Green Bean Almondine with Bacon
Green Bean Almondine with Bacon elevates fresh green beans with the addition of crunchy almonds and crispy bacon. A simple side dish that is both elegant and delicious!
We love our greens and this one doesn’t disappoint! Make my Roasted Asparagus with Prosciutto and Parmesan next!
Green Bean Almondine
Green Beans Almondine, spelled ‘amandine’ in French while normally spelled “almondine” in American lingo, is a classic French dish. The word “almondine” is just a culinary term for garnishing with almonds.
I’m a huge fan of adding greens to my Thanksgiving spread. While I love some Holiday Mashed Potatoes and some Quick and Easy Mac and Cheese on our table, I always try to incorporate a couple of “healthy’ish” dishes as well.
For some healthier ideas, try a classic Spinach Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing, some Maple Glazed Roasted Carrots, Fresh Green Bean Casserole, and this Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad.
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE – This green bean recipe uses simple ingredients that are easily found in your local grocery store. I recommend making it in the fall when green beans are plentiful.
- DELICIOUS SIDE DISH – The delicious green beans plus the crispy bacon and almond mixture are the perfect match. Ordinary green beans elevated!
- GREAT FOR PICKY EATERS – If you’re family isn’t fans of ordinary green beans, this vegetable side dish may be your answer! The buttery almond and bacon mixture is key.
Ingredients Used:
- Bacon – Thick-cut bacon is what I normally use. You can cook it in the oven (my favorite way), in the microwave, or on the stovetop. Salty bacon adds tons of flavor to this easy side dish.
- Green Beans – Use fresh regular green beans. If you have the option to hand-pick your beans at the store, I often find them to be better quality than the bagged version.
- Almonds – I used shaved almond slices for this recipe. You could also chop your own whole almonds.
- Butter – The butter adds key flavor to these green beans.
- Lemon – For some fresh flavor!
- Salt and Pepper – I always cook with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Blanching Vegetables
Blanching is the process in which food, usually a vegetable or fruit, is scalded in boiling water, removed after a brief amount of time, and then plunged into ice water or placed under cold running water to halt the cooking process. Blanching foods helps reduce quality loss over time.
In this recipe, fresh green beans are blanched to keep their crunchy texture and bright green color. The ice bath stops the cooking process which is key to a proper Green Bean Almondine recipe. The crisp-tender green beans are key in this simple recipe.
How to make Green Beans Almondine Recipe:
Step 1
Cook bacon. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prep a baking sheet with aluminum foil and add a wire rack. Then lay the bacon on the rack and cook until crispy. Set aside.
Step 2
Prep green beans. Trim the ends off the fresh green beans. Add to a pot and cover with water.
Step 3
Cook beans. Bring the water to a boil, add kosher salt, and let cook until beans are slightly softened, approximately 8 minutes. Remove to an ice bath to stall the cooking. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
Step 4
Toast almonds. Use a large skillet and heat to medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Then add the sliced almonds, stirring constantly. Remove when the almonds become fragrant and slightly golden brown.
Step 5
Combine ingredients. Add the cooked green beans to the skillet and heat them back up. Toss with remaining butter, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Then top with the crunchy toasted almonds and crumbled bacon. Stir and serve hot.
How to Prep Ahead:
- Ahead of time – Cook the bacon and blanch the beans. Store in the refrigerator.
- At mealtime – Toast the almonds, microwave the bacon just a bit to get crunchy, and toss all the ingredients in a pan with a little olive oil (if needed) to warm through.
Recipe Tips for The Best Green Beans Almondine:
- I recommend trimming off both ends of the fresh beans and removing any bruised sections.
- Don’t skip the blanching process to keep the texture and color of the beans.
- The fats from the butter and bacon are a nice addition to this dish so don’t skimp.
- Watch the almonds closely to avoid burning.
Main Dish Recipes to Serve with Green Bean Almondine:
You can make this for holiday meals or for any special occasions.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Green Bean Almondine with Bacon
Ingredients
- 6-8 slices thick-cut bacon – cooked and crumbled
- 2 pounds fresh green beans – with ends trimmed
- kosher salt
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup shaved almonds
- 1/2 large lemon plus zest – freshly squeezed
- freshly ground black pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Cook bacon. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prep a baking sheet with aluminum foil and add a wire rack. Then lay the bacon on the rack and cook until crispy. Set aside.6-8 slices thick-cut bacon
- Prep green beans. Trim the ends off the fresh green beans. Add to a pot and cover with water.
- Cook beans. Bring the water to a boil, add kosher salt, and let cook until beans are slightly softened, approximately 8 minutes. Remove to an ice bath to stall the cooking. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.2 pounds fresh green beans, kosher salt
- Toast almonds. Use a large skillet and heat to medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Then add the sliced almonds, stirring constantly. Remove when the almonds become fragrant and slightly golden brown.4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/3 cup shaved almonds
- Combine ingredients. Add the cooked green beans to the skillet and heat them back up. Toss with remaining butter, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper. Then top with the crunchy toasted almonds and crumbled bacon. Stir and serve hot.1/2 large lemon plus zest, freshly ground black pepper
Notes
- I recommend trimming off both ends of the fresh beans and remove any bruised sections.
- Don’t skip the blanching process to keep the texture and color of the beans.
- The fats from the butter and bacon are a nice addition to this dish so don’t skimp.
- Watch the almonds closely to avoid burning.
How to Prep Ahead:
- Ahead of time – Cook the bacon and blanch the beans. Store in the refrigerator.
- At meal time – Toast the almonds, microwave the bacon just a bit to get crunchy, and toss all the ingredients in a pan with a little olive oil (if needed) to warm through.
Green beans with bacon are a traditional holiday dish for my family and always a favorite. We usually add sautéed chopped onion but I think I’m going to skip the onions and add the almonds like this recipe suggests.
I hope you enjoy it, Lauri!
I love this dish! Thanks for linking the cast iron skillet as that is a game changer! Also, the bacon puts the recipe over the top.
For sure!