Green Beans Almondine Recipe and 3 Cooking Tips
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Apr 5, 2022 • 3 min read
Vibrant, glossy green beans almondine are the star of any holiday table, with a refreshing bite from fresh citrus and savory notes of lightly caramelized garlic and shallot.
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What Is Green Beans Almondine?
Green beans almondine (from the French term “amandine”) is a side dish that combines fresh green beans with lemon juice, garlic, and slivered or sliced almonds.
Green beans almondine is a lighter alternative to classic green bean casserole. It is especially popular during the holidays, as the recipe only contains a few basic ingredients, and you can easily scale it up to feed a crowd.
3 Tips for Making Green Beans Almondine
The appeal of green beans almondine lies in its can’t-go-wrong simplicity. Here’s what to know:
- 1. Look for French green beans. Slender haricot verts, also known as French green beans, are the traditional choice for green beans almondine. These beans get harvested younger than conventional green beans, so they are best eaten as soon as possible. (Monitor the clock when boiling since they will overcook if left on the fire for too long.) If you can’t find haricot verts, regular string beans or green beans will also work, though they may have a waxier texture and bite. Learn about the different types of green beans.
- 2. Blanch the beans for a crisp-tender bite. The key to green beans almondine is blanching, which involves briefly cooking the vegetables in boiling water before dunking them in an ice bath to preserve their vibrant color and perfect al dente texture. Learn more about blanching.
- 3. Prepare the green beans in advance. If you plan to serve these beans as part of a much larger holiday spread, blanch the beans the night before and store them in a sealed bag in the refrigerator. Add the green beans directly to the garlic and shallot mixture to warm them.
How to Store Green Beans Almondine
Keep green beans almondine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. To reheat, spread the beans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and warm them in a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven. Toast a fresh batch of almonds to restore the crunchy element of the dish.
Easy Green Beans Almondine Recipe
makes
prep time
10 mintotal time
20 mincook time
10 minIngredients
- 1
Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and cold water. Set it aside.
- 2
Line a sheet tray with paper towels.
- 3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- 4
Add the beans to the boiling water, and blanch until bright green and tender, 1–2 minutes.
- 5
Drain the beans well and immediately place them in the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- 6
Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to the prepared tray and blot them dry.
- 7
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil until just shimmering.
- 8
Add the garlic and shallots and season with salt and pepper.
- 9
Sauté until the garlic and shallots are aromatic and beginning to turn golden brown at the edges, 3–5 minutes.
- 10
Add the green beans, using tongs to combine gently.
- 11
Continue to cook until the beans are warmed through, another 2 minutes.
- 12
Remove the pan from the heat, and add the lemon juice.
- 13
Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste and transfer them to a serving platter.
- 14
Warm a medium skillet over medium heat.
- 15
Add the almonds and toast, shaking the pan or stirring often to prevent scorching, until the nuts are golden brown and aromatic.
- 16
Top the beans with the toasted almonds and serve.
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