Green Beans Almondine Recipe - Cooking Classy

The BEST Green Beans Almondine – it is a French side dish recipe made with fresh green beans that are skillet steamed and finished with sliced toasted almonds. Here we’ve customized it a few upgrades including smoky bacon, bright lemon and flavorful parmesan to elevate it to a sensational side dish.

Fresh Green Beans Almondine

Traditional Green Bean Almondine is good but we like to go beyond simply good and upgrade that to exceptional around here.

In this vegetable side dish you get a delicious fusion of flavors and textures with tender crisp green beans, lively garlic, salty bacon, crunchy almonds, sharp parmesan, and tart lemon.

It turns an ordinary vegetable into something with crowd-pleasing flavor that will be the talk of the meal.

People may very well be saying “I never knew green beans could be so delicious!”

And you’ll be happy with the fact that it really is quite easy to make. Try this at your next holiday get together or for a fancy Sunday supper.

Green Beans Almondine Recipe Ingredients

• Bacon: I use regular cut, hickory smoked bacon.
• Almonds: Sliced almonds are my favorite here but in a pinch slivered almonds will work too.
• Green beans: Look for smaller green beans for best flavor, not those that are overgrown and plump with a washed out flavor.
• Water
• Olive oil: Only a little is needed, canola oil or butter will work in its place.
• Garlic: I recommend fresh garlic over bottled or dried.
• Salt and black pepper
• Lemon juice: Fresh lemon will offer the brightest flavor.
• Parmesan cheese: To grate Parmigiano Reggiano I place chunks in a food processor and pulse until it’s finely ground for about 1 minute.

How to Make Green Bean Almondine

1. Cook bacon: Add bacon to a skillet and heat over medium heat. Cook, while separating pieces, until they are just starting to brown on edges, about 5 minutes.
2. Toast almonds: Add almonds and cook and toss occasionally until golden brown and bacon has browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl along with any bacon drippings in the pan.
3. Par-Steam green beans: Return pan to stove. Add water and bring to a simmer.
4. Add green beans then cover and cook until green beans are nearly tender, about 6 to 9 minutes. Drain water.
5. Saute with seasonings: Add olive oil and garlic, season with salt and pepper to taste and saute 1 to 2 minutes. Toss in lemon juice and remove from heat.
6. Plate green beans and garnish: Using tongs layer half the green beans in a row over a serving platter. Top with half the parmesan cheese then half the bacon and almond mixture.
7. Repeat layering with green beans, parmesan and almond mixture. Serve warm.

Platting Suggestion

• I recommend using an oval or rectangular serving platter for the best presentation.
• The length of the platter used here is 13-inches.
• You can find something similar at places like Home Goods, Crate and Barrel or Amazon.

Can I make green beans almondine ahead of time?

• Yes it can be made ahead of time, but I recommend storing the green beans and topping separately so they can be garnished upon serving for the best presentation.
• Just under-cook the green beans slightly if you plan on reheating them.

How to Reheat

• You can reheat the green beans in a 350 degree oven in a baking dish, covered with foil, until warmed through. About 15 minutes or so.
• Or rewarm in a lightly oiled skillet set over medium heat, tossing occasionally until warmed.
• Serve with warmed the almonds and bacon (which can be rewarmed quickly in the microwave).

What to Pair with It

Here are delicious things to pair with it:

More Green Bean Recipes to Try