Lemon Parmesan Green Beans are the perfect side to almost any entree dinner meal — buttery, lemony, and cheesy. This quick side dish is easy to make using 8 simple ingredients in just 20 minutes.
Serve these sauteed Green Beans whenever you need a quick side dish for dinner on busy weeknights or for fancy dinner parties too. This side is a staple in my home because fresh green beans are available all year long —and it may become a staple in yours too.
Why You'll Love these Lemon Parmesan Green Beans
- Cheesy, lemony goodness. This recipe is simple. Boil your beans, sauté them, then garnish with lemon and cheese. But trust me, you’re not missing out on any flavor here. The balance between acidic lemon and fragrant parmesan are what make these lemon parmesan green beans so good.
- You just need 20 minutes. You’ll need about 10 minutes to prep your ingredients and 10 to cook. These cheesy green beans are so easy to make that you can cook them quickly alongside other dishes.
- Serve them any time of the year. You can find fresh green beans at your local supermarket any time of the year – although you may find the freshest sometime between May and October. Nonetheless, there’s never a bad time for green beans. So, you can enjoy this easy recipe all year long!
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Lemon Parmesan Green Beans, you will need the following
ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- green beans - fresh green beans work best. Look for fresh green beans that are bright in color and snap easily when bent. Avoid beans that are wilted or have brown spots. You could also use frozen French cut green beans. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and cook them through to make sure the centers aren’t cold.
- butter - olive oil or other neutral oil with a high smoke point would also work.
- onion
- garlic - freshly chopped garlic always adds the most flavor, but you can also use pre-minced garlic if you’ve got some on hand.
- lemon juice - If you’re out of fresh lemons, concentrated lemon juice is fine to use, too.
- Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
- lemon – lemon wedges or slices are optional, for serving.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, large cooking pot, and large skillet.
How to Make the Best Lemon Parmesan Green Beans
- Blanch cook green beans. Add green beans in a large pot of boiling water and blanch cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Drain under cold running water for a minute and set aside
- Sauté aromatics. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add green beans. Stir in the blanched green beans and cook until warmed through, about 1-2 minutes.
- Season. Add lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat.
- Serve. Serve immediately with lemon wedges or slices on the side or a sprinkle of lemon zest and extra grated parmesan on top (if desired).
Recipe Variations
- Add nuts. Sprinkle some roasted nuts on top before serving such as pine nuts or almonds. Adding roasted sliced almonds basically turns it into a cheesy Green Beans Almondine.
- Add herbs. Add chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or basil, to the lemon parmesan green beans for extra flavor.
- Add balsamic vinegar. Drizzle balsamic vinegar or a balsamic reduction over the green beans for a tangy and sweet flavor.
- Add bacon. Bacon always makes green beans even better. Crumble some cooked bacon on top for added smoky and savory flavor.
- Spice it up. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the green beans for a bit of heat.
How to Serve
These Lemon Parmesan Green Beans are best served fresh alongside almost any dinner
meal. Pair it alongside:
- Oven Baked Chicken Breast and Broccoli Rice
- Garlic Butter Salmon and Oven Roasted Vegetables
- Miso Black Cod and Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Skillet Dinner Rolls
- Balsamic Chicken Kabobs and Roasted Potato Wedges
- Stuffed Eggplant and Homemade Pita Bread
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Blanch the green beans. Don’t skip this first step of the recipe. Blanching the green beans in boiling water before cooking helps to lock in their color and nutrients.
- Use good quality Parmesan cheese. Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor. Avoid using pre-grated cheese, which can be dry and lacking in flavor – which is especially noticed in a recipe like this with simple ingredients where the Parmesan will shine.
- Garnish with lemon zest. Finely grate some lemon zest over the top of the green beans before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
- Serve immediately. Serve the lemon parmesan green beans immediately after cooking to ensure that they are at their freshest and most flavorful.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Allow lemon parmesan green beans to cool completely. Then, store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
How to Reheat
When reheating cooked green beans, you must be careful not to overcook them. I recommend heating them over medium-low heat on the stove or popping them into a conventional or toaster oven for 2-4 minutes at 350F.
How to Freeze
Place leftover green beans in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
More Green Bean Recipes
- 15 Best Green Bean Recipes
- Green Beans Almondine
- Green Beans with Bacon
- Pesto Green Beans
- Green Bean Fries
- Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
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