Green Beans Almondine

Green Beans Almondine is a simple vegetable side dish recipe featuring tender, yet crisp blanched green beans scattered with golden almonds, flecks of shallot, and lemon zest. This classic side makes an elegant addition to any dinner party or holiday table and is simple enough for weeknight family dinners.

Looking for more tasty green bean recipes? Fresh or frozen green beans are delicious in this Zesty Green Bean Casserole with homemade mushroom sauce and so tasty steamed with butter and dill. Or whip up a quick Arugula Walnut Pesto while the green beans are cooking in the air fryer.

Green Beans Almondine

If you’re looking for an easy green bean recipe, look no further. This simple side dish combines sautéed green beans and toasted almonds in an incredible side dish. It’s fresh, it’s tasty, and it’s completely gluten free.

On the farm, green bean season was fast and furious. My mom preserved much of this harvest through canning and freezing. Her favourite way to eat green beans was with plenty of butter, white vinegar, salt, and pepper. Simple and delicious.

I prefer different flavours but still love to keep things simple. Fresh green beans blanched then sautéed in butter or olive oil then topped with toasted sliced or slivered almonds. A squirt of fresh lemon juice and additional lemon zest lend just enough acidity to wake up those taste buds.

What is Blanching?

Blanching is a culinary technique in which food is briefly submerged in boiling water and then immediately plunged into an ice bath (a process known as shocking) to halt the cooking process instantly.

When done properly, this process destroys the enzymes that cause vegetables to ripen, which causes undesirable changes in food flavour, colour, and texture.

The secret to vivid green beans is care and attention during the blanching step. Do not overcook them or they will become dull green and lose their crisp texture. Once cooked, immediately transfer the beans from the boiling water into ice water to quickly stop the cooking process.

Ingredients for Green Beans Almondine

For this recipe you will need a large pot, a strainer, a large bowl, a spatula, a citrus zester, measuring cups and spoons, and a large skillet. The ingredients you will need are:

• French green beans (haricot verts)
• Salt
• Unsalted Butter
• Sliced Almonds
• Shallot
• Garlic
• Black Pepper
• Lemon

Whether homegrown or store bought, you’ll need to trim the stem end off the beans before cooking. Remove or leave the tail on, if preferred. Choose firm fresh beans that are not too large in diameter, with bright green colouring and little to no blemishes.

Use unsalted butter or olive oil and season with salt or use salted butter if you prefer. Sliced or slivered almonds will work in this recipe. Sliced almonds with skins on look extra pretty on vibrant green beans.

Shallot and garlic ground the dish with aromatic flavour while black pepper and lemon wake up the palate.

How to Make Green Beans Almondine

Blanch the Beans

To begin making this Green Beans Almondine recipe, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.

Add the fresh green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are bright green in colour and have a crisp, but tender texture. Use a strainer to immediately transfer the beans to the ice bath. Discard the hot water.

Once cool, drain the beans well and pat dry with paper towels as thoroughly as possible.

Finish the Dish

To complete the dish, melt the butter (or add olive oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the almonds are golden brown and the butter smells nutty.

Next, add the shallot and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds then return the blanched beans to the pan. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Toss and warm beans for 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through and thoroughly coated with the butter.

Remove beans from the heat and toss with lemon juice and zest. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Three to four minutes of blanching should produce bright, crisp, and tender beans.
• Haricot verts typically come trimmed so it’s a great option for a dish that comes together
• quickly.
• Dry the beans, or at least shake as much water off as possible, to prevent butter spattering and a watery sauce.
• Watch the almonds closely because they can move from golden to overdone quickly.
• Add lemon juice off the heat to preserve its fresh, bright flavour.

Make Ahead and Leftover Storage

To make these green beans ahead of time, blanch and chill the green beans up to a day ahead, dry them thoroughly, and refrigerate in an airtight container. Finish them with the browned butter, almonds, aromatics, and lemon shortly before serving.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in a skillet over medium heat so the beans retain as much texture as possible.

Hi! I’m Bernice Hill, the heart and soul behind Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen. It is my pleasure to share easy to follow recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and approachable for the whole family.

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