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Easy Healthy Green Bean Almondine – Best 15-Minute Side Dish

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This easy healthy green bean almondine brings back bistro magic but is simple enough for a Tuesday night. Ready in 15 minutes, it’s a quick, affordable, and kid-approved side dish that gets everyone excited about vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prep the green beans: Wash the beans under cold water. Snap or trim off the stem ends. Pat the beans dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil: Fill your large pot with about 2 quarts of water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Cover and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
  3. Blanch the green beans: Carefully drop the green beans into the boiling water. Set a timer for 3 minutes. While the beans cook, fill your colander with cold water and add a handful of ice cubes.
  4. Shock the beans in an ice bath: After exactly 3 minutes, drain the beans in the colander, then immediately plunge them into the ice water. Let them sit for 2 minutes, then drain well and pat dry with a clean towel.
  5. Toast the almonds: Place your large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely. Once it’s foamy, add the slivered almonds. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the almonds are golden brown and smell nutty.
  6. Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pan with the almonds. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Add the green beans: Toss the blanched and dried green beans into the skillet. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir everything together. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through.
  8. Finish with lemon: Remove the pan from the heat. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the beans and sprinkle the lemon zest on top. Toss one last time to combine. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  9. Serve immediately: Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with a few extra toasted almonds on top if desired. Serve hot or warm.

Notes

Don’t overcook the beans; 3 minutes is the sweet spot for tender-crisp perfection. Dry the beans thoroughly after blanching to prevent butter splatter. Toast almonds low and slow to avoid burning. Use a hot pan so the beans sizzle on contact. Season in layers for depth of flavor. Multitask by setting up ice bath and measuring ingredients while beans blanch.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean almondine, easy green bean recipe, healthy side dish, 15-minute side dish, French side dish, quick vegetable side

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-healthy-green-bean-almondine-best-15-minute-side-dish/