Brighten up your main course meal with these zesty Lemon Pepper Green Beans! This one-pan recipe requires a small handful of whole-food ingredients for a healthy and delicious vegetable side, ready in under 20 minutes.
These crisp lemon green beans are the perfect flavor-packed side dish, made with butter, garlic, fresh lemon juice, bright lemon zest, black pepper, and salt. Everything is sauteéd in one pan for a no-fuss easy side dish. The balance of savory, citrus, and buttery flavors make this a standout appetizer or side that pairs well with various entrees, from grilled meat or seafood to pasta and rice.
If you have picky eaters who think simply green beans (or any veggie) are boring or tasteless, you’ll change their minds with this vibrant and aromatic recipe! Pan frying the green beans with lemon and butter infuses them with rich and bright citrus flavor and makes the texture extra tender on the inside with a tasty blistered outer layer. It’s a great dish to add veggies to family meals! If you’re looking for more green bean recipes, try my bacon wrapped green beans, crispy green bean fries, or sweet and spicy green beans.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy. All you need is 15 minutes to prepare this easy green beans recipe and everything cooks in one pan for quick prep and clean-up!
- Healthy. Lemon garlic green beans make a great low-carb vegetable dish, made with 7 simple ingredients for a nutritious meal.
- Versatile. These delicious simple green beans are a great snack on their own or go well with a variety of main course dishes.
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make this easy green beans recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Green Beans: Choose fresh green beans that are firm, plump, and bright green for the best taste and texture.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter to better control the seasoning in this recipe.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide a robust and fragrant flavor. You can also use pre-minced store-bought garlic or garlic powder in a pinch.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a bright acidic flavor that elevates these simple green beans. You can use store-bought lemon juice if needed, but the flavor won’t be as fresh.
- Lemon Zest: Adds a fragrant, refreshing aroma that enhances and balances the overall flavor.
- Black Pepper: Ground black pepper adds a slight spicy kick. If possible, use a spice grinder to grind fresh black peppercorns for the most robust flavor.
- Salt: Fine sea salt disperses best, but you can also use flaky sea salt if desired.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Green Beans
Below are photos and recipe steps to make this easy sauteéd green beans recipe at home. You will also need a cutting board, a knife or cooking scissors, a stovetop burner, and a large skillet or pan.
Prepare & Sauté Green Beans
Trim and wash the fresh green beans, then set them aside. In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the green beans and minced garlic, and sauté for 7-8 minutes, or until they are cooked but still crisp.
Add the Spices
Sprinkle the beans with the black pepper, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until well combined. Serve hot or at room temperature with a lemon wedge garnish if desired!
Serve
Enjoy lemony green beans on their own as a healthy snack or serve them as a side dish alongside other main dishes, like some of our favorite recipes below for a full-spread meal.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t overcook the green beans or they will become mushy and lose their vibrant color. Pan-fry until they are tender-crisp for the best texture.
- Trim the ends of the green beans on both sides to remove any tough or stringy bits. For easier prep, use cooking scissors to quickly snip off the ends.
- Add toppings like pine nuts, almonds, parmesan cheese, or herbs like parsley or thyme to add more flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a vegan version, use dairy-free butter or swap the butter for olive oil or avocado oil.
Lemon Green Beans FAQ
Allow leftover garlic lemon green beans to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of butter or olive oil for 2-3 minutes or until heated. Or reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated to your desired level.
Use a fine grater or zester to lightly scrape away the outer yellow layer of a fresh lemon’s peel. Be careful to avoid the white pith underneath, as it tastes bitter. Grate the lemon until you have ½ teaspoon as the recipe calls for, or until you have your desired amount. If you have leftover zest, you can use it in other recipes!
Yes, you can prepare this recipe in the oven instead of on the stovetop. Simply melt the butter and add it to a large mixing bowl with the garlic, green beans, and seasonings, and toss until well combined. Then line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spread the green bean mixture in an even layer. Roast for 15 minutes at 450ºF, toss, then cook for another 7-10 minutes, or until tender and blistered. Add the lemon juice and zest and toss to combine, then serve.
More Side Dish Recipes
Lemon Pepper Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lbs fresh green beans trimmed
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Trim and wash your fresh green beans, set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the green beans and minced garlic, and saute for 7-8 minutes, or until cooked but still crisp.
- Toss in the black pepper, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest and stir to combine. Serve!
Notes
- Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- These green beans are crisp, blistered, and full of lemon pepper flavor! Perfect for summer.
- Storebought lemon juice can be substituted if needed, but doesn’t yield quite as fresh flavor.
