Name: Crispy Lemon Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; Zest and juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice); 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or plant-based butter; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Crispy Lemon Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Almonds

Discover one of the best green bean recipes: tender-crisp green beans tossed in a bright lemon-garlic vinaigrette and finished with toasted almonds for crunch. Fast, flavorful, and perfect as a vibrant side.

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Prep Time 15 min

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Cook Time 30 min

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Total Time 45 min

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Servings 4

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Difficulty Easy

Instructions

1
Step 1: Blanch the green beans. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook 2–3 minutes until bright green and just tender-crisp. Drain and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain and pat dry.
2
Step 2: Toast the almonds. In a dry skillet over medium heat, add sliced almonds and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
3
Step 3: Sauté garlic. In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and cook until fragrant and just starting to color, about 30–45 seconds. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
4
Step 4: Pan-sear the beans. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter to the skillet. Increase heat to medium-high and add drained green beans. Sauté, tossing occasionally, until edges develop slight char and beans are heated through, about 4–6 minutes.
5
Step 5: Add seasoning and lemon. Reduce heat to medium, add lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss to coat and cook 30 seconds more to meld flavors.
6
Step 6: Finish and serve. Remove from heat, stir in toasted almonds and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.

💡 tips

For extra depth, add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the lemon juice before tossing. If using frozen green beans, thaw and pat dry thoroughly before sautéing to avoid excess moisture. Toast almonds evenly by stirring constantly and removing them from heat as soon as they brown.

🔄 substitutions

Replace sliced almonds with chopped walnuts or pecans; use avocado oil instead of olive oil for a higher smoke point; swap butter for a plant-based alternative to make the dish vegan; use lime instead of lemon for a different citrus note.