Stovetop Parmesan Green Beans

Why We Love This Dish

Garlic and Parmesan bring out the natural sweetness of fresh green beans. They're quick to make and go with just about everything.

Grilled chicken, steak, roasted fish, or shrimp. You can toss them into a salad or serve them with pasta or rice for extra flavor and color.

How To Select & Store Green Beans

Green beans can be labeled with different names. In Latin, they are called Phaseolus vulgaris. They are also known as snap beans, bush beans, or string beans.

Available year-round, green beans should be brightly colored and firm to the touch, free from any signs of wilting. Fresh beans feel velvety and not slimy.

Refrigerate green beans in a plastic bag and use them as soon as possible. They will keep for about a week.

How to Prep Green Beans For Cooking

To prep green beans, start by rinsing them under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

Next, trim off the stem ends by either cutting them with a knife or snapping them off by hand. Some people prefer to leave the ends intact, so the choice is yours-either way works just fine.

Once prepped, the green beans are ready to be cooked the way you like them.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 Lemon, zested and cut in half.
• ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese (look for Italian Parmigiana Reggiano.)
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

How to Make Parmesan Garlic Green Beans

1. Trim the green beans by snapping off the ends.
2. To steam green beans, place them in a steamer basket over boiling water and cover with a lid. Steam for 5 minutes until they are crisp-tender, then drain and plunge them into a big bowl of ice water to stop their cooking.
3. While the green beans are cooking, zest a lemon.
4. When the green beans are cool, pat them dry with paper towels.
5. Heat the butter and garlic in a large skillet and heat over medium heat. When the garlic starts to sizzle, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
6. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the green beans. Toss the beans with the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and heated through.
7. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley, then sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese and lemon zest over the green beans. Gently toss, allowing the cheese to melt slightly from the heat of the beans.
8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.

What To Serve with Green Beans

Try our popular recipes with your garlic parmesan green beans.

• Fried Snapper with Panko Breadcrumbs
• Pan Seared Chuck Steak Recipe
• Roasted Snapper with Old Bay
• Lemon Basil Roasted Chicken
• Seared Tripletail with Garlic Butter Sauce
• Medium Rare Strip Steak

Final Thoughts

This garlicky green beans recipe goes great with meat, fish, or turkey. The beans are tender with a little bite and full of garlicky flavor.

It's a favorite here in Florida, especially with fresh fish. Whether you're grilling, baking, or pan-searing your catch, these green beans round out the meal with just the right pop of flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The green beans can be reheated in the microwave for a few minutes, depending on how many you have left. You can also heat a small skillet and add them to the pan for a few minutes. Add a little butter to them if they are dry.