If you’re craving a simple yet irresistible side dish, you’re in for a treat with this Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe takes humble green beans and turns them into a bright, buttery, tangy delight that feels special enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a weeknight. Stick with me—I’ll share all the little tricks that make these green beans taste fresh, vibrant, and downright addictive.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fresh & Vibrant Flavor: The lemon zest and juice brighten the beans without overpowering their natural sweetness.
Easy & Quick: Ready in under 10 minutes, perfect when you need a last-minute veggie side.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this every time—it’s a guaranteed favorite, even with picky eaters.
Versatile Base: Easily customize with garlic, nuts, or cheese toppings to suit your mood or occasion.

A white plate filled with bright green cooked green beans arranged in a slightly piled way, shiny with a light coating probably from oil or butter. Small bits of grated white ingredient, likely cheese or garlic, are scattered on top and some tiny specks of yellow zest add a fresh look. The background is a white marbled texture with a blurry out-of-focus yellow object in the far background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe is in its simplicity—the ingredients all shine through and come together effortlessly. When I shop for the green beans, I look for firm, brightly colored pods with no wilted spots, which makes a world of difference in taste and texture.

Fresh green beans: Freshness is key—crisp green beans blanch beautifully and soak up the lemon butter flavor.
Butter: I love using unsalted butter so I can control the seasoning perfectly.
Lemon zest: Adds an aromatic citrus punch—make sure to zest only the yellow part, not the bitter white pith.
Fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed gives the best brightness and tang—bottled juice just can’t compare.
Salt and black pepper: Season to taste; I prefer freshly cracked black pepper for a little extra kick.
Parmesan cheese: Just a sprinkle at the end adds savory depth and a lovely finishing touch.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to make it your own. Whether you want to bump up the flavor or adjust for your diet, it’s a flexible side that welcomes creativity.

Garlic-Infused: I often add a couple of minced garlic cloves to the butter right before adding the lemon zest for a savory twist.
Nutty Crunch: Toasted almonds or pine nuts sprinkled on top add delightful texture and richness.
Dairy-Free: Swap butter for olive oil and skip the parmesan for a delicious vegan version.
Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in gives a subtle heat that wakes up the whole dish.

How to Make Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe

Step 1: Blanch the Green Beans to Perfection

Start by filling a sauté pan or skillet with about ½ inch of salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans, cover the pan, and let them cook for 3 to 5 minutes. I like mine just tender enough to bite but still bright and crisp—you’ll find that timing might shift slightly depending on your stove and bean size. Keep a close eye so they don’t get mushy. Once done, drain them and immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. This cool-down trick keeps the green beans vibrant and stops them from turning dull.

Step 2: Infuse the Butter with Lemon Zest

While the beans cool, melt the butter in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Toss in the lemon zest and stir constantly for about a minute. This step is where the magic happens—the butter picks up that fresh citrus aroma and flavor, creating a luscious base for the beans. I always smell the pan at this point because it signals the perfect moment to add the green beans.

Step 3: Combine and Season

Return the cooled green beans to your pan and pour that fragrant lemon butter all over them. Add the fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground pepper, then toss gently to combine. Give everything a quick taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—sometimes, I find a touch more lemon juice really brightens it up. The key here is balance; you want the lemon to enhance, not overpower, the buttery richness and natural bean flavor.

Step 4: Finish with Parmesan and Serve

Transfer the perfectly coated green beans to a serving plate and sprinkle generously with grated parmesan cheese. It melts slightly on the warm beans adding a salty, nutty finish that ties everything together. Serve right away while warm and enjoy the fresh, buttery goodness!

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Pro Tips for Making Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe

Don’t Skip the Cold Water Bath: Cooling the beans quickly locks in that bright green color and prevents overcooking.
Use Fresh Lemon: Bottled lemon juice just lacks the lively freshness—grab a lemon and squeeze freshly.
Low and Slow with Butter: Melt the butter on medium heat so it doesn’t brown too fast; you want a silky lemon-infused sauce.
Adjust Lemon Juice Last: Always add lemon juice gradually and taste as you go to avoid overpowering the beans.

