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
Scale
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
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.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (about 100g)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
