Are you tired of bland, mushy vegetables that bore your dinner guests? Get ready to revolutionize your side dish game with these lightning-fast Instant Pot Green Beans with Lemon! In just 10 minutes, you'll transform ordinary green beans into a zesty, vibrant masterpiece that will have everyone asking for your culinary secrets. This foolproof recipe combines the speed of modern cooking technology with the fresh, bright flavors of citrus, creating a side dish that's not just a meal component, but a star attraction on your plate.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1 cup water
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the green beans thoroughly and trim off the tough ends, ensuring they are clean and uniform in length.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot inner pot, creating the liquid base for steaming the green beans.
- Place the trimmed green beans into the Instant Pot, arranging them evenly across the bottom of the pot.
- Zest the entire lemon using a fine grater, capturing the bright citrus oils and aromatic zest.
- Squeeze the lemon to extract its fresh juice, which will add vibrant flavor to the green beans.
- Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the green beans to enhance their natural taste.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to the sealing position.
- Select the "Steam" function and set the cooking time to 2-3 minutes for crisp-tender green beans.
- Once cooking is complete, immediately perform a quick pressure release to prevent overcooking.
- Carefully open the lid and sprinkle the reserved lemon zest over the hot green beans.
- Drizzle the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the beans for a bright, citrusy finish.
- Gently toss the green beans to distribute the lemon zest and juice evenly.
- Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy the fresh, zesty green beans while hot.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Beans: Select crisp, bright green beans with no blemishes for the best texture and flavor.
- Trim Carefully: Remove the tough stem ends to ensure tender, uniform beans.
- Don't Overcook: The 2-3 minute steam time is crucial - it preserves the beans' vibrant color and crisp-tender texture.
- Quick Release is Key: Immediately release pressure to stop the cooking process and prevent mushy beans.
- Zest Before Juicing: Grate the lemon zest first while the lemon is whole for easier and more efficient zesting.
- Season Generously: Don't be shy with salt and pepper - they enhance the beans' natural flavor.
- Serve Immediately: These green beans are best enjoyed hot, right after cooking, to maintain their perfect texture and temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 40kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 2g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
