Description
Easy Thanksgiving Green Beans, perfectly seasoned. Make your holiday meal shine with this simple recipe for tender, flavorful green beans. No fuss!
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Those Beautiful Beans:: First things first, let’s get those green beans ready. I always snap off the stem ends; it’s kind of therapeutic, honestly. You want about a pound and a half, trimmed and washed. I usually get a big bowl and just get to snapping while listening to some tunes. This is where I sometimes find myself humming along and forgetting to properly wash them, so don’t be like me; give ’em a good rinse! They should look vibrant and ready for action.
- Sauté the Aromatics:: Heat a large skillet or pan over medium heat, then add a good glug of olive oil. Once it shimmers, toss in your minced garlic. This is where the magic starts, that amazing aroma filling your kitchen. Sauté for about a minute, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned—we don’t want burnt garlic, trust me, I’ve done that, and it’s a bitter mistake! Keep it moving in the pan, don’t walk away like I sometimes do.
- Simmer for Tenderness:: Now, add your trimmed green beans to the pan with the garlic. Give them a good stir to coat them in that garlicky oil. Then, pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Bring it to a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and let those beans cook for about 5-7 minutes. You’re looking for tender-crisp, not mushy! I always peek around the 5-minute mark; I like a bit of a snap to my beans, you know?
- Add a Citrus Zing:: Once the beans are tender-crisp, take the lid off. Let any remaining broth reduce down a bit. Then, remove the pan from the heat and squeeze in the fresh lemon juice. This step is a game-changer; it brightens everything up so much. I’ve definitely squirted a lemon seed or two into my pan before, so watch out for those! A little zest makes a big difference, honestly.
- Season and Taste:: Now’s the time to season! Sprinkle in those red pepper flakes if you like a little warmth, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Give everything a good toss to make sure all those flavors are mingling beautifully. Taste a bean – this is crucial! Adjust seasonings as needed. Sometimes I go a little heavy on the salt, then have to add a bit more lemon to balance it out. It’s all part of the cooking adventure!
- Serve with Crunch:: Transfer your perfectly seasoned green beans to a serving dish. If you’re using them, sprinkle those lovely toasted slivered almonds right over the top. The crunch they add is just fantastic, a wonderful contrast to the tender beans. They should look vibrant green, smell wonderfully garlicky and lemony, and taste absolutely delicious. Honestly, you’ll be so proud of these!