well. *** Note - I add the garlic powder at this point as it tends to burn if you add it too soon. Continue to sauté stirring more frequently until beans are crisp tender, about 5 minutes longer.
- At this point, check for doneness to ensure beans are tender with a slight crunch. Check seasonings - if you want it spicier, add more pepper. If you want it more garlicky, add some more powder! *** The reason I use garlic powder and not fresh garlic is because the garlic will burn and become bitter, which will ruin the flavor of these delicious sauteed green beans!
- Remove from heat and squeeze wedge from ½ lemon over the top of beans. This step adds a touch of acid, which helps all the flavors pop!
- Finally, transfer the sautéed green beans into a serving bowl or dish and serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Notes
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- Choose Fresh Green Bean - Select firm, crisp, and vibrant green beans and trim ends by snapping or cutting them off to ensure even cooking.
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- Preheat the Pan - Heat the pan over medium heat before adding the oil. A well-heated pan ensures that the beans sear properly and maintain their crispness.
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- Use the Right Pan - A large, wide cast-iron skillet or sauté pan works best. This allows the green beans to cook evenly without crowding, ensuring they stay crisp.
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- Cook in Batches if Necessary - If you have a large quantity of beans, consider cooking them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can cause steaming instead of sautéing, leading to soggy beans.
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- Add Almonds at the Right Time - Add slivered almonds halfway through cooking so they have time to toast without burning. Stir occasionally to ensure even browning.
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- Don’t Overcook the Beans - Green beans should be crisp-tender. Keep an eye on them and taste as you go to ensure they don’t become too soft. A slight crunch is ideal.
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- Season Carefully - Season the green beans with garlic salt, garlic powder and pepper during cooking. Taste them before finishing, and finish with a squeeze of lemon over the beans just before serving. The acidity from the lemon helps balance the richness of the almonds and enhances the overall flavor.
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- Add Optional Flavors - For extra spice, you can also include a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sautéing process.
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- Toast the Almonds - Toasting the almonds is crucial for enhancing their flavor and providing a satisfying crunch.
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- Serve Immediately - Sautéed green beans are best served immediately after cooking to enjoy their crispness and fresh flavors.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Calories: 99kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.001gSodium: 68mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 784IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 2mg
Disclosure
The provided nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline rather than an exact representation of the nutritional content of the prepared dish. Individual nutritional needs and dietary preferences may vary, and we encourage our readers to use their discretion and consult with a qualified healthcare professional or nutritionist for personalized dietary advice.
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