Description
Classic Green Beans Almondine is a fresh, elegant, and easy side dish that turns simple ingredients into something truly special. Crisp-tender green beans are tossed with buttery toasted almonds, garlic, shallots, and a touch of lemon juice for a flavorful dish that works perfectly for weeknight dinners, holiday meals, and healthy dinner ideas. This quick vegetable recipe delivers the perfect balance of texture and flavor while staying light, vibrant, and satisfying. Whether you need easy side dishes for Thanksgiving, healthy food ideas for family dinners, or a quick recipe that looks impressive on the table, Classic Green Beans Almondine is always a reliable choice. The combination of fresh green beans and crunchy almonds creates a timeless recipe that pairs beautifully with chicken, turkey, steak, seafood, and vegetarian meals.
Ingredients
1 pound fresh green beans trimmed
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 cloves garlic minced
1 small shallot finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 cups water
2 cups ice
Instructions
1. Wash and trim the fresh green beans by removing the stem ends and setting them aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl filled with ice water nearby.
3. Add the green beans to the boiling water and blanch for 3 to 5 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
4. Immediately transfer the green beans to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color.
5. Drain the beans thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
6. Place a large skillet over medium heat and toast the sliced almonds, stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant.
7. Remove the toasted almonds from the skillet and set them aside.
8. Melt the butter in the same skillet and add the chopped shallot. Cook until softened and translucent.
9. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
10. Add the green beans to the skillet and sauté for several minutes until heated through and coated in the buttery mixture.
11. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and season with salt and black pepper.
12. Return the toasted almonds to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly combined.
13. Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm.
Notes
Toast the almonds carefully because they can burn quickly once they begin browning.
Always transfer the green beans to an ice bath immediately after blanching to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant color.
For the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg