Green Beans Lemon Almonds (Print Version)
Tender green beans combined with fresh lemon and toasted almonds for a bright, simple side.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
→ Nuts
02 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds
→ Aromatics & Seasonings
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or olive oil for vegan option)
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - 1 lemon, zest and juice
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender and bright green. 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, until golden (about 2 minutes).
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet. Toss to coat with butter, almonds, and garlic.
05 - Add the lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes, stirring, until beans are heated through and well coated.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra toasted almonds if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The bright lemon cuts through rich main courses perfectly, making it the ultimate dinner party side dish
- Those golden almonds add a satisfying crunch that keeps people coming back for seconds
02 -
- Dont skip the ice bath step, it's what keeps those beans vibrant green instead of dull army green
- The lemon should be added at the very end, cooking it too long makes the flavor disappear completely
03 -
- Buy your green beans the same day you plan to cook them, they lose sweetness and crunch every day they sit in the fridge
- Use a microplane or zester for the lemon, you want those tiny aromatic flecks, not big bitter pieces of peel