Green Beans Lemon Almonds (Printable)
Tender green beans tossed with toasted almonds and bright lemon for a flavorful, simple side.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
→ Nuts & Dairy
03 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds
04 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or olive oil for vegan)
→ Seasonings
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
07 - 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add sliced almonds and toast, stirring frequently, for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
03 - Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.
04 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, tossing to coat with butter, almonds, and garlic.
05 - Remove from heat. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Toss well. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The toasted almonds add a gorgeous crunch that makes every bite interesting
- Lemon cuts through richness without overpowering the delicate beans
- This comes together in under 20 minutes but looks like something from a restaurant
02 -
- The ice bath step isn't optional if you want that bright green color instead of dull army green beans
- Adding garlic at the very end prevents burning and keeps its flavor sweet rather than bitter
03 -
- Buy your green beans the same day you plan to cook them for the snappiest texture
- If you can only find thick beans, add an extra minute to the blanching time