Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Fresh green beans sautéed with garlic, olive oil, and a dusting of Parmesan. They’re quick, crisp-tender, and bring a bright, savory balance to any Christmas meal. Everything cooks in one pan in under 15 minutes.
🧡 Why You’ll Love It
- Fast: 15 minutes start to finish.
- Simple: Only 6 ingredients, all pantry staples.
- Versatile: Works for holidays or weeknights.
- Crowd-friendly: Even veggie skeptics like it.
- Fresh and light: A clean side that cuts through heavy mains.
🧂 Ingredients
Serves 6
- 1 ½ lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp lemon zest (optional, for brightness)
Optional add-ins:
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes for heat
- 2 tbsp toasted almonds or sliced shallots for crunch
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning for extra flavor
Recommended tools:
- 12-inch stainless steel skillet — large enough to sauté without overcrowding.
- Fine grater or microplane — perfect for fresh Parmesan and lemon zest.
- Heat-resistant tongs — makes tossing beans evenly easy.
- Colander — for quick blanching and draining.
🍳 Steps
- Blanch the green beans.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 2–3 minutes, until bright green and just tender.
Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. This keeps them crisp and vibrant. - Heat oil and butter.
In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. The mix of both gives great flavor without burning. - Sauté garlic.
Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Don’t let it brown — burned garlic turns bitter. - Add the green beans.
Add the drained green beans to the pan. Toss well to coat in the garlic butter. Season with salt and pepper. - Cook until crisp-tender.
Sauté 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are hot and slightly blistered in spots. - Finish with Parmesan and zest.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan and lemon zest. Toss to combine, then transfer to a serving platter.
💡 Helpful Tips & Substitutions
- Use frozen green beans if needed — thaw first and pat dry to prevent sogginess.
- Skip the blanch step if you prefer firmer beans; just cook 2–3 minutes longer in the skillet.
- Make it dairy-free: Use olive oil only and top with toasted breadcrumbs instead of Parmesan.
- Upgrade the presentation: Add a light squeeze of lemon juice before serving for brightness.
- Meal prep tip: Blanch beans ahead of time and refrigerate; finish sautéing right before serving.
🎁 Serving Ideas
- A great side for roast chicken, prime rib, ham, or salmon.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or rice for a simple meal.
- Leftovers mix well into omelets, grain bowls, or pasta.
🕒 Make-Ahead & Storage
- Prep ahead: Trim and blanch beans up to 2 days ahead. Store in a resealable glass container in the fridge.
- After cooking: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a nonstick skillet over medium heat with a teaspoon of water to refresh them.
- Freezing not ideal: Texture softens too much after thawing.
Garlic, butter, and Parmesan — three simple ingredients that turn green beans into something everyone actually wants seconds of. This is a no-fail, crowd-pleasing side that looks and tastes festive without any extra work.