Green Beans Almondine (Sautéed, Nutty, and Buttery)

A plate of sautéed green beans almondine, garnished with toasted almonds.

Green Beans Almondine is a simple, elegant side dish that pairs perfectly with almost any meal. The green beans are sautéed in butter and topped with toasted almonds, offering a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. This dish is light, yet full of flavor, and a great way to elevate a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

It’s a classic French recipe that’s easy to prepare and is always a crowd-pleaser.

Introduction

Green beans almondine is a traditional French side dish that’s easy to make yet feels sophisticated and flavorful. The green beans are cooked until just tender and then sautéed with butter, garlic, and almonds for added texture and richness. The toasted almonds add a nutty crunch that complements the tender green beans perfectly.

This side dish is versatile and can be served with a variety of main dishes like chicken, fish, or steak.

Why You’ll Love Green Beans Almondine

Simple ingredients: Green beans, butter, garlic, and almonds are all you need for this dish.
Crispy and nutty: The toasted almonds provide a satisfying crunch.
Buttery and rich: The green beans are sautéed in butter, making them rich and flavorful.
Quick and easy: This dish is ready in just 20 minutes.
Impressive: Despite its simplicity, green beans almondine looks impressive and is perfect for serving at dinner parties or holiday meals.

Ingredients for Green Beans Almondine

Overhead view of ingredients for roasting Brussels sprouts — Simple ingredients like Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper make a delicious dish

For the Green Beans

Green beans (1 lb, trimmed): The base of the dish.
Butter (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and flavor to the beans.
Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Adds a savory aroma and depth of flavor.
Almonds (1/4 cup, slivered or sliced): Toasted almonds give the dish a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Lemon (1/2, juiced): Adds a bright, fresh note to the dish.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor of the green beans.
Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds seasoning.

Green Beans Almondine Recipe Step-by-Step

Four-panel collage showing the process of making green beans almondine — Prepare, sauté, and serve this delicious side dish of green beans almondine

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

1. Blanch the green beans. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
2. Toast the almonds. In a large skillet, toast the almonds over medium heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the almonds from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the green beans. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Combine the green beans. Add the cooked green beans to the skillet and toss to coat with the butter and garlic. Sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
5. Finish the dish. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the green beans and squeeze lemon juice over the top. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve and enjoy. Serve the green beans almondine immediately as a delicious side dish.

Reader Review: These green beans almondine are so flavorful! The toasted almonds really make the dish.

Tips for Perfect Green Beans Almondine

Don’t overcook the green beans: Blanch them until they’re tender-crisp. They should still have a bit of bite to them.
Toast the almonds carefully: Keep an eye on the almonds while toasting them to prevent burning.
Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds the best flavor.

Variations & Substitutions

Different nuts: Try using toasted pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds for a variation on the classic.
Add cheese: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the green beans for an extra savory flavor.
Vegan version: Use olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free option.

Make-Ahead & Freezing

Make ahead: You can prepare the green beans and toss them with olive oil and seasoning up to 24 hours in advance. Store in the fridge until ready to roast.
Freezing: Green beans almondine is best served fresh, but you can freeze the sautéed green beans (without almonds) for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 350°F.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

For dinner: This dish pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, beef, or fish.
For holidays: Green beans almondine is perfect for holiday dinners like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
For parties: Serve it as a side dish at parties or potlucks for a classy touch.

If you make these green beans almondine, let me know how they turned out! What did you pair them with?