Green Beans Almondine with Brown Butter

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.

Nutrition