Fresh and simple! Made with under 5 ingredients, there is nothing like these Green Beans with Almonds. They take under 15 minutes to make and are perfect for holiday meals or simple weeknight meals.
(Original post date Aug. 20, 2019. Links and post updated Jan. 4, 2022)
One of the best things to grow in your garden is simple green beans. From just a few plants you will get your money back and then some.
Green Beans are very versatile and can be used in many ways when it comes to cooking, they can be tossed in pasta, in pot pies, or even in holiday sides like Green Bean Casserole.
But! The best way to enjoy them is as fresh and natural as possible. There are a few tricks to cooking Green Beans to keep them fresh and crispy.
How to Cook Fresh Green Beans
- First, prep your green beans. The ends can stay on! However, if you find them too fibrous trim them off just about 1/8 inch will do.
- Second, cook your green beans. High quick heat is the key to keeping them crisp. Beans don’t take long to cook. If you are sautéing 2-5 minutes tops. If you are roasting, they should be the last thing you add to the pan or toss in the oven. They will only take about 3-4 minutes to roast. Steaming them should only take 2-3 minutes in hot boiling water.
- Third, are they done or over done? You know they are overdone when they start to lose their vibrant green color. If they start turning a grayish green that means they are overcooked. They are still edible but they have lost a lot of their nutrients and crunch.
Freezing Fresh Grown Green Beans
- If you are a growing green beans in your garden this year and you want to freeze them. Trim and prep the green beans the way you would like them, boil some water with a pinch of salt and blanch the beans.
- Blanch means to place into the boiling water for a few 1-2 minutes then remove the beans and place directly into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- One cooled in the ice bath, 1-2 minutes. Lay the green beans out and dry on a cookie sheet and freeze.
Freezing them laid out on a cooking sheet for 2-4 hours, before placing them into a freezer bag, will allow them be be frozen without sticking together.
- Once the green beans are completely frozen place them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
Now on to this fresh simple recipe your whole family will love. Earthly, nutty, and buttery Green Beans with Almonds are the perfect side dish for any green bean lover.
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FAQ and Tips
Common Questions that get asked about the recipe, and tips to save you time and money.
- Do I have to use almonds??
No, you can use any nut you would like, but, remember the flavor profile will change. - Can I use something other than butter?
Yes, you can use olive oil, avocado oil, or plant base butter. - Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, it freezes nicely. Keeps in the freezer for 4-6 months.
Recipe for Green Beans with Almonds
Almond Green Beans
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 2 lb fresh green beans ends trimmed
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2.5 oz sliced almonds
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- In a cast-iron skillet melt butter over medium-high heat.
- Place almonds in the melted butter and saute for 1 minute
- Toss in the beans and saute for 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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This is so simple! I love how the sliced almonds gave it a little crunch and a simple nutty flavor.