An easy and flavorful side dish, these lemon dill green beans are the perfect vegetarian recipe to add to any meal.
The best part about these green beans, besides the fact that they’re healthy and delicious, is that the recipe incorporates healthy fat – which is a necessary part of our diet.
A little fat goes a long way when it comes to the absorption of vitamins and minerals found in produce. In fact, without a bit of fat, your body is not able to fully absorb all of the nutrients. Now wouldn’t it be silly to eat all of those veggies for nothing? Before you reach for the Velveeta, I want to give a few suggestions on healthy pairings that utilize MUFA’s – mono-unsaturated fatty acids.
Healthy Fat Meal Ideas
Breakfast:
- Add walnuts and berries to your oatmeal or cereal.
- Sprinkle bananas and natural peanut butter on your (whole wheat) toast.
- Toss seeds and fruit into your yogurt.
Lunch:
- Spread hummus on your veggie sandwich.
- Add toasted nuts to your salad.
- Use avocado instead of cheese on your turkey sandwich.
- Make potato salad with olive oil and lemon juice instead of mayo.
Dinner:
- Dress your salad with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Drizzle sesame oil on steamed veggies or stir-fry.
- Mix toasted almonds with your green beans.
Tossing your steamed green beans with just a tablespoon of olive oil, like in this recipe, helps your body absorb all the benefits this vegetable has to offer.
How to make Lemon Dill Green Beans
There are lots of ways to cook or steam green beans, but this is my favorite way – in a steamer basket on the stove. It’s simple and quick.
If all you have is dried dill, by all means use it, but I prefer fresh because it packs a ton of extra flavor. You don’t even have to worry a ton about chopping it up too small.
Now, lots of people skip zesting the lemon or grating fresh garlic. I encourage you to not skip this part. There’s nothing like fresh garlic or fresh lemon zest to really perk up your veggies.
When you’re mixing everything together, be sure to taste a green bean or two and adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What main dish can I serve with lemon dill green beans?
I can eat these green beans with pretty much anything, but my favorites are Teriyaki Baked Chicken Thighs, Coffee Crusted Flank Steak, and Mediterranean Sauteed Shrimp.
Why are healthy fats important?
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they only dissolve in fat. In order for our bodies to absorb these vitamins we need to include fatty acids when eating. Healthy fats also provide energy, support cell growth, protect organs, and keep our bodies warm.
What if I don’t have fresh dill or lemon?
You can use bottled lemon juice or dried dill if you must, but I really prefer the fresh stuff!
Do I have to steam the green beans?
No. I like to steam green beans because it’s fast, simple, and locks in nutrients, but you can cook them however you like before tossing in the ingredients.
What other side dishes do you recommend?
You can check out all my side dish recipes on the website index, but my favorites include Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Steamed Chinese Broccoli with Hoisin Sauce, and Moroccan Roasted Carrots with Tahini.
Your fork is waiting.
Lemon Dill Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans (trimmed)
- ½ Juice of a lemon
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh dill (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place a steamer basket over 2 inches of water and bring to boil.
- Steam green beans for about 4-5 minutes, until bright green. *Do not over cook.*
- Meanwhile, wisk lemon juice with olive oil, dill, salt and pepper.
- Remove steamed green beans from pot and place in a bowl.
- Toss well with lemon dill mixture and serve immediately.
A big hit at our Thanksgiving table! I added yellow squash (from seeing your G Beans and Squash recipe) and it looked very healthy and festive. I adore fresh dill and the lemon zest gave it a special “something.” Thanks!
Adding squash is a great idea! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed it!