Green Bean Almondine with Bacon
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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, and this Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
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 stove-top.
- Green Beans – Use fresh 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 almonds for this recipe. You could also chop your own.
- 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
Blanching is the process in which a 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.
How to make Green Bean Almondine with Bacon:
Step 1
Cook bacon. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prep a baking sheet with tin 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 towel.
Step 4
Toast almonds. Use the same pot and heat to medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Then add the sliced almonds, stirring constantly. Remove when the almonds just start to brown and become fragrant.
Step 5
Combine ingredients. Add the beans back to the pot and heat them back up. Toss with remaining butter, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper. Then top with the browned 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 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.
Recipe Tips:
- 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.
Mains to serve with Green Bean Almondine
You can make this for a holiday meal or just any occasion under the sun.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Green Bean Almondine with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh green beans – with ends trimmed
- 6-8 slices thick-cut bacon – cooked and crumbled
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup shaved almonds
- 1/2 large lemon plus zest – freshly squeezed
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prep a baking sheet with tin foil and add a wire rack. Then lay the bacon on the rack and cook until crispy. Set aside.
- Trim the ends off the fresh green beans. Add to a pot and cover with water.
- 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 towel.
- Use the same pot and heat to medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Then add the sliced almonds, stirring constantly. Remove when the almonds just start to brown and become fragrant.
- Add the beans back to the pot and heat them back up. Toss with remaining butter, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper. Then top with the browned almonds and crumbled bacon. Stir and serve.
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.
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!