This classic French recipe turns humble green beans into an easy and impressive side dish you can make all year round. Sautéed with shallots and garlic, tossed with buttery, toasted almonds, and finished with lemon, these green beans are quick enough to serve for a weeknight dinner while also being fancy enough for holiday meals and dinner parties. Read on for our top tips to make them perfectly every time.
What is almondine?
Almondine (or amandine) might sound fancy, but don’t be intimidated by its sophisticated name—it’s just the culinary term for an almond garnish. Dishes are usually cooked with butter and seasonings, then sprinkled with whole or flaked, toasted almonds.
Can I make this with regular green beans?
Yes! Although thinner, longer, and straighter haricots verts are traditionally used, you can substitute regular green beans if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Instead of blanching for 2 to 3 minutes in the first step, increase the blanching time to about 4 minutes, or until the green beans are tender but still crisp. Hot tip: Haricots verts will go limp in your crisper much faster than regular green beans, so plan accordingly if you're shopping ahead of time.
What should I serve this with?
This dish is best served fresh as the almonds may soften the longer they sit on top of the green beans. For a fast and satisfying meal, serve the green beans alongside cooked rice and any leftover proteins you might have on hand, like baked salmon or rotisserie chicken. For something more upscale, try them paired with prime rib, mushroom risotto, or garlicky lamb chops. These also make a great alternative to heavier holiday dishes (we’re looking at you, green bean casserole), so try them out this Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas too.
Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below.
