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    Home » Real Food » Side Dishes

    Green Beans Almondine

    March 9, 2020 | By Kristen Chidsey | 34 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Green beans get dressed up with a simple lemon butter sauce and toasted almonds. This simple recipe for Green Beans Almondine comes together with minimal effort to make a healthy and flavorful side dish. Even picky eaters love this veggie side dish! Unlike most French recipes, this classic dish is uncomplicated and easy to make. It only requires 5 simple, easy to find ingredients and is ready in less than 20 minutes, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights.

    Green Beans Almondine is a simple recipe made with fresh green beans, a lemon butter sauce, and toasted almonds to elevate green beans into a memorable side dish with minimal effort.

    This recipe uses a handful of ingredients to create a healthy and flavorful side dish that is ready in under 20 minutes. It pairs beautifully with Baked Salmon or Chicken Piccata on a busy weeknight, yet is impressive enough in flavor to replace Green Bean Casserole for your holiday spread.

    Green Beans Almondine dished out in white dish

    What is Green Beans Almondine?

    Green Beans Almondine is a classic French dish that simply means "green beans with almonds."

    Unlike most French recipes, this classic dish is uncomplicated and easy to make. It only requires 5 simple, easy-to-find ingredients and is ready in less than 20 minutes, making this recipe the perfect side dish to prepare on busy weeknights.

    Between the buttery, bright sauce and the crunch of the almonds, this simple green bean recipe is truly irresistible and wins over the pickiest of eaters.

    Key Ingredients

    fresh green beans, lemon, shallot and almonds on white counter.
    • Green Beans: String beans, fresh green beans, or french green beans, also known as Haricot Vert, work for this recipe. The beans should be cleaned and trimmed. While fresh beans are best, I do have directions for how to dress up frozen steamed beans with this sauce as well.
    • Butter: Butter gives the sauce so much richness and is a must in French cuisine. If you are vegan or dairy-free, I suggest using your favorite vegan butter alternative.
    • Shallots: Shallots add a mild flavor that is a cross between both onions and garlic, giving this dish the best of both flavors. If you do not have shallots, use garlic in their place.
    • Lemons: Fresh lemon juice will make the flavors pop and finishes this dish with a bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds, letting them really enjoy the flavor of the dish. Be sure to only use FRESH lemon juice. Jarred is not equivalent.
    • Almonds: Slivered almonds give the dish crunch and a nutty flavor. It is best to toast the almonds yourself for the best flavor. Pro-Tip: I often find slivered almonds or almond slices in the baking aisle next to chocolate chips at the grocery store. 

    How To Make Green Bean Almondine

    Step One: Blanch Green Beans

    While you may be tempted to skip this step, blanching green beans is essential to this dish! It helps to keep the green beans fresh and vibrant, while also letting the beans get tender. Blanching is not a hard process at all, it simply means boiling something lightly and then shocking it in cold water to stop the cooking process.

    • Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil.
    • Season heavily with salt, about 1 tablespoon.
    • Drop the green beans into the boiling water and boil for 2-3 minutes, or until just crisp-tender.
    Green Beans in large stock pan of boiling water.
    • Remove green beans from the pot with a slotted spoon or spider strainer and place them immediately into a large bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and allow the green beans to maintain their bright green color.
    Green Beans in ice bath.

    Step Two: Toast Almonds

    You can purchase toasted sliced almonds, but it is easy to toast almonds at home and will result in the freshest flavor. I take the time to do this step, while the green beans are being chilled in the ice bath.

    • Preheat a large skillet over medium-low heat.
    • Add in slivered almonds.
    • Shake the pan every 30 seconds and only toast for 1-2 minutes, or until your nose begins to smell the almonds and the almonds begin to turn light brown.
    • Immediately remove from the skillet and set aside.
    Almonds being toasted in dry skillet

    Step Three: Saute Green Beans

    • Remove green beans from the ice bath and gently pat dry.
    • In the same skillet used to toast the almonds, melt the butter over medium heat.
    • Once the butter is melted, add in the minced shallot and saute until just softened.
    Shallots sauteed in saute pan.
    • Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat with the butter and shallot mixture.
    • Add the fresh lemon juice, along with ½ to 1 teaspoon salt to the green beans and toss coat.
    • Saute until the green beans are warmed through, about 3-5 minutes.
    Green Beans in skillet with lemon butter sauce

    Step Four: Serve

    • Remove the green beans from the skillet and place them onto a serving platter.
    • Top with toasted almonds.
    Green Beans Almondine in white serving platter

    Using Frozen Green Beans

    To prepare this dish with frozen green beans, skip the step of blanching green beans.  Simply steam your green beans according to the package directions and pat them dry and proceed with the recipe as stated.

    Storage Instructions

    Leftover green beans almondine can be stored in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a dry skillet until just warmed through. This will help the almonds stay crispy, as they may become soggy if the leftovers were microwaved.

    More Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

    • Instant Pot Green Beans
    • Green Bean Casserole
    • Roasted Carrots
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Broccoli Salad

    Be sure to let me know in the comments how much you enjoyed this recipe for Green Beans Almondine. I love to hear from you!

