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If there’s one side dish that never fails to make me feel like I have my life together —even when I’m still in slippers and there’s flour on my face —it’s green bean almondine. This classic French side dish (or, if you’re fancy, haricots verts amandine) takes regular green beans and gives them a buttery glow up.
This simple recipe for a French green bean side dish pairs perfectly with your favorite main course and turns humble green beans into an elegant side dish. The sautéed green beans with almonds evoke a classic French feel, almost like a mini vacation to France without leaving your house. I love using haricot verts amandine, those delicate French green beans, for a truly buttery experience. The toasted almonds, lemon zest, and brown butter create a nutty flavor that makes this dish a massive hit at any holiday feast. It’s one of my favorite ways to turn minimal ingredients into a delicious side dish that’s worthy of five-star reviews.
The Chemistry of Green Bean Almondine
The secret to perfect green beans almondine is all the blanching and shocking. When you blanch your fresh green beans in a large pot of salted water, the salt seasons the beans from the inside out, while helping preserve their bright green color. The ice water bath (or ice bath, if we’re being proper) immediately stops the cooking process so the beans stay crisp-tender instead of turning into limp string beans. The unsalted butter melts into a silky butter sauce, enhanced by golden brown almonds and a touch of lemon zest for that pop of brightness. It’s a simple recipe, but every step- from the already-boiling water to the squeeze of lemon at the end plays a role in creating the perfect bite.
Recipe Troubleshooting
Overcooking the beans is the most common mistake. It’s a fine line between tender and mushy, and those extra 30 seconds in boiling water can make all the difference. Use enough water and pull them out the moment they turn that perfect bright green color.
Burnt almonds? Almonds go from golden brown to bitter in seconds, especially if the heat’s too high or you stop stirring. Keep the skillet on medium heat and babysit those almonds like they’re your firstborn.
How do you keep green beans bright and crisp? Blanching and shocking! Drop them in already-boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, then dunk them in water.
Fresh, frozen, or canned beans? Always fresh green beans if you can- frozen can work in a pinch, but skip canned.
What if you don’t have slivered almonds? Sliced almonds or even chopped pecans will work.
Tasted too bland? Add salt earlier- seasoning the water helps flavor the tender beans from the start.
Step One: Boil and blanch your green beans. Boil for 2 minutes and then place hot green beans in ice-cold water.
Step Two: Cook butter, shallot & and garlic until fragrant (3 minutes).
Step Three: Toast the almond slivers in the buttery sauce.
Step Four: Add the blanched green beans, salt, pepper, lemon juice & zest.
Step Five: Combine, warm, and serve.
Serving Suggestions
Reserve your finished dish in a warm ceramic or cast-iron serving dish to keep it hot. I love adding a little extra lemon zest and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before bringing it to the table- it makes those toasted almonds shine. This dish pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, pork chops, or baked chicken thighs. For holiday meals, serve it alongside stuffing, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, or maple-glazed sweet potatoes. Add a few fresh thyme leaves or parsley for color contrast. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle with a bit of brown butter before serving. Bonus: it looks stunning on a serving platter- perfect for your next dinner party.
Seasonal Serving Suggestions
As we slide into the cozy chaos of Thanksgiving and Christmas, this fresh green bean recipe for fall deserves a spot on your holiday dinner table. It’s one of those quick holiday sides that feels special but doesn’t require a culinary degree. I love it served alongside Christmas vegetable recipes, especially when I am tired of green bean casserole. It’s perfect for a holiday feast, but light enough for a regular weeknight dinner. If you’re hosting friends this season, this dish photographs beautifully for social media- all that bright green colors, golden slivered almonds, and a squeeze of lemon look stunning on a rustic serving dish.
Holiday Planning Tip
Whether you’re planning a holiday dinner, a weeknight dinner, or just trying to sneak something green onto the plate, this green beans almondine recipe is a delicious side dish that always delivers. And the best part? It looks impressive, but it takes just 20 minutes and uses the most basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To rehear, sauté over medium-low heat with a touch of butter or olive oil- it keeps the texture from getting soggy.
Freezer- Blanch and shock the beans first, then dry thoroughly and freeze in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the butter sauce.
Make-ahead- Blanch and shock your green beans a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge when it’s go-time sauté with butter, shallots, garlic, and almonds. Add the lemon juice just before serving for maximum freshness.
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Buttery Green Bean Almondine in 20 Minutes
If you’ve ever tried the Green Bean Almondine, let this be the year. It’s a classic French side dish that proves a humble green bean can, in fact, steal the show. Between the nutty flavor, butter sauce, and that touch of lemon juice, it’s impossible not to fall in love. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, a holiday feast, or just because it’s Tuesday, it’s one of those simple recipes that make you feel like a kitchen rockstar. So go ahead- grab those fresh beans, heat that frying pan, and create something elegant tonight. Your dinner guests (and your future self) will thank you.
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Fresh Green Bean Almondine with Toasted Almonds
Ingredients
- 12 oz green beans
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 shallot minced
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1 lemon juiced & zested
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Start by blanching the green beans. Put a pot of salted water on the stovetop over high heat. Once boiling, add the green beans. Boil for 2-3 minutes. While the beans are boiling, assemble a boil of ice water.
- Scoop the beans out with a slotted spoon and place in the ice water to stop cooking.
- Place a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Put 4 tbsp of unsalted butter in the skillet and allow it to melt.
- Add 1 tsp minced garlic and one shallot, minced, to the melted butter. Cook until fragrant (about 3 minutes).
- Add 1/2 cup slivered almonds and toast for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the blanched green beans. Toss until coated and combined.
- Add 1 lemon, juiced and zested, 1 tsp of fine sea salt, and 1/4 tsp ground pepper. Toss to combine. Serve warm.
Nutrition
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