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Jump to RecipeThis delicious, simple yet elegant side dish is an easy, no-stress version of the classic French recipe. Almondine (or amandine) is a culinary term for an almond garnish. Green Beans Almondine is just a fancy way of saying green beans with almonds and merely is green beans tossed with toasted sliced almonds (sautéed in butter) and a few other ingredients. My easy variation includes sautéed, garlic, lemon juice, and a touch of nutmeg, which adds a mildly nutty flavor. However, if you don’t have nutmeg, no worries. The dish will taste great without it.
I love serving green beans. The bright green color will cheer up the dreariest winter evening. They are a healthy, low-calorie, no cholesterol veggie providing vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin K, silicon (needed for healthy bones, skin, and hair), and minerals. While we all agree that fresh is best, frozen or canned green beans will work just as well, with the added bonus already being prepped. Canned or frozen have similar nutritional value as those in the produce section because they are processed at the height of their freshness, so they retain more nutrients than you might expect. That said, you do need to be cognizant of the added sodium. The beans are steamed in the microwave instead of being parboiled on the stove. This eliminates the need for an ice water bath, saving time and cutting down on clean-up. A microwave-safe bowl, a couple of tablespoons of water, and plastic wrap are all you need. The microwave produces perfect green beans every time, in a matter of 2-3 minutes.
Green Beans Almondine pairs perfectly with beef, pork, chicken, or fish. While I love the simple elegance of this side dish as it is, there are a few ways you can zhoosh it up. This includes adding sliced mushrooms (saute with almonds) or stirring in a 1/3 cup cooked, crumbled bacon after adding the green beans or topping off the dish by sprinkling with parmesan cheese before serving.
Easy Green Beans Almondine
Course: SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutesGreen beans tossed with toasted almonds and garlic in an easy butter lemon sauce is a simple variation of a classic French dish.
Ingredients
• 1 lb fresh green beans (see notes for canned or frozen green beans)
• ¼ cup butter (four tablespoons or a half stick)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• Salt & pepper, to taste
Directions
- Thoroughly rinse fresh green beans, trim off ends and cut into 2-inch pieces. Place the green beans into a microwave-safe dish with 1-2 tablespoons of water and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2-3 minutes until almost crisp-tender. Drain water and stir. Leave uncovered to release steam.
- Melt butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook just until the almonds are golden (about 2 minutes). Stir in garlic and nutmeg.
- Add green beans and lemon juice to butter and almond mixture, season with salt & pepper. Cook, stirring until warmed through, 2 minutes.
Notes
- Substitute fresh green beans for1 bag (14-15 oz) frozen green beans or 1 (14.5 oz) canned green beans. Prepare as directed on package.
- Substitute fresh garlic for 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- Sautéing the sliced almonds in the butter, as opposed to dry in the skillet, not only adds flavor but prevents the almonds from toasting too quickly
- Nutmeg adds a mildly nutty flavor. Ground nutmeg works great but freshly grated is best. If you don’t have nutmeg, no worries – it’s optional.
- Cut the beans at an angle for a more “fancy” look
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