    Sting Beans Almondine in white serving platter

    Green Beans Almondine

    A simple, yet impressive and flavorful way to serve fresh green beans in a lemon butter sauce. 
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: French
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 144kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound fresh green beans ends trimmed off
    • ⅓ cup slivered almonds
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons shallots minced
    • 1 lemon
    • 1 /2 teaspoon salt plus additional salt for cooking beans
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Season heavily with salt–about 1 tablespoon.
    • Drop green beans into boiling water and boil for 2-3 minutes, or until just crisp-tender.
    • Remove green beans from pot with a slotted spoon or spider strainer and place immediately into an ice bath.
    • Preheat a large skillet over medium-low heat.  Add in slivered almonds. Shake the pan every 30 seconds. As soon as your nose begins to smell the almonds, or the almonds begin to turn light brown, remove the almonds from the skillet.
    • Remove green beans from ice bath and gently pat dry.
    • In the same skillet you toasted almonds in, melt butter over medium heat. Add in shallot, and saute until just softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add green beans and toss to coat.
    • Give the beans a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and season with ½ to 1 teaspoon salt to taste. Saute until warmed through, about 3-5 minutes.
    • Remove beans from skillet and place in serving dish. Top with toasted almonds.

    Notes

    Shallots: Feel free to leave out shallots, for a more kid-friendly recipe. 
    Lemon Juice: Do not substitute jarred lemon juice for fresh lemon juice. And feel free to add the zest of the lemon along with the lemon juice for a more intense lemon flavor.
    Frozen Green Beans: To prepare this dish with frozen green beans, skip the step for blanching green beans.  Simply steam your green beans according to package directions and pat dry and proceed with the recipe as stated.
    Green Bean Varieties: String beans, haricot verts, or fresh garden green beans all work in this recipe. You will need to cook string beans and haricot verts for a 1 minutes less time in the boiling water than thicker green beans. 
    Storage: Leftover green beans almondine can be stored in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a dry skillet until just warmed through. This will help the almonds stay crispy, as they may become soggy if the leftovers were microwaved. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 339mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 955IU | Vitamin C: 28.1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1.7mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

     

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    Categorized Under: Allergy Friendly Recipes, Budget Cooking, Gluten Free, Holiday Cuisine, Kid Friendly, Low Carb, Real Food, Side Dishes

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Alli

      March 11, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      Such a simple but amazing recipe! I love how helpful your blog post was too.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 11, 2020 at 8:18 pm

        I am so glad you found these tips helpful Alli 🙂

        Reply
    2. An Aging Chef: Still breathing, still cooking!

      December 09, 2019 at 7:25 pm

      A delightful recipe that I serve quite often. I also modify it slightly depending on the main dish. With Cajun (blackened) halibut I'll add 1 tsp of dark maple syrup to the pan when sautéing, to add a hint of sweetness that melds with the bite of the fish, and when serving with a classic roast chicken I'll garnish the almondine with fried shallots. But it always starts with the simple classic!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 10, 2019 at 7:18 am

        Oh that sounds fabulous with the addition of maple! I am so glad you enjoy this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Laura

      November 28, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      How much butter do you use. I don’t see that in the recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 28, 2019 at 2:33 pm

        Hi Laura, It is 2 tablespoons. Happy Thanksgiving.

        Reply
    4. DJ

      August 07, 2019 at 5:39 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you. Very easy and helpful recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 07, 2019 at 6:38 pm

        I am so glad to hear that DJ! I love how easy this side is to prep as well!

        Reply
    5. Marilyn

      April 11, 2019 at 3:56 pm

      By my definition, the photo shows sliced almonds, not slivered. Slivered are small, half-moon shaped.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 12, 2019 at 6:19 am

        Hi Marilyn, technically you are correct. But either variety works 😉

        Reply
    6. Joanne

      October 05, 2018 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      One of the simplest and most classic ways to make green beans. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 06, 2018 at 8:53 am

        Thanks so much Joanne!

        Reply
    7. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes

      October 05, 2018 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      Love this for a holiday side dish!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 05, 2018 at 5:08 pm

        Thanks so much Ashley!

        Reply
    8. Lori

      October 05, 2018 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect holiday side dish!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 05, 2018 at 3:13 pm

        Thanks Lori! It is easy and always impresses!

        Reply
    9. Melissa Sperka

      October 05, 2018 at 9:36 am

      5 stars
      I love classic dishes like this they compliment so many of our favorite entrees!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 05, 2018 at 3:13 pm

        Thanks Melissa! They really do taste so good with so many meals!

        Reply
    10. Aysegul

      October 05, 2018 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      Looks fresh and excellent.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 05, 2018 at 3:13 pm

        Thank you!! That is how I like my side dishes 🙂

        Reply
        • Patrick Rhodes

          February 22, 2019 at 8:07 pm

          Way to easy for a great side dish 😋

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            February 22, 2019 at 8:08 pm

            It can never be too easy Patrick 😉 Glad you enjoyed.

            Reply
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