Green Beans Almondine is a simple, yet delicious side dish that combines tender green beans with toasted almonds, caramelized shallots, and fresh lemon zest. An easy, tasty recipe that’s the perfect side for a holiday meal or a quick weeknight dinner. Pairs well with roasted chicken, salmon, or your favorite grass-fed steak.
Now that it’s November, I’m getting into the holiday spirit and I’ve been updating some of my favorite staple Thanksgiving recipes like this Mini Pumpkin Pies and Pumpkin Mousse.
I’ve also been creating a few new recipes that are perfect for holiday celebrations or for any night of the week. Did you happen to see the delicious Wild Rice Stuffing that I shared last week? So good!
Today, I’m bringing you Green Beans Almondine made with caramelized shallots and almond slices. It’s a light and bright side dish that’s so easy and incredibly flavorful. The beans are quickly cooked (blanched), so they’re still crisp and fresh-tasting but have a nice coating of olive oil, light sweetness from the caramelized shallots, and a pop of fresh flavor from the lemon zest.
What is Green Beans Almondine?
Also known as green beans ‘amandine’, this is a simple dish that sounds fussy and complicated but is SO easy to make. Almondine is the French word for almonds, so green beans almondine is just a fancy way of saying green beans and almonds!
Ingredients Needed:
This green bean recipe is made with simple, wholesome ingredients. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free. Here’s what’s needed:
- Green beans – I like to use French haricot vert green beans for this dish. They are thinner and shorter than regular green beans and I find them to be a bit more tender and flavorful too. They often come pre-packaged in bags in the produce area. If you can’t find haricot vert green beans, regular-sized green beans work great too.
- Extra virgin olive oil – For cooking all of the ingredients.
- Sliced almonds – Signature ingredient for this side! The toasted almonds give the green beans a nice crunch and delicious flavor.
- Shallot – A type of onion that has a delicate, sweet flavor with just a hint of sharpness. You can substitute with about 1/4 cup (minced) sweet or yellow onion, if you’d like.
- Garlic – For extra flavor.
- Salt & pepper – A must for any veggie side dish to really bring out all of the deliciousness!
- Lemon zest – Adds brightness and fresh flavor!
How to Prepare Fresh Green Beans
To prep the green beans for making this recipe, you’ll want to wash them off, then trim off the stem end. I like to line a handful of green beans up, then cut the stems off all at once. You can also buy pre-washed and trimmed beans (usually labeled as “Ready to Eat Green Beans” to save time. These packages of prepared beans are usually in the produce section of the grocery store with other prepared vegetables.
How to Make Green Beans Almondine
This gorgeous side dish recipe could not be easier! Here’s the simple process:
- Blanch the green beans. Place the green beans along with 2 teaspoons salt in a large saucepan or pot of boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes and until they turn bright green. Drain, then immediately rinse under cold water. Drain again.
- Cook almonds and shallot. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds, stirring to coat with the oil. Add the shallot, garlic, pepper and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots become softened and the almonds are toasted, about 5 minutes.
- Add the green beans. Transfer the green beans to the skillet, using tongs to toss them with almond mixture. Cook 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
- Serve. Transfer the green bean mixture to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and serve with the lemon wedges. Enjoy!
What to Serve With Green Beans Almondine
This is one of those side dishes that go with almost anything from meatloaf to salmon! Here’s a list of some great pairing options:
- Baked Barbecue Chicken
- Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken
- Crispy Baked Fish Sticks
- Baked Turkey Meatballs
Are Green Beans Good for You?
Yes! Green beans are a nutritious addition to your diet. They contain plant protein and are a great source of Vitamin A, C, and K, potassium, iron, and calcium. Green beans are also low in calories, low sodium, low carb, and high in fiber.
Make Ahead
Green Beans Almondine is a great make-ahead dish! To get a head start on this recipe, go ahead and blanch and drain the green beans. They can then be stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook and up to 3 days.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftovers you might have in an airtight storage container in the fridge for up to about 4 days. Reheat over the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave until green beans are warm.
You can also freeze this green beans dish for up to 3 months.
If you make and enjoy this Green Beans Almondine recipe, be sure to leave a comment and ★ rating below letting me know how they turned out. Your feedback is so helpful for me and our Clean & Delicious community (thank you!).
Green Beans Almondine
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900g) green beans trimmed
- Kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup (35g) sliced almonds
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 2-3 wedges fresh lemon
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil with 2 teaspoons salt. Add the green beans and cook 2-3 minutes, until they turn bright green. Drain, then immediately rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking. Drain again.
- Heat the oil in a large (12-inch) non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds, stirring to coat with the oil. Add the shallot, garlic, pepper and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots become softened and the almonds are toasted, about 5 minutes.
- Add the green beans to the skillet, using tongs to toss them with almond mixture. Cook 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Then, transfer the green beans to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and serve with the lemon wedges.
Kristin Cospito says
Always one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing this recipe. This will def. be a Thanksgiving side this year.
Catherine Santulli says
Always love Dani’s recipes. They are a staple in my household. My kids LOVE them!!
Would love the option for 10 stars because it’s well deserved!!
Dani says
Thanks, Catherine! So glad you and your kids are enjoying the recipes. Thanks for taking the time to let me know and to leave a review!
LP says
So simple and so delicious!
Teddy says
Thanks, Dani – These were amazing! My wife loves Green Beans and she said this is the one for TG!