These simple pan-tossed green beans are loaded with bold and bright flavors for a simple take on fresh green beans at the dinner table. Hints of zesty, vibrant flavor and simple seasoning make these easy sautéed green beans with lemon and garlic a delicious, healthy vegetable side dish to put out for any occasion.
While these incredible, fresh, and simple green beans come bursting with flavor, I can’t quite take all the credit for them! My older brother Richie taught me how to make these easy restaurant-inspired garlic green beans many years ago, and I haven’t stopped making them since…
A Restaurant-Inspired Side Dish Comes TO Life…
He learned how to make them back in the kitchen at one of his favorite rustic Italian restaurants here in Chicago. When came back home, he passed on to me this great method of making fresh, zippy green beans a few holidays back.
He would toss fresh green beans in the pan over high heat, letting the skins brown, blister, and char in some spots with good pinches of sea salt + pepper, olive oil, and lots of fresh lemon… I remember being surprised that the green beans were still slightly crunchy inside while being treated with such heat.
He managed to keep the integrity and texture of the green beans while completely elevating the flavors all around. This kinda blew my mind! And, so, an entirely new way of making green beans (for me, at least!) was born.
The additions of wine, almonds, and zest, however, became a small way of making Richie’s already great restaurant-inspired recipe a little more my own.
While optional, I think the wine adds tons of flavor and character to this already gorgeous and vibrant fresh sautéed green bean side dish.
Make Easy Sautéed Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic
A quick mix of dry white wine, fruity olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and pinches of lemon zest are all you need to really wake up these beautiful and bright green beans!
What makes Richie’s easy green bean recipe so tasty is the first step of the cooking process. Letting the green beans hit a hot skillet over medium heat in a little olive oil. This will brown their skins in different spots. It creates a wonderful flavor in the finished green beans.
Once they hit the heat and get happy, splashes of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic make everything pop. Additionally, white wine adds a hint of sophisticated and slow cooked flavor that rounds everything out in this easy recipe.
Serve vibrant green beans as a side dish for that Christmas dinner party throughout the holiday season. Make these zippy green beans as a Thanksgiving dinner side dish with roasted turkey!
Serve Sautéed Green Beans as a Thanksgiving or Holiday Side Dish
They would even make a great Easter side dish for that honey ham or lamb. This delicious recipe for simple sautéed green beans really does make a great side dish for any festive holiday meal.
Make these lemon garlic green beans over the summer with grilled soy sauce and brown sugar salmon fillets!
Serve up this sauteed green beans recipe alongside easy roast chicken thighs for a simple weeknight dinner.
Make Sautéed Green Beans with Lemon as a Versatile Dinner Side Dish
Serve this easy veggie side dish with lemon dill baked salmon. The options are truly endless… We always need that healthy pop of green veggies on the side to really brighten up that meal with the perfect side dish and this is it! We’ll toss these sautéed green beans with lemon and garlic together in a few simple steps.
Add Green Beans To A Wide Skillet
To get this easy sautéed green beans recipe started, we’ll drizzle some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your fresh green beans into the hot skillet. They’ll immediately turn bright green color!
Toss around the fresh green beans until the skins have begun to brown and form small char spots from the heat of the pan. Continue cooking through until green beans have become slightly tender but still crunchy inside, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Season Sautéed Green Beans and Add Fresh Lemon Juice and garlic
Season with with pinches of coarse salt and black pepper to desired taste. Sprinkle in the fresh lemon zest along with the fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Add the minced garlic to the pan. Stir in to combine, about 1-2 minutes or until garlic is just becoming fragrant.
Now splash in a small amount of white wine or cooking wine (about 1/4 cup) plus another drizzle of olive oil. Adjust the heat so that the minced garlic doesn’t burn. Continue to stir everything together, bringing the liquids in the pan to a light simmer.
Simmer, Cover, and Cook A Few Minutes…
Once simmering, immediately lower the heat and cover. Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes (or longer, if desired) to let the green beans infuse with the seasonings, lemon, garlic, and wine flavor. Cook covered until green beans are slightly tender but still firm inside (or to desired tenderness).
Toss Green Beans with Almonds and Serve Warm
Finish by tossing in sliced or slivered almonds for crunch and stir to combine. Top with grated fresh parmesan cheese, if desired. Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm as a delicious side dish with your favorite family dinners. Enjoy this simple recipe with a variety of different foods. It truly is a versatile side dish!
The lemony, garlic, and white wine flavors complement many different foods and will make a boldly delicious and healthy side dish for any occasion!
Zesty Sautéed Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Fresh Green Beans - washed and trimmed
- ¼ cup Dry White Wine - Optional but highly recommended
- ½ tsp Coarse Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper - or season to desired taste
- Fresh Lemon Zest - from one lemon
- Fresh Lemon Juice - from about half a lemon
- 2 oz Bag of Sliced Almonds
- 2 tbsp Good Fruity Olive Oil
Instructions
- Toss the green beans into a hot skillet with olive oil. Toss around until the skins on some of the green beans have begun to brown from the heat of the pan and green beans have become slightly tender but still crunchy inside, about 5 to 8 minutes.Â
- Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle in the lemon zest along with the fresh squeezed lemon juice. Add the minced garlic to the pan and continue stirring and cooking until garlic just starts to become fragrant, about 1 to 2 more minutes.
- Now splash in the white wine plus another little drizzle of olive oil. Adjust the heat so that the minced garlic doesn’t burn and continue to stir everything together, bringing the liquid in the pan to a light simmer, another 2 to 3 more minutes.
- Lower the heat and cover. Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes to let the green beans infuse with the lemon, garlic, and wine flavor until green beans are slightly tender (or to desired tenderness). Taste and adjust seasonings one more, if desired.
- When cooking time is up, toss in sliced or slivered almonds for crunch and stir to combine. Top with grated fresh parmesan cheese if desired or a little more lemon zest. Serve sautéed green beans warm as a side dish or complement to any holiday meal.
