French Green Beans Almondine (Easy Green Beans with Almonds)

Enjoy this healthy, vegetarian French Green Beans Almondine recipe that's perfect for an easy side dish all year round. Ideal for weeknight dinners and Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner alike.

Today, we're sharing one of our favorite green bean recipes that's perfect for a crowd - French Green Beans Almondine. This easy side dish is a wonderful addition to your dinner table, whether it's for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion like Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Packed with flavor and crunch, it's a great way to make the most of fresh green beans. Its simplicity and delightful taste make it a crowd-pleaser, sure to impress your guests and family.

Wondering when is the best time to enjoy green beans? In the northern hemisphere, green beans are typically in season from May to October. In the southern hemisphere, you can enjoy their peak freshness from November to April. Making the most of seasonal ingredients ensures the best flavor and nutrition in your dishes.

This go-to recipe is not only impressive and delicious but also fast and nourishing. It's a healthy side dish that combines the crispness of fresh green beans with the richness of almonds and the zesty freshness of lemon. Perfect for those who want a quick yet wholesome meal addition.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• How to Make French Green Bean Almondine
• Chef's Tips
• Variations
• What to Serve with French Green Beans Almondine
• Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• French Green Beans Almondine (Easy Green Beans with Almonds)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This easy green bean recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, making it an effortless addition to your meal plan.
• Healthy: Packed with nutrients from fresh green beans and almonds, this dish is a nourishing choice for any occasion.
• No Special Equipment Needed: All you need is a large skillet and a few basic kitchen tools to whip up this delightful side dish.
• Perfect Side Dish: Whether it's for a weeknight dinner or a holiday feast, this green beans almondine complements a variety of main courses beautifully.
• Double Batch: This recipe is easy to scale up, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or ensuring you have leftovers for the next day.

Ingredients

• Fine Green Beans: The star of the dish, providing a fresh and crisp base.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the almonds and shallots to perfection.
• Raw Almonds: Bring a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
• Shallots: Enhance the dish with a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth.
• Garlic: Infuses the green beans with a savory, aromatic essence.
• Lemon: Adds a zesty brightness with its juice and zest, balancing the richness of the butter.
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make French Green Bean Almondine

Prep the Green Beans

• Wash and dry the fresh green beans.
• Use a sharp knife to trim the tops (not bottoms) off.

Blanch the Green Beans

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Season the water generously with salt.
• This helps season the tender green beans and retain their bright green color.
• Fill a large bowl with ice and water to create an ice bath.
• Blanch the green beans for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are crisp-tender.
• Slightly undercook the beans as they will continue to cook later.
• Use a slotted spoon and immediately transfer the beans to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
• Drain the beans and pat them dry with some paper towels.

Prep the Almonds

• In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter until lightly bubbling.
• Add the chopped almonds and sauté, stirring frequently, for 2 to 4 minutes, until they start to turn golden brown.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped shallots and garlic.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 3 minutes, until fragrant and lightly caramelized.

Sauté the Green Beans

• Add the green beans to the skillet and toss until everything is well combined and the beans are tender and warmed through.
• Stir the lemon zest and lemon juice into the sautéed green beans, tossing to coat.
• Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Serve and Enjoy!

Chef's Tips

• Use French Green Beans: French green beans, also known as haricot verts, provide the best flavor and texture for this dish. Avoid using canned green beans for optimal results.
• Blanching: Ensure you don't overcook the green beans during blanching. A quick 1 to 2 minutes in boiling water is enough to achieve that perfect crisp-tender texture.
• Ice Bath: Immediately transferring the blanched green beans to an ice bath stops the cooking process and helps retain their vibrant green color.
• Butter and Almonds: Sauté the almonds in butter until they are just golden brown to bring out their nutty flavor without burning them.
• Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground pepper just before serving to ensure the flavors are well-balanced.

Variations

• Bacon: Add crispy bacon bits for extra flavor and a delightful crunch. Cook the bacon until crispy, then use the bacon drippings to sauté the green beans for an additional layer of taste.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for Vegan): Replace the butter with extra virgin olive oil to make this dish vegan. Olive oil adds a rich flavor and keeps the dish plant-based.
• Chili: For a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes or finely chopped fresh chili over the sautéed green beans. This variation adds heat and enhances the overall flavor profile.

What to Serve with French Green Beans Almondine

• Chicken: Pair this dish with roasted or grilled chicken for a classic combination that's always a hit.
• Turkey: This green beans almondine makes a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving turkey, adding freshness and crunch.
• Salmon: Serve alongside baked or grilled salmon for a healthy and balanced meal.
• Lamb: Complement the rich flavors of lamb with the light and zesty notes of this green bean dish.
• Vegetable Lasagna: For a vegetarian option, pair with a hearty vegetable lasagna to create a wholesome and satisfying meal.
• Pork Chops: The freshness of green beans almondine works wonderfully with savory, juicy pork chops.

Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
• Reheat: Use the microwave, or reheat in a non-stick skillet with a little water or chicken broth over medium heat.
• Make Ahead: Perfect for parties or crowds with hassle-free prep. Prepare up to the end of step 2, cover, and refrigerate in an airtight container. When Ready - Finish the dish a la minute by reheating in a large skillet with butter and garlic until warmed through.

FAQs

Incorporating fresh green beans into your meals is a fantastic way to add both nutrition and flavor. This French Green Beans Almondine recipe is an easy, healthy, and delicious vegetable side dish that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, this recipe will help you create a dish that's sure to impress.

Give this green beans recipe a try and let us know how it turns out! Don't forget to share your experience in the comments below, and feel free to rate the recipe. For more easy side dish recipes and tips, subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned for our latest posts.

Happy Cooking!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.