Fresh Green Beans Almondine is a simple and delicious recipe that is made on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes, using just 6 ingredients. Crisp green beans are parboiled and then sauteed with sliced almonds, caramelized shallots, garlic, and fresh lemon zest. An easy, healthy side dish for steak, fish, or chicken and is also perfect for your Thanksgiving menu.

green bean almandine in a large white bowl near a small bowl of almonds

Green Beans Almondine is a light and fresh holiday side that makes a great alternative to green bean casserole. The crunchy sliced almonds and caramelized shallots with the bright lemon flavor create a simple, delicious, and nutritious vegetable side dish that is special enough for the holidays yet easy enough for a busy weeknight.

In my opinion, enjoying green beans for Thanksgiving is a must! The string 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 with 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: We like to use French haricot vert green beans for this dish. They are thinner and shorter than regular string beans and tend to be a bit more tender and flavorful. 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: Slivered almonds are a 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 savory flavor.
Salt & pepper: A must for any veggie side dish to really bring out all of the deliciousness!
Lemon zest: Adds the perfect amount of acidity, brightness, and fresh flavor!

Fresh green beans, lemon, garlic cloves, shallot and sliced almonds.

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, and 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 This Recipe

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 for 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!

Blanched green beans in a colander. — Blanch green beans, drain and rinse with cold water.

Toasting sliced almonds with a minced shallot and a minced garlic clove in a white skillet. — Blanch green beans, drain and rinse with cold water.

Expert Tips

Don’t skip blanching the beans! This quick extra step ensures the green beans stay bright green in color, while still being cooked inside.
Salt cooking water: Be sure to add 2 teaspoons of salt to the cooking water. Salting the water will season the green beans, and help them retain their bright green color.
Don’t overcook the green beans: When blanching the green beans in the boiling water, only cook them until they are crisp-tender. If you cook them until they are soft, they will break down in the skillet and become overly mushy.
Mince the shallot: We recommend mincing the shallot and clove of garlic as opposed to dicing or chopping them. This will reduce sauté time, and also help distribute their flavors better in the finished recipe.

Serving Suggestions

This is one of those side dishes that go with almost anything from a holiday feast to meatloaf or salmon! Here’s a list of some great pairing options, if you’re serving these for your everyday dinner:

Are Green Beans Good for You?

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.

green beans almandine in a large white serving bowl

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 the green beans are warm.

You can also freeze this green bean dish for up to 3 months.

green beans topped with almonds and lemon wedges

If you’re looking for a more easy, healthy sides for holiday meals, look no further! We’ve got you covered with Wild Rice Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta, Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes, and Savory Mashed Butternut Squash.

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!).

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