Step 1: Begin by thoroughly washing your fresh green beans under cold running water. Snap or trim off the tough stem ends. For a more polished look, you can also trim the tail ends, but it’s not strictly necessary. Ensure all beans are roughly the same length for even cooking.
Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add your trimmed fresh green beans. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the blanched beans to an ice bath to stop the cooking and preserve their vibrant color. Once cooled, drain them well.
Step 3: In a large skillet or frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced fresh garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 4: Add the blanched and drained green beans to the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss gently to coat the beans evenly. Sauté for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the beans to warm through and absorb the garlic flavor. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the beans. You can also sprinkle with a handful of fresh chopped parsley or chives for extra freshness and color. Serve immediately.