Perfect for an easy veggie side dish.

These Pesto Green Beans are a quick and flavorful side that comes together in under 20 minutes. Fresh green beans are tossed in basil pesto and finished with fresh lemon for a bright but savory dish that feels far more elevated than the time involved!

Green beans tossed with pesto in a shallow white bowl with half a lemon and a blue spoon off to the side.

Fresh or Canned Green Beans?

This recipe requires fresh green beans. But every time I buy and make fresh green beans I laugh at the fact that I “hated” the fresh kind for so many years until I made them the way I like them.

They don’t have to be mushy and they don’t have to be rubbery! And they don’t just have to be steamed…

I truly look forward to fresh green beans now and these pesto green beans are a cut above the rest!

Pesto green beans in a large metal skillet on a white marble counter.

Ingredients

This green bean recipe keeps things simple with just a handful of ingredients. Jarred pesto brings instant flavor with no work involved and lemon brightens everything back up for that homemade, fresh flavor.

green beans – fresh for this recipe!
basil pesto – there are some good jarred and even fresh versions at the store that make this recipe that much easier
parmigiano reggiano – try to find the real stuff, you’ll never go back!
olive oil
lemon juice and lemon zest – brightens up jarred pesto
garlic cloves – fresh and minced

A stainless steel bowl of green beans, a clear bowl of olive oil, a jar of Mezzetta pesto, a whole lemon, 2 cloves of garlic and a clear bowl of grated parmigiano.

How to Make Pesto Green Beans

Cook the Green Beans: Boil the green beans in salted water until tender, then drain.
Warm the Pesto: Cook the garlic until fragrant and stir in the pesto.
Toss Together: Add the green beans and toss to coat.
Finish with Parm and Lemon: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, zest, and parmigiano reggiano and toss one more time before serving.

Green beans in boiling water, a large metal skillet with pieces of garlic, and a large skillet of green beans tossed with pesto showing how to make pesto green beans.

What to Serve with Pesto Green Beans

These pesto green beans pair well with comforting and heavier mains. They bring a bit of freshness. Think along the lines of:

If you’re in the mood for green beans, you”ll definitely love these Maple-Dijon Green Bean Bundles!

Green beans tossed with pesto in a shallow white bowl with half a lemon, a blue spoon, and a wedge of parmesan off to the side.

How to Make Pesto Green Beans Ahead of Time

You can cook the green beans ahead of time but wait to toss all of the ingredients together until shortly before you are ready to serve!

They are still delicious lukewarm and don’t need to be straight off the stove to be enjoyable.

Equipment I Use to Make Pesto Green Beans

Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Microplane – so helpful for grating cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use fresh lemon?

I highly recommend it! It really makes a difference with the jarred pesto.

Are these served warm or cold?

These are best served warm, but room temperature is still delicious. It’s not a finicky side.

Can I use frozen green beans?

Fresh is definitely preferred here for texture. If you only have frozen, cook according to the package and ensure to drain well as they tend to hold more moisture.