Green Bean Almondine (also known as Amandine) is a classic French side dish with tender sauteed beans tossed in light lemon/butter sauce and toasted almonds. This easy healthy recipe takes minimal effort to prep and will be a great addition to any meal.
Side dishes are my favorite part of any dinner, especially during the holiday season. They are fun, easy to prep, and a great compliment to the main dish.
You don’t want your side dishes to be boring, so make them flavorful, like these delicious Green Bean Almondine. They are perfectly sautéed until tender and tossed in light lemon/butter sauce and toasted almonds. This recipe is really easy to prep and you can make it ahead of the time and just reheat it before serving.
I love serving it together with Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan, Oven Roasted Butternut Squash, Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Gruyere Potatoes au Gratin, and many more. These beans will perfectly compliment any meat, like Oven Roasted Turkey Breast or Whole Roasted Chicken.
What is Green Beans Almondine?
This classic French recipe, also known as Green Beans “Amandine”, sounds very fancy but in reality, is very easy to make. These are simply sauteed beans served with toasted almonds and butter sauce.
How to make it
Put ⅓ cup sliced almonds in a skillet and toast them over medium/low heat for about 8-10 minutes or until the almonds are a light golden/brown color.
Add 2 tbsp butter, stir in, and let it cook for a couple of minutes until it’s light brown in color and has a nutty aroma.
Transfer the butter/almond mixture to a bowl and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice.
Add 1-pound French beans, ¼ cup water, and ¼ tsp salt to the same skillet, cover with the lid and cook for about 5-8 minutes or until almost tender. Don’t forget to stir occasionally, so the beans don’t get burnt.
Remove the lid and cook for a few more minutes or until the water evaporates.
Add the butter/almond mixture back to the pan and toss.
Transfer to a serving plate and serve.
Tips for best results
- I prefer to use French beans (haricot vert) in this recipe, because they are thinner and more tender. Also, they usually come pre-trimmed in a package, which reduces the prepping time.
- Make sure you toast the nuts and cook butter on low/medium heat, not to burn them. Always keep an eye on them and stir occasionally.
Options and Substitutions
- If you want more aroma, you can add some finely chopped shallots and minced garlic to this recipe. After you are done with almond/butter mixture, transfer it to a bowl. Add another tablespoon of butter to the pan, add shallots and cook for a few minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Then add beans and cook according to the instructions.
- If you want the beans zestier, you can add more lemon juice or lemon zest to the butter mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
I would NOT recommend to use frozen beans, as they will come out quite soggy.
If you have any leftovers left, you can put them in an air-tight container and refrigerate for a couple of days.
You can easily reheat them in microwave, or on the stovetop. Since they are already covered with butter sauce, you can just transfer them to a pan, cover with a lid and heat on low/medium heat for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Did you make this recipe?!? I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!
Green Bean Almondine
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup raw sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pound French green beans trimmed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Put ⅓ cup sliced almonds in a skillet and toast them over medium/low heat for about 8-10 minutes or until the almonds are a light golden/brown color.
- Add 2 tbsp butter, stir in, and let it cook for a couple of minutes until it’s light brown in color and has a nutty aroma.
- Transfer the butter/almond mixture to a bowl and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Add 1-pound French beans, ¼ cup water, and ¼ tsp salt to the same skillet, cover with the lid and cook for about 5-8 minutes or until almost tender. Don’t forget to stir occasionally, so the beans don’t get burnt.
- Remove the lid and cook for a few more minutes or until the water evaporates.
- Add the butter/almond mixture back to the pan and toss.
- Transfer to a serving plate and serve.
Notes
- I prefer to use French beans (haricot vert) in this recipe, because they are thinner and more tender. Also, they usually come pre-trimmed in a package, which reduces the prepping time.
- Make sure you toast the nuts and cook butter on low/medium heat, not to burn them. Always keep an eye on them and stir occasionally.
- If you want more aroma, you can add some finely chopped shallots and minced garlic to this recipe. After you are done with almond/butter mixture, transfer it to a bowl. Add another tablespoon of butter to the pan, add shallots and cook for a few minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Then add beans and cook according to the instructions.
- If you want the beans zestier, you can add more lemon juice or lemon zest to the butter mixture.
I absolutely agree with you – especially at the holidays, side dishes are always one of my favorite parts of the meal, too. These green beans are such a special side – and so easy and healthy! Terrific to have veg-loaded side dishes that don’t leave you feeling over-stuffed after a big meal – thank you!
This!! Yes!! Oh how I love toasted almonds and green beans, they are such a winning combination! This is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, thanks for sharing 🙂
What a delicious classic side that fits perfectly with so many things. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
When I was a child, my mom made Green Beans Amandine for holidays and Sunday dinners—I had completely forgotten about its awesome recipe until I noticed yours on Pinterest. Super glad I found it because it tastes awesome!!!!
I love the idea of adding lemon zest. I haven’t tried green beans with almonds yet, I can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
This green bean casserole looks so delicious! Love the addition of almonds and I know it will be a perfect side dish to make on Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to give it a try!!
I love this classic side dish. It’s great for holiday meals or any night of the week.
I haven’t made green beans amandine since culinary school and had forgotten how easy and delicious it was. This will definitely make an appearance on the holiday dinner table.
You can never go wrong with a classic side dish to go with almost everything that you’re making. I love green beans and I reckon this would be perfect for midweek dinners right through to when I throw dinner parties. Yum!
This is always an elegant and delicious side dish. The perfect side for the holiday table. Simple ingredients with gourmet results.