Easy Sauteed Green Beans
Learn how to make easy sauteed green beans at home with fresh garlic, lemon, and olive oil—a healthy, delicious side dish.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- 1
Trim the stem ends from the green beans and rinse them thoroughly under cold water, then pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- 2
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, about 2 minutes.
- 3
Add the thinly sliced yellow onion to the hot oil and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent and begins to soften.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant and the raw garlic flavor mellows.
- 5
Pour the trimmed green beans into the skillet and toss well to coat them evenly with the oil and aromatics.
- 6
Season with sea salt and black pepper, then continue sautéing over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender-crisp with light browning on the edges.
- 7
Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the beans and sprinkle the fresh thyme leaves across the top.
- 8
Toss everything together and cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld and the lemon to warm through.
- 9
Transfer the sauteed green beans to a serving platter and top with the toasted sliced almonds and lemon zest.
- 10
Finish with a light sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a subtle umami boost and serve immediately while still warm.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| extra virgin olive oil | avocado oil or ghee | Both have high smoke points suitable for higher-heat cooking and offer unique flavor profiles while maintaining healthy fat content |
| yellow onion | shallots, finely sliced | Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweeter flavor that's more delicate and adds sophistication while being equally nutritious |
| sliced almonds | sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds | These seeds offer similar crunch and nutrition while providing different mineral profiles including zinc and magnesium for better gut health |
| nutritional yeast | grated Pecorino Romano cheese or vegan parmesan | Adds umami depth and can be omitted entirely for vegan diets without significantly impacting flavor when lemon and garlic are present |
| fresh thyme | fresh dill or Italian parsley | Different herbs provide variety while maintaining the fresh, bright flavor profile and antioxidant benefits |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 138 |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 275mg |
| Carbohydrates | 11g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 5g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
