Delicious Lemony Green Beans

Green beans have always been a bit of a challenge for me. I know they’re healthy and packed with nutrients, and I’ve tasted some incredible dishes featuring them. Yet, every time I tried to make something myself, it never quite hit the mark—either lacking excitement or just not being flavorful enough to make me happy.

Usually, I default to pairing them with soy sauce in Asian-inspired dishes. But when I came across this recipe, which offered a fresh take on green beans, I knew I had to give it a try.

Tip #1: Use fresh green beans.The difference between fresh and frozen is huge. Fresh green beans keep their crispness and vibrant color, while frozen ones often end up on the soggy side.

Tip #2: Go for fresh lemon juice.Trust me, it’s worth the small extra effort. Freshly squeezed lemon juice brings a depth and brightness that bottled one just can’t match.

This dish is quick and easy to prepare, but don’t skip any of the steps! Blanching the green beans and shocking them in icy water is essential—it locks in that beautiful color and keeps them crisp.

Whether you’re serving it as a side or enjoying it on its own, this recipe might just make green beans your new favorite veggie!

The Recipe inspired by the blog "Krutit"

What you need:

• 400–500 grams of fresh green beans

• 1 firm lemon

• 1 garlic clove, peeled

• 2–3 tbsp of olive oil

• 1/2 tsp coarse salt or any other type you have

What you do:

1. Trim the stem ends of the green beans if needed.

2. Heat a large pot with plenty of water, add a teaspoon of salt, and bring to a boil.

3. Once the water is boiling, add the green beans and cook for 20–30 minutes, until tender but firm. The cooking time varies depending on their freshness, so taste to check if done.

4. Prepare a bowl with 5–10 ice cubes and fill it with cold water.

5. Transfer the cooked beans (without the cooking water) to the ice water and let them sit for 3 minutes. Then drain thoroughly.

6. Grate the garlic and lemon zest over the beans using the fine side of a grater or a Microplane.

7. Squeeze half the lemon over the beans, add olive oil and salt, and mix well.

8. Serve at room temperature or warm in the microwave for one minute if desired.

   That easy - that good.. enjoy :)