Lemon Pepper Green Beans

Quick, easy and utterly delicious, Lemon Pepper Green Beans make a wonderful VEGAN side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday or weeknight dinners. Steamed green beans are tossed in a tart lemon vinaigrette, then seasoned with copious amounts of pepper before serving.

Overhead view of lemon pepper green beans in serving dish surrounded by linens

These Lemon Pepper Green Beans are a nod to my childhood neighbors, Mohan and Pratima.

We shared so many dinners in the years we lived on the same street, and their Lemon Pepper Green Beans were always out of this world. In fact, they were so delicious that my family started adding their favorite lemon pepper seasoning to our green beans all the darn time.

It’s been years since I had their green bean recipe. So when I was plotting out my side dish menu, I wanted to make a fresh version of this without the spice blend, which I did not have on hand.

I also loved the idea of using fresh lemon because fresh lemon adds such lovely flavor. So I made a thick lemon vinaigrette to toss the green beans in.

Unsurprisingly, this fresh recipe is all kinds of delicious.

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    And it is stupid easy to make.

    Trust me. The most challenging part is steaming the green beans and getting them to the crisp tender stage, where they still have a little bit of crunch but are cooked through.

    The rest is just lagniappe.

    Proteins to pair these green beans with: Cajun Turkey | Cranberry Chicken Thighs | Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin | Broiled Steak

    Different angles of lemon pepper green beans in a yellow serving dish

    What you need to make this recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    In addition to these tools, you’re going to need to grab some things at the grocery store, too:

    • Fresh green beans — you can purchase the pre-trimmed kind or trim them yourself.
    • Olive oil — or another neutral oil. Extra virgin or regular olive oil both work here.
    • Lemon — we need the zest from one, as well as the juice.
    • Black pepper — we like to grind our own with a pepper mill and to let the texture be more coarse for this vinaigrette.
    • Kosher salt — medium grain kosher salt is my go-to. Diamond Crystal is my favorite brand. You could use a similarly sized sea salt. Table salt is saltier than kosher, so keep that in mind if that’s what you have to use.
    Overhead close up of Lemon Pepper Green Beans with seasoning on top

    How to make Lemon Pepper Green Beans

    Steam the green beans. Place a steamer basket over boiling water in a large saucepan. Steam the green beans until crisp tender and bright green.

    Remove from the heat, transfer the beans to a heat-proof bowl and set aside. You may also place them in a bowl of ice water to prevent them from continuing to cook and becoming overcooked.

    Make the vinaigrette. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, pepper and salt in a mason jar or a small bowl. Whisk or shake until combined.

    Pour the vinaigrette over the steamed green beans. Toss to coat.

    Enjoy warm.

    Blogsgiving Dinner 2015 // The Speckled Palate

    Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and delicious food. Luckily, the food blogging community is allabout these things, as well. To celebrate the holiday, Meghan from Cake ‘n Knife and Susannah from Feast + West are hosting Blogsgiving Dinner. And this year, there are more than 60 blogs sharing recipes this week!

    The idea is based on an old-fashioned potluck dinner party.

    Each blogger is bringing one or more dishes to the party, so be sure to stop by each one and get some ideas for your own Thanksgiving meal. We’ll be posting to social media with the hashtag #blogsgivingdinner, but you can see all the whole menu in Part 1 and Part 2 of the recipe round-up.

    Lemon Pepper Green Beans in serving dish in front of pumpkin décor

    I’d like to think Mohan and Pratima would approve of this rendition of their classic side that taste SO delicious.

    Love green beans? You’ve got to try Toasted Pine Nut Green Beans, Vegan Fresh Green Bean CasseroleGreen Bean Bacon Bundles, Crunchy Green Bean Casserole Bites and Roasted Green Beans.

    If you’re interested in adding a bit of lemon pepper zing to your Thanksgiving table, here’s how you make these simple, but gorgeous beans!

    Overhead view of Lemon Pepper Green Beans in serving dish on linens
    Overhead view of lemon pepper green beans in serving dish surrounded by linens

    Lemon Pepper Green Beans

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Lemon Pepper Green Beans are a quick, easy and utterly delicious side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. Steamed green beans are tossed in a tart lemon vinaigrette, then seasoned with copious amounts of pepper before serving.
    5 from 1 vote
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 98 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes
    Total Time 13 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb. green beans trimmed

    Lemon Vinaigrette

    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • In a steamer basket over boiling water, steam the green beans for a few minutes until crisp tender. Remove from the heat, transfer the beans to a heat-proof bowl and set aside.
    • In a mason jar or a bowl, combine the vinaigrette ingredients — the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, pepper and salt. Whisk until combined.
    • In the large bowl, pour the vinaigrette on top of the warm green beans.
    • Toss using tongs until everything has been coated.
    • Enjoy warm.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 98kcalCarbohydrates: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 267mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g
    Keyword christmas side, christmas side dish, date night side, easy side dish, holiday side, holiday side dish, quick side dish, side dish, side dish recipe, side dishes
    Course Side Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    How do you like your green beans at Thanksgiving?

    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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