Easy Green Beans Almondine
Green Beans Almondine is a simple and delicious classic French side dish that is ready in just 15 minutes. Fresh green beans are sauteéd with sliced almonds, garlic, butter, and lemon juice to create a simple yet elegant side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or holidays but easy enough for busy weeknights.
When planning a holiday meal I usually first think of heavier sides like green bean casserole but this green beans almondine recipe is a delightful lighter alternative. Almondine or amandine is a French term for any dish garnished with almonds. It features crisp green beans, toasted sliced almonds, and the perfect blend of butter, garlic, and lemon to season it to perfection.
Why I love this recipe
- 15 minutes cook time start to finish
- fresh and light but still packed with flavor
- fancy enough for holidays but easy enough for even the most hectic evenings
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this delicious side dish.
- fresh green beans – French green beans (called haricot verts) are best if you can find them
- unsalted butter
- sliced almonds
- garlic
- lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Step by step
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes. While the beans are cooking prepare a large bowl with ice water.
- Remove the green beans from the boiling water and plunge them into the ice bath. Let them sit for one minute then drain.
- Melt butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and add the sliced almonds. Toast almonds for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until toasted. Remove almonds and set aside.
- Add garlic and blanched green beans to the sauté pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the beans are heated through.
- Remove from heat and toss with toasted crunchy almonds and a healthy squeeze of lemon juice then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for best results
This is a very easy side dish but it comes together quickly. Have your ingredients ready before you start to boil the beans and read the recipe through before beginning.
It is also important to salt the water for boiling the green beans as this helps them retain their bright green color and ensures they are seasoned properly.
Serving suggestions
This recipe is perfect for serving with roast turkey or honey-glazed ham for holiday dinners or you can make it alongside steakhouse-style steak, pork chops, or baked chicken breasts, tenderloins, or chicken thighs for a simple everyday meal any time of year.
Make-ahead tips
This is a very fast recipe to prep but you can make it even faster by blanching the green beans ahead of time.
Cook the beans in the boiling salted water, then plunge into the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well, then transfer the green beans to a tray or plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess water. Store the beans in an airtight container or storage bag for up to 3 days. When ready to cook simply add to the skillet and cook until heated through.
If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!
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Green Beans Almondine
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: side
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Description
Green Beans Almondine is a simple and delicious classic French side dish that is ready in just 15 minutes. Fresh green beans are sauteéd with sliced almonds, garlic, butter, and lemon juice to create a simple yet elegant side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or holidays but easy enough for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon worth)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes. While the beans are cooking prepare a large bowl with ice water.
- Remove the green beans from the boiling water and plunge them into the ice bath. Let them sit for one minute then drain.
- Melt butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and add the sliced almonds. Toast almonds for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until toasted. Remove almonds and set aside.
- Add garlic and blanched green beans to the sauté pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the beans are heated through.
- Remove from heat and toss with toasted crunchy almonds and a healthy squeeze of lemon juice then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
This is a very easy side dish but it comes together quickly. Have your ingredients ready before you start to boil the beans and read the recipe through before beginning.
It is also important to salt the water for boiling the green beans as this helps them retain their bright green color and ensures they are seasoned properly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 127
- Sugar: 2.8 g
- Sodium: 5.7 mg
- Fat: 10.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.8 g
- Fiber: 2.8 g
- Protein: 2.8 g
- Cholesterol: 20.2 mg
Keywords: green beans almondine