How to Serve Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe

The image shows a white plate filled with bright green green beans arranged in a loose pile. Among the green beans, there are a few lemon wedges with yellow skin and pale yellow inside, adding a pop of color. The green beans have a shiny, slightly wet texture with small grated white bits sprinkled on top. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually stick to a generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese—it’s my go-to because it adds a savory, salty contrast. Sometimes, I’ll toss on some toasted slivered almonds or a few lemon zest twists right before serving for a bit of texture and extra zing.

Side Dishes

This Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe pairs beautifully with just about any main course. You’ll find it especially fantastic alongside garlic-roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or even a hearty steak. It’s a fresh counterpoint to richer dishes, balancing your plate effortlessly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving these green beans in a pretty shallow white bowl so the vibrant color pops. Adding a lemon slice garnish or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme gives it an elegant touch that guests notice. You can even lay the beans neatly in a line on a long platter for a more formal vibe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I have leftovers, I pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavor holds up surprisingly well, though the beans soften a bit the longer they sit, so I recommend enjoying them sooner rather than later.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this recipe because the green beans lose their crispness and the butter sauce becomes a bit grainy. If you want to freeze green beans, it’s best to freeze them plain first and add the lemon butter fresh when reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the green beans in a skillet over low heat, adding a small splash of lemon juice or butter if needed to freshen up the flavor and keep things moist. Avoid microwaving if possible, since it can make the beans limp.

FAQs

Can I use frozen green beans for this Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe?

While fresh green beans are best for the bright flavor and crisp texture, you can use frozen if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure to thaw and pat them dry before blanching and cooking so they don’t get soggy.
How do I know when the green beans are done blanching?

Check by piercing a bean with a fork; it should be tender but still have a little bite—this usually happens between 3 to 5 minutes of boiling. They’ll also turn a vibrant green color during blanching.
Can I prepare the lemon butter sauce in advance?

Absolutely! The lemon butter can be made ahead and gently reheated when you’re ready to toss it with the beans. Just be careful not to overheat so the butter doesn’t separate.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?

Yes! The flavors are fresh and mild, so most kids enjoy these green beans. You can reduce the lemon juice slightly if your little ones prefer less tang.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe is one of those simple dishes that feels like a triumph every time I make it—fresh, flavorful, and easy to pull together with minimal fuss. I love sharing it because it turns a humble vegetable into something genuinely memorable. If you’re looking to add a burst of sunshine to your table, give this recipe a try. I promise you’ll be reaching for lemons and butter every week!

Lemon Butter Green Beans Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 82 reviews

Author: Jasmine
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Lemon Butter Green Beans is a simple and flavorful side dish featuring fresh green beans blanched to perfection and tossed in a zesty lemon butter sauce. Finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this recipe offers a delightful balance of bright citrus and rich butter, making it an ideal accompaniment for any meal.

Ingredients

Green Beans

1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed and ends trimmed

Lemon Butter Sauce

4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Blanch the green beans: Fill a sauté pan or frying pan with about 1/2 inch of salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water, cover, and cook until tender to the bite, about 3 to 5 minutes depending on your preferred crispness.
Cool the beans: Drain the green beans and immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them completely.
Infuse the butter: While the beans cool, melt the butter in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add the lemon zest and stir continuously, cooking for about 1 minute to infuse the butter with lemon flavor.
Combine: Return the cooled green beans to the pan with the lemon butter. Pour in the fresh lemon juice, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and toss everything together to coat the beans evenly. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Finish and serve: Transfer the lemon butter green beans to a serving plate, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top as a garnish, and serve warm.

Notes

Blanching in salted water helps retain the green beans’ vibrant color and crunch.
Cooling the beans quickly in cold water stops cooking, preserving their texture.
You can adjust the amount of lemon juice to suit your taste preferences.
For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil and omit Parmesan cheese.
This dish is best served immediately but can be reheated gently on the stove.