Sautéed green beans are a delicious side dish, featuring crisp-tender beans infused with savory garlic, and optionally garnished with sliced almonds or zesty lemon zest.
Optional: sliced almonds or lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add olive oil to the skillet and let it heat up.
Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender-crisp. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of tenderness.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
Season the sautéed green beans with salt and pepper to taste.
If desired, garnish with sliced almonds or a sprinkle of lemon zest for added flavor and texture.
Notes
Green Beans: Choose firm, vibrant green beans with no blemishes or brown spots. They should snap when bent. Store them in the refrigerator in a produce bag for up to one week.
Heat Level: Cooking on medium-high heat helps in achieving a nice sear on the green beans without burning them.
Garlic Timing: Adding garlic towards the end of the cooking process ensures it imparts flavor without getting burnt, which can introduce bitterness.
Tenderness: The goal is to get green beans that are tender yet still have a bit of crunch. Adjust cooking time according to personal preference.