Description
Elevate your meals with perfectly cooked French green beans, also known as haricots verts. This quick and easy recipe combines tender green beans with garlic, olive oil, and a hint of lemon zest for a side dish that’s fresh, flavorful, and irresistibly vibrant.
Ingredients
Scale
- 🟢 1 pound French green beans, trimmed
- 🟢 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons toasted almonds
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: Wash the green beans thoroughly and trim the ends.
- Blanch the Beans:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the green beans and cook for 2–3 minutes until bright green.
- Transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain and pat dry.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Combine and Cook:
- Add the blanched beans to the skillet. Toss them in the garlic oil and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp.
- Add Finishing Touches:
- Stir in lemon zest, salt, and pepper. For extra richness, add butter or red pepper flakes. Garnish with toasted almonds if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra crisp beans, avoid over-blanching and ensure they cool fully in the ice bath.
- Feel free to adjust seasonings and add herbs like thyme or parsley for a different flavor profile.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Blanching and Sautéing
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1/4 pound cooked green beans
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: French green beans, haricots verts, garlic green beans, sautéed green beans