Green Beans Almondine with brown butter is a flavorful twist on a traditional French side dish that is sure to elevate any holiday meal!

We’ve taken a classic green beans almondine recipe, an easy side dish, and given it a rich and decadent twist, adding toasted almonds and flavorful brown butter. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy green beans during the holidays (or any time!) and offers a breath of fresh air from heavier, traditional green bean casserole recipes.

Brown butter green beans with toasted almonds on a serving platter.

The cooking process is quick, the flavors are on point, and this simple recipe makes the perfect side dish for any meal, from a traditional roasted turkey to a crown rack of lamb to tender ribeye steak.

This classic French side dish doesn’t have to be just another menu item on your holiday dinner menu, either. It is just as well-suited for a Tuesday night dinner of chicken or pasta as it is for a dinner party and elevated, special occasion meals!

Why This Green Beans Recipe Works

Green Beans Almondine is a delicious side dish and a vibrant addition of bright green to the dinner table. This is a fast and easy recipe that brings out so much flavor in green beans.

The toasted, crunchy almonds and the splash of fresh lemon juice are just the right combination of flavors for the tender green beans. And we haven’t even started on the brown butter yet.

Nutty, toasted and flavorful, brown butter is a wonderful way to infuse maximum deliciousness into this simple green beans recipe!

Here’s why you’ll love it:

It’s a great side dish for any occasion when you need an easy recipe sure to wow!
You can make this green bean recipe to serve alongside any main course, from chicken to pork tenderloin to beef.
This recipe features simple ingredients and a quick process that you’ll greatly appreciate, especially if you’re looking to save time while preparing a holiday feast!
This side dish is naturally gluten-free and low in carbs, making it a great recipe that everyone can enjoy.

Toasted almonds and brown butter on top of freshly cooked green beans.

Ingredients Green Bean Almondine

Here’s a look at what you will need to make our Green Beans Almondine with Brown Butter.

When it comes to special equipment, the only recommendation we have is to use a light-colored skillet. This will help you keep an eye on the butter as it browns. You can more easily watch it turn colors than if you were to use a darker frying pan.

Sliced almonds. This makes that deliciously toasted almond garnish!
Unsalted butter. Cut it into pieces to help it melt and cook more evenly.
Lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice gives green beans almondine a subtle tangy, bright flavor.
Fresh green beans, trimmed. You can use any type of green beans from French green beans to regular green string beans.
Cold water or chicken broth. This adds moisture to the green beans and help them steam and tenderize. Water will work just fine but chicken broth will add a little more flavor.
Salt. For flavor! You’ll add it to the pan with the green beans and water to lightly salt the green beans as they cook.

Recipe Highlights: How to Make Green Beans Almondine

Here’s a look at the process for making this tasty side dish of green beans!

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the printable recipe card with all of the details and ingredient amounts.

The first step is to toast the almonds and brown the butter. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add the sliced almonds and stir frequently until they’re golden.

Browning butter with sliced almonds in a pan.

Add the butter. Continue stirring until the butter turns golden brown and fragrant with a nutty aroma. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the lemon juice.

Cooking fresh green beans in a large skillet.

In the same skillet, add the green beans, water, and salt. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes. The green beans should be tender but still somewhat crisp.

Spooning almonds and brown butter over a plate of string beans.

Remove the lid and bump up the heat to medium-high. Cook until all the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the green beans to a platter and toss with the almonds and brown butter. Or, you can spoon the almonds on top of the green beans and drizzle the brown butter over the green beans.

Recipe Variations: Bean Recipes with Flair

Welcome to our cozy corner where green beans take center stage! Whether you want to spruce up weeknight dinners or to find that show-stopping side for a special feast, these green bean recipes are all delicious twists on our original almondine recipe. Any one of these recipes would be fantastic with bacon 😉

Shallot & Herb Green Beans

Before browning the butter, sauté thinly sliced shallots until soft and golden. Add the butter and continue heating until it is browned.
Along with the nuts and lemon juice, stir in a mixture of fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, and a bit of rosemary. Toss everything with the green beans and serve while hot.

Garlic & Mushroom Green Beans

Begin by sautéing minced garlic and sliced mushrooms until the mushrooms are browned and tender.
Finish the recipe by tossing the green beans with the garlic, mushrooms, toasted almonds, and brown butter. Serve the beans almondine with a drizzle of balsamic glaze for added depth.

Citrus Bean Almondine

After browning the butter, add the zest of an orange and a dash of orange juice to brighten the flavor.
Serve the green beans tossed with this citrusy almond and brown butter sauce, garnishing with additional citrus zest.

Green beans with toasted almonds and brown butter on a dinner plate.

Pro Tips for the Best Almondine Recipe

This easy recipe cooks the green beans until they’re tender but still crisp. If you prefer your green beans cooked softer, add about 2 minutes to the total cooking time.
When making brown butter, be sure to keep an eye on it. The butter can quickly go from golden to burnt (another reason why a light-colored skillet helps).
This recipe is also delicious with a sprinkle of freshly-grated Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can replace the almonds with hazelnuts or walnuts.
You can store leftover green beans almondine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile side dish goes with a number of different types of meals and other sides. Here are a few ideas for inspiration!

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light-colored, heavy-bottomed skillet

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Green beans with almonds and brown butter on a serving plate with lemon slices.

Green Beans Almondine with Brown Butter

Elevate your side dish game with this Green Bean Almondine dressed in Brown Butter. It's a classic with a rich twist—fresh green beans are cooked to perfection and then tossed with golden, toasted almonds and flavorful brown butter.

A splash of lemon juice adds just the right zing. It's not just a side dish; it's a conversation starter that pairs well with almost any main course. It's a green bean dish that's bound to become a staple in your kitchen.

Before You Begin:
Go for a light-colored skillet so you can keep an eye on that butter as it browns.

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Save

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 22

Servings: servings

Calories: 158kcal

Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

½ cup sliced almonds
6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pieces
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 pounds green beans trimmed
½ cup water or chicken broth
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Toast the Almonds and Brown the Butter:

In a large skillet, toast the sliced almonds over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until they're golden. This should take around 6 minutes.
Add the butter and continue stirring until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the lemon juice. Set aside.

Cook the Green Beans:

Add the green beans, water (or broth), and salt to the skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat until the green beans are tender yet still crisp, roughly 8 to 10 minutes.
Uncover and increase the heat to medium-high, cooking until all the liquid has evaporated, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer the green beans to a serving platter and toss with the almonds and brown butter. Optionally, spoon the almonds on top of the beans and drizzle with the brown butter.

Notes

If you prefer your beans cooked softer, add about 2 minutes to the cooking time.
Keep an eye on the butter as it browns; it can go from golden to burnt quite quickly.
This dish is also delicious with a sprinkle of freshly-grated Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
If you're feeling adventurous, replace the almonds with hazelnuts or walnuts.

Recipe adapted from Cooks Illustrated.