Sautéed Garlic Green Beans with Lemon Zest

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

Bright, crisp green beans tossed in garlic-infused olive oil and finished with fresh lemon zest. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs green beans, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz trimmed green beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, thinly sliced garlic
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 12 oz trimmed green beans, and cook for 4 minutes until crisp-tender; drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until garlic is golden but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add drained green beans to the skillet, tossing to coat in oil, and cook for 2 more minutes until beans are heated through and edges are slightly charred.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 1/4 tsp salt, then serve immediately while beans are still crisp.