Prepared using a popular French technique, this five-ingredient side pairs perfectly with a Thanksgiving turkey, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and the many other items at your holiday feast.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Effortless - This recipe is so easy to prepare that it will become your new favorite side during the holidays and every other day. Elegant - Presentation-wise, this is a beautiful side dish to have at any celebration. Refreshing - This recipe makes a nice change from the traditional green bean casserole. No oven needed - During the holidays, being able to make something that doesn’t require the oven is a big perk!
Ingredient notes
Green beans - French green beans, known as Haricots Verts, are best for this green bean almondine recipe. They’re sweeter and milder than regular green beans, which complements the flavors of the other ingredients in this recipe. If you can’t find these, pick slightly longer, thinner green beans, as these tend to have a crisper texture and sweeter taste. Butter - I like to use Kerrygold Irish Butter for most of my cooking. It is more expensive than regular butter, but due to the higher fat content, a little goes a long way, and the depth of flavor it adds to this recipe is well worth the extra few pennies. Seasoning - If I’m using salted butter, I add only black pepper to my beans. But a dash of salt is necessary if the butter is unsalted. Lemon - The juice of 1 medium-sized lemon and ½ a teaspoon of zest tastes delicious on green beans almondine. Almonds - I use sliced almonds with the skin on. This adds to the green beans’ flavor, texture, and presentation.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Substitutions & variations
Shallots - finely chopped and sauteed shallots add a slightly sharp and sweet taste to the beans. These aren’t part of a traditional almondine recipe but make for a nice change occasionally. Garlic - Minced and sauteed garlic is always a welcome addition to any vegetable. Parmesan - Some fresh Parmesan shaved on top of the plated haricots verts gives them a nice Italian flair. Herbs - Fresh chopped herbs such as chives, dill, parsley, or basil can be used as a garnish to add to the flavor and presentation. Make it vegan - Use a vegan-friendly substitute for butter, like olive, coconut, or avocado oil.
Step-by-step instructions
I like to blanche my green beans first to help preserve their color and par-cook them. This can be done up to 3 days before the beans are actually finished and served. Boil 8 cups of water with two teaspoons of salt and cook the beans in this for 2-3 minutes. Have a bowl filled with ice water next to the stove, and remove the beans and place them in this water after the time is up. This stops the cooking process and helps the green beans retain their color. Remove them after 1-2 minutes and place them on a dry, clean towel till you’re ready to finish cooking them.
Step 1 - Dry roast the almonds in a non-stick pan on medium-high heat. They should be well-toasted but not burnt. You can usually gauge when they’re done by the fragrance and color while toasting them.
Expert Tips
For more Pakistani recipes like this, check out 20 popular Pakistani recipes. If you decide to try this recipe, Please don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture then tag me on Instagram! Thank You!
