Want a delicious side dish that’s super flavorful, fast, and easy? Call off the search because these green beans with almonds are your answer. I make these for my family when I want a no-fuss side dish that feels a little special despite its simplicity.
Green bean almondine sounds fancy — and honestly, it deserves to. This French classic (haricots verts amandine, if we’re being proper about it) takes simple green beans and transforms them with buttery toasted almonds into something elegant, nutty, and just a little bit bistro-chic.
What I love most is how effortless it is. A quick blanch and sauté, a handful of slivered almonds for crunch, and suddenly you’ve got a side dish that feels special without any extra fuss. It’s bright, buttery, lightly crisp, and pairs beautifully with everything — the kind of recipe you’ll keep in your back pocket all year long.
Expert tips for crunchy, buttery, green bean almondine
This green bean almondine is simple enough to make on autopilot after a time or two — but a few small tricks make it truly shine. Keep these in mind:
- Blanch your beans: A quick blanch gives you bright, crisp-tender beans with the perfect snap. It’s the secret to that vibrant color and just-right texture.
- Salt the water well: Seasoning the blanching water flavors the beans from the inside out and helps them keep that gorgeous green hue.
- Toast almonds in butter: A little butter adds rich, nutty flavor and keeps the almonds from scorching as they toast.
Variations for green beans with almonds
Green beans with almonds are beautifully simple, but they’re also the perfect blank canvas. A small tweak can completely shift the flavor to match whatever main you’re serving. Here are a few easy ways to change things up:
- Add a shallot: Sauté thinly sliced shallot with the garlic for extra savory depth.
- Cheesy finish: Sprinkle over freshly grated Parmesan at the end for a rich, salty touch — especially lovely alongside lasagna, pasta, or roasted chicken.
- Nut swap: No almonds? Pine nuts (or another favorite nut) work beautifully.
- Savory boost: Toss in some crispy bacon for a salty, smoky upgrade.
Can I use frozen green beans?
Frozen beans have a higher water content than fresh ones, so they won’t have the same tender-crisp texture. If you can’t get fresh ones, let the frozen ones thaw completely and use a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. You can skip the blanching the beans step if you’re using frozen.
Can I make these green beans with almonds ahead of time?
You sure can! This is a really convenient side for hosting, as you can prep ahead and then just heat them before serving. Simply boil the green beans and plunge them into an ice bath for at least 15 seconds. Then, toast the almonds and garlic and set them aside. A few minutes before you want to serve them, reheat the butter, then add the blanched beans and cook for a few minutes until they’re ready!
How do I store leftover green beans with almonds?
Let them cool to room temperature, then transfer to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the pan, adding butter or oil as needed. Microwaving beans can make them a bit soggy, so avoid that if possible.
Green Beans with Buttery Almonds
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Ingredients
- ▢ 1 lb French green beans (see notes)
- ▢ 2 tablespoon butter
- ▢ ¼ cup sliced almonds
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- ▢ ½ lemon (zest and juice)
- ▢ salt and pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large frying pan halfway with water and salt it well. Bring it to a boil over high heat and then add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until crisp tender but not fully cooked. 1 lb French green beans
- While the beans simmer, fill a large bowl with ice water. Use tongs to transfer the green beans from the pan to the bowl.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Drain the water from the pan and add the butter. When it’s melted, add the almonds and let them toast for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the garlic, and let it cook off the heat for 1 minute. 2 tablespoon butter, ¼ cup sliced almonds, 2 cloves garlic
- Put the pan back on the heat and use tongs to transfer the beans from the ice bowl to the pan. Cook the beans for 3-4 minutes, until they are tender. Stir in the lemon zest and juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. ½ lemon, salt and pepper
Video
Notes
- Saute a little thinly sliced shallot with the garlic.
- Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Use slivered almonds instead of sliced.
- Make them extra garlicky with a few additional cloves.
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Green Beans with Buttery Almonds
Ingredients
- 1 lb French green beans , see notes
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 2 cloves garlic , finely minced
- ½ lemon , zest and juice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large frying pan halfway with water and salt it well. Bring it to a boil over high heat and then add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until crisp tender but not fully cooked. 1 lb French green beans
- While the beans simmer, fill a large bowl with ice water. Use tongs to transfer the green beans from the pan to the bowl.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Drain the water from the pan and add the butter. When it’s melted, add the almonds and let them toast for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the garlic, and let it cook off the heat for 1 minute. 2 tablespoon butter, ¼ cup sliced almonds, 2 cloves garlic
- Put the pan back on the heat and use tongs to transfer the beans from the ice bowl to the pan. Cook the beans for 3-4 minutes, until they are tender. Stir in the lemon zest and juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. ½ lemon, salt and pepper
Notes
- Saute a little thinly sliced shallot with the garlic.
- Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Use slivered almonds instead of sliced.
- Make them extra garlicky with a few additional cloves.
