Description
A quick and flavorful sauteed green beans recipe featuring fresh garlic, toasted pine nuts, tangy lemon, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a healthy side dish, it combines tender green beans with a delightful garlic-lemon dressing and crunchy nuts for texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 12 ounces microwavable bag snipped green beans
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Oils and Fats
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Other
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Microwave Green Beans: Pierce the bag of green beans and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Remove from microwave and set aside to cool slightly.
- Toast Pine Nuts: Heat a large skillet over medium heat without oil. Add the pine nuts and stir continuously until they turn golden brown, being careful to avoid burning. Immediately remove pine nuts from skillet and place them into a separate bowl to stop cooking.
- Heat Olive Oil and Cook Garlic: In the same skillet, add olive oil and heat over medium. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned. Watch carefully to prevent splattering and burning.
- Saute Green Beans: Add the microwaved green beans to the skillet with the garlic oil. Stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat, tossing so the beans are well coated and start to brown on most sides.
- Add Flavorings and Nuts: Remove skillet from heat. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, grated Parmesan, and the toasted pine nuts. Toss everything together to evenly combine flavors.
- Season to Taste: Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the beans and toss again. Taste a green bean and adjust seasoning with additional salt and/or pepper as desired.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy this flavorful and crunchy green bean side dish immediately.
Notes
- Microwaving the green beans first reduces overall cooking time and preserves their bright color.
- Toast pine nuts carefully on medium heat; they burn easily and quickly.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best bright, tangy flavor.
- Grated fresh Parmesan adds a savory, salty richness to balance the lemon and pine nuts.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, especially if Parmesan cheese is salty.
- This dish is best served fresh while warm and crunchy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sauteed green beans, garlic green beans, lemon green beans, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan green beans, quick side dish, healthy vegetable recipe
