Green Beans with Lemon Almonds (Printable)
Fresh green beans paired with lemon and toasted almonds for a bright, flavorful side.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
→ Nuts
02 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds
→ Flavorings
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for vegan option)
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How to Prepare:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
02 - While the beans cook, toast the sliced almonds in a large, dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, melt the butter (or heat the olive oil) over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet, tossing to coat in the butter and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
05 - Remove from heat. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The bright lemon cuts through rich main dishes like a breath of fresh air
- Toasted almonds add such satisfying crunch that even vegetable skeptics reach for seconds
02 -
- The ice bath step isn't optional. It locks in that vibrant green color and stops the cooking cold
- Everything moves fast once the garlic hits the pan, so have your beans drained and ready
03 -
- Buy beans loose instead of bagged so you can select ones that snap when bent
- Trim the ends in a batch by lining them up and cutting several at once