This simple side dish of sauteed Green Beans With Almonds or Green Beans Almondine comes together easily and quickly. Toasted almonds add extra flavor and crunch to this fresh green vegetable side dish. It's perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas but also easy enough for a weeknight meal.
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💝Why I Love Sauteed Green Beans With Almonds
- Healthy Vegetable Option: Even though it's a time for indulgence, I try incorporating healthier options into our holiday meals. One way is to add a vegetable side dish when I can, like this green bean recipe. It's always a huge hit and disappears quickly!
- Easy Recipe to Make: It's really easy to make with simple ingredients. Even better, it's quick to make. All great things when cooking other labor-intensive dishes for the holidays.
- Versatile Recipe: Its simplicity makes it perfect for pairing with just about anything. For Thanksgiving, it's great with the bird of your choice and your other favorite Thanksgiving sides, such as cheesy potatoes, vegetarian stuffing, or sausage, cranberries, and walnuts stuffing.
- Great Alternative to Classic Green Bean Casserole: When cooked that way, the beans often turn mushy, lose their color, and get buried under the toppings. Instead, I prefer green bean almondine, which stays full of color!
❓What is Green Beans Almondine?
Green beans almondine is a classic French preparation for green beans with almonds. Almondine (or amandine in French) is a culinary term for an almond garnish. You'll see the garnish on fish, potatoes, or asparagus very often.
In American cookbooks, you will find the term almondine, and in others, you will see the term amandine. They mean the same thing but just have different spellings.
📝 Ingredients You Need
- Green beans: I usually use French green beans (haricots verts) because they are more tender, slimmer, and have better flavor than standard green beans. I like to buy the frozen kind at Trader Joe's because they are already trimmed and cook faster. You can also use fresh beans if you have access to them.
- Onions: I used regular onions but have also used red or green onions occasionally, so use what you have available.
- Garlic: You do not need a lot to add a hint of garlic to make flavorful green beans. However, as you are the boss in the kitchen, adjust the amount based on your preferences.
- Olive Oil: This oil is my choice for the recipe, but you can also use vegetable oil or a combination of oil and butter.
- Water: I used the water to steam the green beans. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor.
- Almonds: I used toasted sliced almonds, but if you are allergic to almonds or don't like them, you can use pecans or walnuts. A combination of nuts works just as well.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: Don't skip the lemon. It adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the dish and makes it lighter.
👩🍳 How To Make Green Beans Almondine
Again, like many of my recipes, this one is a one-pot dish. I'm all about easy and fast cooking, especially around the holidays.
I spend so much time in the kitchen making pork roasts, or baking sweet breads, that when I make my sides, I do not want to fuss around with too many steps.
Step 1. Clean the green beans and dice the onions and garlic.
Step 2. In a skillet, heat up the oil over medium-high heat, then add the onions and garlic, ensuring to keep an eye on the garlic so it doesn't burn. You're aiming for the garlic and onion to become translucent and start releasing their aromas. Next, add your green beans, whether fresh or frozen, and sauté them with onions and garlic.
Step 3. Add the lemon zest, salt and pepper, and water to the pan. Cover the pan with a lid. Allow it to simmer at low heat for about 5 or 6 minutes. You want your beans to be al dente, not mushy.
Step 4. Once you see that your beans are cooked through, turn off the heat and squeeze some lemon juice on them. Adjust the taste for salt and pepper to your taste.
Step 5. Add the almond slices over the top and serve.
The dish is now done and ready to eat. Place the green beans in a cute bowl and serve as a side dish.
🍽️ How to Serve
This easy sauteed green beans recipe pairs well with a variety of dishes, making it a versatile and tasty side dish for many meals. Enjoy this simple green bean side dish for holiday meals, special occasions, dinner party, or even an easy weeknight dinner.
Here are some suggestions on what to serve with it:
- Meats: It goes great with roasted or grilled meats like chicken, beef, or pork. Two favorites are my Fried Chicken Without Flour and this Roasted Boneless Pork Chops. It also is great with a classic roast chicken or turkey, especially during Thanksgiving.
- Fish and Seafood: Lighter proteins like grilled salmon, baked cod, or Spanish shrimp can balance the flavors well.
- Grains and Starches: Serve alongside fluffy rice, pearl barley pilaf, mashed potatoes, or a simple pasta dish for a more filling meal. We love it with this Easy No-Boil Mac And Cheese.
