Sautéed French Green Beans Almondine

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Green beans almondine brings together a bright lemon and garlic sauce, sautéed green beans, and crunchy toasted almonds for a delicious, fresh side dish perfect for your holiday table or a simple weeknight dinner.

Sautéed green beans with almonds and a garlic lemon sauce on a white serving dish with silver serving utensils.

This green beans almondine recipe is one of my favorite ways to serve green beans. It’s ridiculously easy, but the lemony garlicky flavors with the toasty crunchy almonds are just *chefs’ kiss.*

These buttery sautéed green beans are easy, healthy(ish), and delicious, and come together in under 20 minutes. It’s a perfect side dish that is fancy enough for company, but simple enough to throw together when you need a weeknight veggie. It’s also one of my go-to side dishes at Thanksgiving and makes a light, bright addition to a special holiday meal (move over, green bean casserole!).

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About Green Beans Almondine

Green beans almondine is a classic French preparation that pairs tender green beans with crunchy toasted almonds tossed in a flavorful lemon garlic sauce. Its deliciousness comes from its simplicity, making this dish a great one to pair with almost any main dish.

The French green beans, or haricot verts, are a bit thinner and more tender than regular green beans, making them ideal for quick sautéing. Paired with sautéed shallots, garlic, and fresh lemon juice and zest, green beans almondine is a vibrant, fresh way to dress up a simple green bean side dish.

This recipe is my go-to green bean recipe because it’s all about simplicity with high-quality ingredients, each adding a pop of flavor:

French green beans (haricots verts) – Look for these slender, tender green beans, which cook quickly and stay firm to the bite. Freshness is key!
Unsalted butter – Butter brings out a creamy, slightly sweet note that complements the almonds.
Olive oil – A high-quality olive oil is key for this recipe.
Sliced almonds – Toasted almonds give a delightful nutty crunch.
Sliced shallots – Sautéed shallots add a hint of sweetness to this dish.
Minced garlic – Just a hint of fresh garlic gives this dish a deliciously aromatic kick.
Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest – Lemon juice and zest brighten up the flavors with a burst of citrus.
Salt and pepper – Simple but necessary seasonings.

Sautéed green beans with almonds and a garlic lemon sauce in a skillet

How to Make Green Beans Almondine

This is an overview of how to make sautéed French green beans almondine. See the recipe card below for detailed ingredients and instructions.

Prep the beans. To start, rinse the green beans under cold water, then trim the ends. (Pro tip: Line up a small handful, and cut off the ends with a single chop for a faster trim.)

Blanch the beans. Bring a large pot of salted water (~1 tablespoon kosher salt) to a boil and then blanch the green beans—place them in the boiling water for 3-4 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender-crisp.

Drain and ice bath. Immediately transfer the beans with a slotted spoon or a colander into a bowl of ice water. This ice bath helps to stop the cooking process, so the beans keep their vibrant green color and crunchy texture. No sad limp beans here!

Toast the almonds. While the beans are chillin’ in their ice bath, heat the butter and olive oil in a large sauté pan or large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced almonds and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the almonds are golden brown and fragrant. Watch closely, as nuts can go from golden to burnt quickly. Remove the almonds from the pan with a slotted spoon (leave the butter / olive oil in the pan) and set them aside on a plate.

Sauté the green beans. Drain the green beans from their ice bath and set them on a towel to dry. Then, in the same pan you used to toast the almonds, add the sliced shallots and cook for 2 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds longer, or until fragrant. Add the drained green beans to the pan and toss to coat them in the garlic butter. Cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the beans are heated through and tender.

Bring it all together. Off-heat, add the lemon juice to the pan, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss everything together until the green beans are evenly coated. Transfer to a serving dish, if you wish, sprinkle with the toasted almonds and lemon zest, and serve hot.

Tips + Tricks

Use Fresh Green Beans – Freshness is non-negotiable here. The more crisp the beans, the better the dish.
Don’t Skip the Blanching Step – Blanching ensures the beans retain their color and crisp texture. The ice bath keeps them from overcooking.
Watch the Almonds Closely – Toasting brings out their best flavor, but they can burn easily, so keep an eye on them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. Blanch the green beans and toast the almonds ahead of time. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat everything in the skillet with the garlic and butter.

What is the best type of green bean for this recipe?

French green beans, or haricot verts, are the best choice. They are slimmer, more tender, and cook quickly, which is perfect for this dish. If you can’t find haricot verts at the grocery store, string beans or regular green beans work too—just adjust the blanching time to ensure they’re cooked through but still crisp.

Can I use oil instead of butter?

Sure! Olive oil or avocado oil can be swapped in, though the flavor will be different. Butter gives a richness that’s hard to beat, but if you need a dairy-free option, a high-quality olive oil works well.

What if I don’t have almonds?

Walnuts, hazelnuts, or pine nuts make a nice alternative. Each offers a slightly different flavor profile but keeps the crunch that makes these green beans so delightful.

What main dish goes best with sautéed green beans?

This recipe is great for a holiday meal, with turkey, beef tenderloin, or baked ham, but I also love it with roasted chicken, baked chicken breasts, pork chops, steak, or fish, like salmon or halibut for a casual dinner.

What else pairs well with sautéed green beans?

You can easily serve these green beans with rice, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or a simple side salad for a well-rounded, healthy meal.

How to store sautéed green beans?

Place any leftover green beans in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. This will keep for 3-5 days. Simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop before enjoying it again!

Does this recipe freeze well?

I do not recommend freezing these sautéed green beans—the texture just won’t be the same.

Substitutions + Variations

If you don’t have sliced almonds, you can substitute chopped whole almonds or blanched almonds, or go a whole different route with walnuts, hazelnuts, or pine nuts instead.
If you don’t have a shallot, you can use a yellow onion or omit the shallot altogether.
No fresh garlic cloves? You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
For a spice kick, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
Need an umami boost? Sprinkle a grated Parmesan or pecorino on top.
For a richer sauce, brown the butter before adding the beans instead of using regular butter.
For more crunch, try garnishing with some crispy bacon bits.

Special Diets

If you have a special diet you're adhering to, here are some ways you can adjust this recipe.

Gluten free: These beans are naturally gluten-free!
Dairy free: Swap the butter for olive oil or avocado oil.
Whole30 / Paleo: Skip the butter and replace it with ghee, olive oil, or avocado oil.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Looking for more tried-and-true recipes to grace your holiday table? Look no further—these are my favorite Thanksgiving recipes to make every year:

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