Green Bean Almondine
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The elegant yet simple Green Bean Almondine is a quick and easy popular classic! It features crisp-tender green beans coated in a buttery, garlicky sauce and finished with slivered almonds for a contrasting crunch!
What Is Green Bean Almondine
Green bean almondine, also known as “amandine” in French cuisine, transforms humble green beans into a show-stopping side! The secret lies in blanching the beans to retain their emerald hue and crispness, then sautéing them in a fragrant blend of garlic-infused lemon butter. And the fancy name? Courtesy of toasted almonds, lending an irresistible crunch!
Why You’ll Love Green Bean Almondine
- Easy Elegance! Despite its gourmet appeal, you can impress your guests with minimal effort. This recipe is surprisingly easy to whip up with a handful of basic ingredients in a few simple steps.
- Delicious Green Veggie! It’s an incredible combination of tastes and textures, featuring crisp-tender fresh green beans, a buttery garlicky sauce, toasted almonds, and a zesty hint of lemon.
- Versatile Side! Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or a Christmas feast, green bean almondine is a versatile side dish that complements a range of proteins from roast turkey to pork roast.
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans are the cornerstone of this dish. You can also use haricot verts, which are thinner French green beans.
- Almonds: Sliced or slivered almonds provide a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Forms the base of the buttery sauce, adding richness and depth of flavor. It’s important to use unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness of the dish. You can also use olive oil for a vegan option.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic infuses the dish with its intense aroma and savory taste.
- Lemon: The zest and juice of fresh lemon adds a bright, citrusy touch that enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Seasonings: Salt and black pepper are essential for seasoning and balancing the flavors.
- Fresh Parsley: Used as a garnish it adds a pop of color and a herbaceous finish.
This simple green beans recipe promises to add a touch of elegance to your table with minimal effort! Just ensure you blanch your beans properly, and it will turn out perfectly!
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then add the trimmed green beans and cook them for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. Now, drain them immediately and then plunge them into an ice water bath right away to stop the cooking process.
Next, use a large skillet and toast the sliced almonds over medium heat until golden brown. It typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes so just be patient. Then remove the almonds from the pan and set them aside.
First, using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Then add the minced garlic and lemon zest, and saute just until fragrant. Next, add the green beans to the skillet and saute them in the butter for about 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Then season them with salt and black pepper to taste.
Now, drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the green beans and toss them once more. Finally, add the toasted almonds and give the dish one last final toss. Then garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you like and serve your green bean almondine!
Serve This With
Bourbon Glazed Baked Ham
Prime Rib Roast
Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham
Spatchcock Turkey
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I customize the dish?
Consider finishing it with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, other fresh herbs, bacon bits, red pepper flakes, a drizzle of honey, or a splash of balsamic vinegar. You could also incorporate some cherry tomatoes for a burst of color.
Is it better to blanch green beans before sautéing?
Yes, blanching is key! Blanching preserves the vibrant color and crisp texture of the green beans. Sautéing them afterward in a flavorful blend ensures perfect taste and texture.
What is the difference between amandine and almondine?
Linguistically, “amandine” is the French term, while “almondine” is the English equivalent. Both refer to dishes featuring almonds.
Expert Tips
- Select the fresh green beans. The quality of your green beans is paramount to achieving the desired flavor and texture. Look for vibrantly green beans that are firm to the touch, indicating freshness and crispness.
- Master the blanching technique. Strike a balance between tenderness and crispness when blanching the green beans. Overcooking will result in mushy beans while undercooking will leave them with an undesirable raw crunch.
- Use an ice bath. Immediately after blanching, plunge the green beans into an ice bath to halt the cooking process and preserve their vibrant green hue. This quick temperature change locks in the perfect texture and color.
- Toast the almonds properly. Stir the almonds frequently while toasting to ensure an even golden brown color and prevent any risk of burning.
- Don’t burn the garlic. Sauté the garlic over medium heat just until it releases its fragrant aroma, but avoid allowing it to brown. Excessive browning can impart a bitter flavor.
- Add a touch of heat. Finish the green bean almondine with a pinch of red pepper flakes. This touch of spice enhances the overall flavor profile without overpowering.
Storage
You can store any leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, a quick sauté in a pan will help maintain the crunch of the almonds and the crisp quality of the green beans.
While it’s possible to freeze green bean almondine for up to 3 months, it’s important to note that freezing may alter the texture of the beans and the crunch of the almonds. If you choose to freeze, place the dish in an airtight container, leaving some space for expansion, and let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Discover More Delicious Sides
- Potatoes Romanoff
- Wild Rice Pilaf
- Easy Stuffing Recipe
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Baked Beans
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Potato and Green Bean Salad
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Green Bean Almondine
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans (ends trimmed)
- ½ cup almonds (sliced or slivered)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- zest of 1 lemon
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or more to taste)
- fresh parsley (for garnish)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for about 3-5 minutes, until they're tender but still crisp. Drain and immediately plunge them into an ice water bath to stop the cooking. This is the blanching process, and it keeps your green beans looking like emerald jewels!
- In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds, stirring frequently, until they're golden brown. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Remove the almonds and set them aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and lemon zest, cooking until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the blanched green beans to the skillet and toss them in the garlic-lemon butter. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they're heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle the lemon juice over the green beans and toss once more. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Add the toasted almonds back into the skillet and give everything a good mix. If you're feeling extra, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
- This dish is best served immediately.
Notes
- Blanching is Key: Blanching the green beans first makes them bright green and crisp-tender. Don’t skip the ice water bath after boiling, as it stops the cooking process immediately.
- Almond Options: You can use either sliced or slivered almonds. Toasting them in a skillet until golden brown brings out their nutty flavor, but keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly.
- Butter and Garlic: Cook the garlic just until it’s fragrant to avoid burning. The butter should be melted over medium heat – it adds a rich, silky coating to the beans.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: The zest adds a bright, citrusy aroma, while the juice brings a tangy flavor. Adjust the amount of lemon juice to suit your taste.
- Season to Taste: Don’t forget to taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can blanch the green beans ahead of time and keep them in the fridge. Just reheat them in the skillet when ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