- Other Vegetables: Pair with other vegetables, like roasted carrots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts with ham, for a veggie-heavy plate.
- Salads: A crisp green salad or a grain-based salad like a quinoa or farro salad would be a refreshing addition.
- Breads: Fresh baked bread or dinner rolls can be a great accompaniment to a wholesome meal.
❄️ How to Store Leftovers
If you have any leftover green beans, you can store them in an airtight container. They will last about 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I don't recommend freezing them as they will not likely maintain their consistency when thawed out -- especially if you're using frozen green beans.
To reheat for a weeknight meal, return the green beans to a skillet and cook over medium heat until heated through. You can squeeze a bit more lemon juice and add more toasted almonds if you want.
💡 Expert Tips
- Large Skillet: Use a large skillet so there is plenty of room to move the green beans so they cook evenly.
- Don't Skip the Lemon: The squeeze of fresh lemon juice is THE ingredient that makes this dish taste so amazing! And the lemon zest adds a bright, citrusy flavor that elevates the dish.
- Fresh vs. Frozen: You can use either fresh or frozen green beans for this recipe. If using frozen, there is no need to thaw them first.
- Nut Variations: While almonds are classic, feel free to experiment with pecans or walnuts for a different flavor.
- Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the green beans to ensure they are cooked to your liking. Aim for 'al dente' - a crisp texture that's tender but with a slight crunch.
🙋♀️ Recipe Faqs:
Yes, you can prepare this dish a day ahead. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently before serving. Add the nuts and lemon juice just before serving to maintain the crunch and freshness.
No, blanching is not necessary for this green beans almondine recipe. With this method, the green beans are cooked directly in the saucepan along with water, garlic, onion, and seasonings. This process allows the beans to simmer and become tender, achieving an 'al dente' texture while also absorbing the flavors from the other ingredients.
If your sliced almonds aren't toasted, the easiest way to toast them is in the oven. Spread them out on a baking tray and cook in a 350° F oven until lightly golden brown, about five minutes in a hot oven. Keep a close eye on them and move them around from time to time, as they burn quite quickly.
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes to Love
📖 Recipe
Green Beans with Almonds (Green Beans Almondine)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans frozen or fresh
- 1 medium onion
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup toasted almonds or pecans/walnuts
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to your taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat up the oil over medium-high heat, then add the onions and garlic, ensuring to keep an eye on the garlic so it doesn't burn.
- Add the green beans. Pour the water in, add salt, pepper, and lemon zest, and then cover the pan with a lid.
- Allow it to simmer at low heat for about 5 or 6 minutes. You want your beans to be al dente.
- Once the beans are cooked through, turn off the heat, squeeze some lemon juice, and sprinkle with almonds.
- Serve as a side dish. Perfect for holidays, especially Thanksgiving.
Notes
- Fresh vs. Frozen: You can use either fresh or frozen green beans for this recipe. If using frozen, there is no need to thaw them first.
- Nut Variations: While almonds are classic, feel free to experiment with pecans or walnuts for a different flavor.
- Lemon Zest: Don't skip the lemon zest! It adds a bright, citrusy flavor that elevates the dish.
- Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the green beans to ensure they are cooked to your liking. Aim for 'al dente' - tender but with a slight crunch.
- Make-Ahead: This dish can be prepared a day ahead. Just reheat and add the nuts and lemon juice before serving. Enjoy this delicious and easy side dish that's perfect for any occasion!
Mazza says
Green bean & almond recipe. I note that the ingredient list states lemon zest & juice. However in the instructions there is not mention as to when to add the zest. Please advise. Also many thanks for your hungarian recipes. mouthwatering and am going to make the stew.
The Bossy Kitchen says
Hi,
Sorry about that. The article tells you exactly when to add the lemon zest(also see the pictures), it was missing from the recipe card. Thank you for letting me know, now it got corrected.
Also, I am happy you like the recipes. That Hungarian goulash is very good.
Mazza says
HI Bossy , appreciate the fact that in a timely manner, you made the effort to correct the omission.
And yes, I am going to try the goulash recipe. Thanks for the many varied and interesting recipes on your website. Greetings from the land down under - Australia! . Mazza
The Bossy Kitchen says
Thank you for writing!
Alison says
Can I prepare the day before?
The Bossy Kitchen says
Yes, you can. Add the almonds when you serve the dish after you warm it up.