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    Home · Recipes · Side Dishes · Green Bean Almondine

    March 7, 2019

    Green Bean Almondine

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    If you're looking for a simple way to spruce up fresh green beans, Green Bean Almondine is a seriously flavorful solution.

    The name may mislead some into thinking it's a complex recipe, but rest assured, these buttery beans topped with a crunchy almond sauce comes together quickly and with very few ingredients.

    Green Bean Almondine served in a white oval baking dish.

    Today, in addition to an easy (and quite tasty) Green Bean Almondine Recipe, we'll cover fun facts like the difference between Almondine and Amandine, which kind of beans to buy, e-ver-y-thing you need to know about Almondine sauce, why blanching is an optional step, and the best way to serve up this famous side dish.

    WHAT IS GREEN BEAN ALMONDINE?

    Green Bean Almondine is a fresh and light side dish of French origin. It features fresh green beans, sliced almonds, butter, and lemon juice. It's fast, it's easy, and it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

    GREEN BEANS ALMONDINE OR AMANDINE?

    Amandine is a French culinary term that indicates an almond garnish. Almondine pretty much means the same thing, it is just the American spelling associated with the word. An "amandine" garnish goes far beyond green beans. It can be used for topping all kinds of fish, as well as vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, and more.

    Green Bean Almondine plated in a oval white baking dish topped with slivered almonds.

    INGREDIENTS

    As mentioned above, Green Bean Almondine is very simple to prepare. This is mostly thanks to the limited number of ingredients called for in the recipe. The dish really comes down to two main components -- the vegetables and the sauce. 

    • Fresh Green Beans
    • Butter
    • Sliced Almonds
    • Lemon 
    • Salt and Pepper

    WHICH GREEN BEANS TO BUY?

    Do not attempt to make Green Bean Almondine with canned green beans -- only fresh will do. Fresh green beans have a sweet, somewhat nutty flavor and boast a lovely texture once cooked. 

    These days you can typically find them already strung, snipped and packaged in the produce section of the grocery store. And, while you're in the produce section, you might also notice there is more than one kind of green bean.

    These days most grocery stores carry both standard American green beans and their slender (slightly more tender) French cousin, Haricot Verts. Either one will work for Green Bean Almondine.

    WHAT'S IN ALMONDINE SAUCE?

    Remember, the origin of "amandine" is French so naturally, this sauce begins with the good stuff -- butter. Be sure to purchase unsalted butter as it will give you more control over the sodium within your dish. However, if you've already got salted butter on hand, just be sure to taste-test before adding any more to your dish.

    And, of course, you can't have Green Bean Almondine without sliced almonds, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten things up.

    Overhead shot of Green Bean Almondine served in a white oval baking dish.

    HOW TO MAKE GREEN BEAN ALMONDINE

    If you can boil water, you can make fresh green beans, and that is precisely how we will begin.

    1. Boil and blanch the green beans.
    2. Add butter to a pan and melt. Add almonds and cook 3-5 minutes, until toasted.
    3. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the pan, followed by the green beans and stir.

    TO BLANCH...OR NOT TO BLANCH?

    Before you begin boiling your green beans, you'll want to have a large bowl of ice water off to the side. This will be for blanching. Blanching green vegetables as soon as they finish cooking not only helps them to stop the cooking process immediately (keeping them from becoming too soft) but it also helps to preserve color and prevents them from discoloring.

    COOK THE GREEN BEANS

    Once you've decided whether or not you'll be blanching, get your water up to a roaring boil and cook the green beans until tender, about 6 minutes. 

    MAKE THE ALMONDINE SAUCE

    Almondine sauce comes together very quickly and you'll start by melting the butter in a large pan. Watch closely as butter tends to burn quickly. Once the butter has melted, you'll add your almonds to the pan. The toasty almonds will flavor the butter and vice versa.

    Once the almonds have begun to take on a golden color, add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the sauce and stir. Ad this point you can either add the green beans to the pan and toss to combine or spoon the sauce over the green beans on a serving platter.

    HOW TO SERVE IT: HOT OR COLD?

    Green Bean Almondine should be served warm. If you'd like to get some of the prep done in advance, you can boil your green beans and blanch them a day or two ahead of time. Reheat them in the microwave and prepare the sauce just before serving.

    A close up shot of Green Bean Almondine in a white baking dish.

