Sauteed Green Beans With Lemon, Garlic, and Parmesan

Green beans don’t have to be soggy and bland. These bright and fresh tasting sauteed green beans with lemon, garlic, and parmesan are the perfect side dish for almost any meal! 

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 Sauteed Green Beans With Lemon, Garlic, and Parmesan

As a southern gal, I grew up eating green beans in one way only… cooked til they’re soft with onions and bacon, usually also with potatoes. If I’m being honest, I LOVE a good mushy green bean recipe but now that I’m older I’ve expanded my horizons a bit and eat my green beans cooked a number of different ways.

This sauteed green beans recipe is one of my now favorite ways to serve them! I LOVE leaving them slightly crisp but charring the outsides for flavor. The parmesan, lemon, and garlic add a freshness that’s hard to beat!

These are a great side dish and they make me feel like it’s spring or summer all year long. 

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS 

• Fresh: This side dish has such a fresh flavor regardless of whether you use fresh or frozen green beans.

• Flavorful: The lemon, garlic, and parmesan make this dish feel like a sunny day. It’s hard to think of a better trio of flavors for a fresh tasting side dish.

• Versatile: You can adjust seasonings to your preference too! I like to add a little spice with a pinch of red pepper flakes (on my plate – my kids aren’t a fan). Sometimes I like to substitute the lemon juice for balsamic glaze as well. YUM!

• Healthy: Green beans are a great side dish option as they add fiber and nutrients to your meal.

• Under 30 minutes: This is a quick side dish that won’t keep you in the kitchen all night long! 

INGREDIENTS IN SAUTEED GREEN BEANS WITH LEMON:

• Green beans: I love french style green beans. You can use fresh or frozen in this recipe! Both are delicious. 

• Garlic: Feel free to use freshly minced garlic, jarred garlic, or even garlic powder in a pinch. 

• Oil: Use any mild flavored oil of choice. I prefer avocado oil. 

• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a nice tang to this dish. For best results, use freshly squeezed juice. 

• Parmesan: If possible, use shredded or shaved “fresh” parmesan cheese, not the jarred powder stuff. 

• Seasonings: I keep it simple with salt and pepper, but you can add red pepper flakes for a kick! The garlic, parmesan cheese, and lemon add such flavor that you can keep it simple here.

HOW TO COOK SAUTEED GREEN BEANS WITH LEMON, GARLIC, AND PARMESAN

Fresh Green Beans: 

1. Wash and trim green beans.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil on the stovetop over medium to medium high heat.
3. Add green beans, salt, and pepper to the pan.
4. Chop garlic and add to the pan. I love this garlic press to make chopping garlic easier.
5. Saute’ to the doneness of your preference. I like a slight char, approximately 10-12 minutes. You can cook with the lid on for a portion of the time for a softer texture.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Add lemon juice, parmesan, toss, and serve.

Frozen Green Beans:

1. Microwave steam in bag green beans for approximately 2 minutes to thaw slightly. (Do not cook according to package instructions)
2. Meanwhile, heat oil on the stovetop over medium to medium high heat.
3. Add green beans, salt, and pepper to the pan.
4. Chop garlic and add to the pan. I love this garlic press to make chopping garlic easier.
5. Saute’ to the doneness of your preference. I like a slight char, approximately 10-12 minutes. You can cook with the lid on for a portion of the time for a softer texture.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Add lemon juice, parmesan, toss, and serve.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it can be served with almost any main course. I love it with roasted chicken and grilled salmon the most. This could be considered be a weird combination, but my kids gobble them up as a side when I serve spaghetti with meat sauce (their fave!).

STORAGE

I prefer to eat these fresh but they can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheated on the stove or in the microwave.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does adding lemon juice to green beans do?

The lemon juice in these green beans adds a fresh and tart flavor. You can also add lemon zest for extra lemony flavor.

Should you boil green beans before sauteeing?

You definitely can steam your green beans for a few minutes prior to sauteeing for a softer end result. I prefer the green beans in this recipe to be a bit crisp with charred edges so I don’t personally choose to.

Should you add lemon juice during or after cooking?

It’s best to add the lemon juice after cooking.

Why are my sauteed green beans tough?

They could be tough if they’re undercooked. You can add the lid and reduce the temperature to cook them to a softer consistency.

ANOTHER GREAT GREEN BEAN RECIPE YOU’LL LOVE

If you love a good green bean side, you can check out my southern style baby potatoes and green beans recipe here.

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