These beans will pair nicely with our creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce! Learning to love green beans hasn’t always been easy for me. My mind still goes to the overcooked and under-salted mush from my university cafeteria. It took a while for green beans to become a vegetable I would choose for our family dinners. But I have had enough green beans to know that there are fantastic versions out there. Fresh green beans, especially when in season, can be dressed up in all sorts of delicious ways. They are especially good with lemon and garlic, like in this lemon butter green beans recipe. Fresh beans get a brightened up with zesty lemon butter sauce, making this a side dish that will bring a bit of sparkle to any meal!
Lemon Butter Sauce
The magic in this recipe comes from the lemon butter. The lemon with a bit of added garlic brings a bit of zing to the beans. The butter adds a decedent creaminess to the sauce. The best part is that the sauce is incredibly simple to make, and can be used in other recipes as well. Start by sautéing the garlic over low heat for a few minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Once done add a squeeze of lemon juice with a couple of lemon slices and the butter. Give it all a stir to combine, and you are done! Once you have the sauce mastered, you can enjoy it over any combination of vegetables. I’m a huge fan of eating it with potatoes! The recipe is easily adaptable as well, such as by adding grated Parmesan.
Serving suggestions
Humble green beans are just about perfect as a side dish, with plenty of freshness and crunch to add a meal. My favourite pairing is to serve them next to a hearty and creamy dishes for a balance of flavours and textures. It’s a particularly good option with saucy meat dishes, like beef or meatball stroganoff, or chicken with garlic mushroom sauce. But I also love it with hearty chunks of meat like pot roast or a stew. I’ve also happily served these beans as a side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They add a lovely bit of colour and zest to the table, which is always welcome.
Storage and leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days. They will reheat nicely in a microwave, although some crispness may be lost along the way. If you don’t want to eat them as they are, try adding to an omelette or salad.
More fresh and flavourful side dishes
Braised Red Cabbage Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli with Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette Roasted Carrots with Garlicky Lemon Tahini Sauce Grilled Asparagus with Romesco Sauce and Burrata