    5 MORE SIDE DISHES YOU’LL LOVE

    • Green Beans with Tomatoes and Bacon is an easy, slow-cooking side dish made special with fresh green beans, bacon, and fire-roasted canned tomatoes.
    • Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Cheese  features freshly cooked green beans, baked in an incredible homemade cream of mushroom sauce and topped with crispy French fried onions.
    • Pesto Pasta Salad is a creamy pasta salad made with bowtie noodles, grape tomatoes, green beans, and fresh Mozzarella.
    • Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a family-friendly side dish Ranch lovers will swoon for. Pasta salad coated in a quick and easy Ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought), crispy bacon, and more!
    • Fresh Green Beans are still great on their own, so don't fret if you can't swing an Almondine sauce tonight. Featuring over fifteen amazing ways to eat fresh green beans in stellar side dishes, salads, and main courses.
    4.82 from 11 votes
    Green Bean Almondine
    Print
    Green Bean Almondine
    Cook Time
    15 mins
    Total Time
    15 mins
     

    Green Bean Almondine is a simple, crowd-pleasing side dish that's full of flavor! Featuring fresh green beans, sliced almonds, butter, and lemon juice.

    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: Green Beans Almondine
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 180 kcal
    Author: Kelly Anthony
    Ingredients
    • 1 (12 ounce) package fresh green beans ( washed and snipped )
    • ½ cup sliced almonds
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • Generous pinch of black pepper
    Instructions
    1. Have ready a large bowl filled with ice water. Fill a large pot about a ⅓ of the way with water and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and add green beans. 

    2. Boil for 6 minutes (or just until al dente), remove from the heat with a slotted spoon and transfer to the bowl of ice water. Drain well and set aside.

    3. Add the butter to a large pan over medium-low heat, and allow it to melt. Add the almonds and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, just until toasted. Do not allow butter to burn. 

    4. Add the green beans, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the pan and stir to coat. 

    5. Continue over medium-low heat, stirring often, just until the green beans are warmed through, 2-4 minutes. 

    Nutrition Facts
    Green Bean Almondine
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 180 Calories from Fat 135
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 15g23%
    Saturated Fat 5g31%
    Cholesterol 22mg7%
    Sodium 442mg19%
    Potassium 274mg8%
    Carbohydrates 9g3%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 4g8%
    Vitamin A 850IU17%
    Vitamin C 11.8mg14%
    Calcium 70mg7%
    Iron 1.4mg8%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    PInterest image for Green Bean Almondine | Green Bean Amandine

    Sources: The Spruce Eats | Amandine: A Culinary Preparation Featuring Almonds

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    Comments

    1. Gloria says

      March 12, 2019 at 8:03 pm

      Green beans are something my whole family loves, even the grandchildren. Adding almonds just elevates them to a whole new level. The perfect side dish for the holiday dinner table. Great to take along to potlucks too.

      Reply
    2. Julie Wallace says

      March 12, 2019 at 8:19 pm

      This was always a staple at family gatherings growing up. You're right, such a crowd-pleaser. Although I have to admit, when I found out that Amandine/Almondine just means "almond garnish", that was kind of a let-down, right? The name is so pretty and fancy-sounding, but it's just almond garnish? What? Lol

      Reply
      • Kelly Anthony says

        March 15, 2019 at 12:49 pm

        Ha! So true 😉

        Reply
    3. Elizabeth says

      March 12, 2019 at 8:21 pm

      What a gorgeous sounding recipe! Such a delicious way to jazz up the humble green bean. I'll definitely be trying this when they're in season!

      Reply
    4. Hannah F Healy says

      March 12, 2019 at 10:42 pm

      This looks like such a perfect tasty and healthy side dish!

      Reply
      • Kelly Anthony says

        March 15, 2019 at 12:47 pm

        Thank you, Hannah!

        Reply
    5. Jillian says

      March 12, 2019 at 11:16 pm

      Ok I am in love with these green beans! Great idea giving them a splash of lemon for a light, spring time flavor!

      Reply
    6. Candice says

      October 10, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      Love this lighter green bean dish for Thanksgiving! I've added it to the menu, and know it will be a bigger hit than the usual green bean casserole. Elevated green beans... great recipe!

      Reply
    7. Jacqueline Debono says

      October 10, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      I love green beans but have never had a green bean almondine. It looks and sounds delicious. Going to make this for our next dinner party!

      Reply
    8. Sapana says

      October 10, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      So simply, flavorful, and perfect as a side!

      Reply
    9. Stephanie says

      October 10, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      I love how easy this sounds and such a great way to switch up green beans. This will be the perfect addition to the Thanksgiving menu.

      Reply
      • Kelly Anthony says

        October 11, 2019 at 1:24 am

        Thank you, Stephanie!

        Reply

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