Why You’ll Love Green Beans Almondine Recipe
Green Beans Almondine turns an everyday vegetable into a flavorful side dish without requiring complicated techniques. Briefly blanching the green beans and cooling them in ice water helps preserve their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
Toasted slivered almonds add a wonderful crunch and subtle nuttiness, while shallot and garlic create a savory base. Butter gives the dish its classic richness, and fresh lemon juice balances everything with a bright, refreshing finish.
Another advantage is that much of the preparation can be done ahead of time. The beans can be blanched and cooled in advance, making the final skillet preparation quick when you’re ready to serve.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 pound green beans or haricots verts, trimmed
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 lemon, halved
Directions
1. Blanch the Green Beans
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. While the water heats, prepare a large bowl of ice water and place it nearby.
Add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they become bright green and are crisp-tender.
Immediately drain the beans in a colander and transfer them to the prepared ice water. Let them sit for about 1 minute. This stops the cooking process and helps the beans retain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
Drain thoroughly, pat the beans dry, and set them aside.
2. Toast the Almonds
Place a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toast them for about 2 minutes, tossing or stirring occasionally.
Watch the almonds closely because they can brown quickly. Once they are fragrant and golden, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
3. Sauté the Shallot
Return the skillet to medium heat and add the extra-virgin olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the minced shallot along with a small pinch of salt. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the shallot softens and begins to turn translucent.
4. Add the Green Beans
Add the blanched green beans, minced garlic, and unsalted butter to the skillet.
Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the butter has melted and the beans are heated through. Avoid cooking them for too long, as they should remain pleasantly crisp.
5. Finish and Serve
Return the toasted almonds to the skillet and toss everything together so the beans and almonds are evenly coated in the buttery shallot and garlic mixture.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then squeeze a generous amount of fresh lemon juice over the beans.
Toss once more and serve warm.
Servings and timing
This Green Beans Almondine recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
Preparation and cooking take about 35 minutes total. The green beans only need a few minutes of blanching followed by a short sauté, so most of the work involves trimming the beans, preparing the aromatics, and bringing the water to a boil.
For the best texture, serve the finished beans soon after tossing them with the almonds, butter, and lemon juice.
Variations
For an extra citrusy version, add a little finely grated lemon zest along with the lemon juice. The zest provides a stronger lemon aroma without adding additional acidity.
You can replace the slivered almonds with sliced almonds if that’s what you have available. Toast them carefully until lightly golden before removing them from the skillet.
For additional richness, use a little more butter when finishing the beans. Alternatively, you can use additional olive oil in place of the butter for a dairy-free variation.
A small pinch of red pepper flakes can add gentle heat, while chopped fresh parsley provides extra color and freshness. For a more savory finish, try adding a small amount of finely grated Parmesan just before serving.
Haricots verts are an excellent alternative to standard green beans. Because they’re thinner, they may cook slightly faster, so check them early during blanching.
Storage/Reheating
Allow leftover Green Beans Almondine to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.
For the best results, reheat the beans in a skillet over medium-low to medium heat with a small amount of butter or olive oil. Cook just until warmed through. This method helps preserve more of their texture than prolonged reheating.
You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, although the beans and almonds may become softer.
If you’re preparing the recipe ahead of time, blanch and cool the green beans as directed, dry them thoroughly, and refrigerate them separately. Toast the almonds and keep them in an airtight container. Finish the recipe in the skillet shortly before serving.
Freezing isn’t recommended because thawed green beans tend to lose the crisp texture that makes this dish particularly enjoyable.
FAQs
What is Green Beans Almondine?
Green Beans Almondine is a classic side dish made with cooked green beans and almonds. This version also includes shallot, garlic, butter, olive oil, and lemon juice for additional savory and bright flavors.
Why do you put green beans in ice water?
Plunging freshly blanched green beans into ice water quickly stops the cooking process. This helps prevent overcooking while preserving their bright green color and crisp-tender texture.
Can I use frozen green beans?
Fresh green beans provide the best texture, but frozen green beans can work when necessary. Since frozen beans have already undergone processing that softens their texture, they generally don’t need the same blanching method. Cook them only until heated through before finishing them with the other ingredients.
Can I make Green Beans Almondine ahead of time?
Yes. Blanch the beans, cool them in ice water, dry them thoroughly, and refrigerate them in an airtight container. Toast the almonds separately. When you’re ready to serve, complete the recipe in the skillet with the shallot, garlic, butter, almonds, and lemon.
How do I keep the almonds from burning?
Toast the almonds over medium heat and stir or toss them frequently. Remove them from the skillet as soon as they’re lightly golden and fragrant. Almonds can go from perfectly toasted to burned quickly, so avoid leaving the skillet unattended.
Can I make Green Beans Almondine without butter?
Yes. Replace the butter with additional extra-virgin olive oil or another suitable cooking oil. The finished dish will have less buttery richness but will still benefit from the toasted almonds, aromatics, and fresh lemon.
What’s the difference between green beans and haricots verts?
Haricots verts are a thinner, more delicate type of green bean. They typically cook faster than standard green beans, so reduce the blanching time as necessary to prevent them from becoming too soft.
What should I serve with Green Beans Almondine?
Green Beans Almondine pairs well with roasted chicken, turkey, beef, pork, fish, and many vegetarian main dishes. Its elegant appearance also makes it particularly suitable for holiday dinners and special occasions.
How do I know when the green beans are done?
The beans should become bright green and crisp-tender after blanching. They should be easy to bite while still retaining a slight snap. Remember that they’ll cook briefly again when they’re added to the skillet.
Why is lemon juice added at the end?
Adding fresh lemon juice after removing the skillet from the heat preserves its bright, fresh flavor. The acidity also balances the richness of the butter and complements the nutty flavor of the toasted almonds.
Conclusion
Green Beans Almondine is proof that a simple vegetable side dish can feel special with just a few well-chosen ingredients. Crisp green beans, golden toasted almonds, aromatic shallot and garlic, rich butter, and fresh lemon create a balanced combination of flavors and textures.
With about 35 minutes of total preparation and enough for six servings, it’s an easy addition to everyday dinners while still being elegant enough for holidays and entertaining. Serve it warm from the skillet for the best combination of crisp beans, crunchy almonds, and bright buttery flavor.
Green Beans Almondine
Green Beans Almondine is a crisp, buttery side dish with toasted almonds, shallot, garlic, and a bright squeeze of fresh lemon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Blanching and Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Salt and pepper
- 1 pound green beans or haricots verts, trimmed
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 lemon, halved
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water nearby. Add the green beans and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, until bright green. Drain immediately and submerge the beans in the ice water for about 1 minute. Drain, pat dry, and set aside.
- Heat a large dry skillet over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add the olive oil to the same skillet. Once hot, add the shallot and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot begins to turn translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Add the green beans, garlic, and butter. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes, until the beans are heated through but remain crisp.
- Add the toasted almonds and toss to coat in the butter mixture until heated through. Remove from the heat and season with salt, pepper, and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Haricots verts can be used in place of regular green beans and may require slightly less blanching time.
- Do not overcook the beans; blanching followed by an ice bath helps preserve their crisp texture and bright green color.
- Toast the almonds carefully, as they can brown quickly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
