Green beans with almonds is the perfect 20-minute side dish for weeknight dinners and holidays. Fresh green beans are tossed with sauteed garlic and slivered almonds in butter.
Recipe summary
Flavor: Fresh, garlicky, nutty.
It's easy. Ready in 20 minutes and made in a single pan with minimal ingredients.
Great for: Everything from a quick meal at home to an elegant holiday dinner. Serve for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
Serve with: Marmalade Glazed Ham or Pan-Seared Filet Mignon
Similar to: Green Beans and Onions
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Green beans - Fresh or frozen green beans work in this recipe. If you have canned green beans on hand, skip the step of simmering and continue with the recipe as written.
- Garlic - Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but can be substituted with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder if needed.
- Almonds - Slivered or sliced almonds work in this recipe.
- Butter - Salted or unsalted butter works, and can be substituted with olive oil to make this recipe vegan if desired.
- Seasoning - Salt and pepper enhance the flavor of the green beans. If you're substituting the garlic with garlic powder, add it along with the salt and pepper.
How to make green beans with almonds
- Add about ½ inch of water to a sauté pan and bring to a simmer. Add green beans, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, then drain and set aside. Return pan to the stovetop.
- Add almonds and cook until lightly browned and fragrant.
- Add butter and garlic to the pan, cooking for another 30 seconds.
- Add steamed green beans, salt, and pepper and toss to coat. Cook for a minute to warm the green beans, then remove from heat and serve.
Tips and tricks
Trimming green beans - Turn your green beans with the stems pointing in the same direction. Gather in a small bundle and trim off about ¼ inch of the stem ends. There's no need to trim the opposite 'curly' end unless there's discoloration.
Frozen beans - Using frozen green beans? No need to thaw them beforehand. They can go straight in the simmering water from frozen and thaw quickly.
Fresh vs canned beans - This recipe is best when prepared with fresh or frozen green beans. They have fresher flavor, brighter color, and firmer texture. If you'd like to make this recipe with canned beans, skip the step of simmering your beans and continue with the rest of the recipe as written.
Storage
Leftovers will keep for 3 to 4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and reheat well.
Cooked green beans can also be frozen for up to 3 months, but may have a slightly softer texture upon thawing.
Frequently asked questions
While fresh or frozen green beans have the best flavor, canned green beans can work in this recipe. Simply skip the step of simmering your beans and continue with the rest of the recipe as written.
Yes, walnuts or pecans make great substitutes.
Recommended
📖 Recipe
Green Beans with Almonds
Ingredients
- 16 oz green beans, ends trimmed
- ⅓ cup slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, bring water to a boil. Boil green beans for five minutes, then strain and set aside.
- In a sauté pan over medium heat, add slivered almonds. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until almonds are lightly browned and fragrant. Add butter to the pan and allow to melt. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Add green beans, salt, and pepper to the pan, stirring to combine. Cook for one minute to warm the green beans, then remove from heat and serve.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Can I use canned beans?: Yes. If using canned beans, skip the first step of boiling and continue with the rest of the recipe as written.
- Can I use frozen green beans?: Yes. Frozen green beans can be added straight to the pan, no need to thaw first.
- Storage: Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Vegan variation: Make this recipe vegan by substituting the butter with olive oil or vegan butter.
I had so much fun creating this recipe! I hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do. If you have a question, check out the post above, which is packed with information about the recipe. Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts — leave a comment and a star rating to share your feedback!