These green beans with flaked almonds make the perfect side for any given dish. They are crunchy, tasty, tangy, and light. They are my first option for a heavy meal, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving dinners.
This gem of a side dish is an absolute favorite for Christmas dinner, right up there with our miso maple-glazed carrots.
When the holidays whirl around, it's crucial to have a side dish recipe that's both delicious and a breeze to prepare. Before you know it, you're down to the wire, needing just minutes to whip up this tasty green bean dish sprinkled with crispy toasted almonds.
Green beans are versatile and perfect for classic green beans, potatoes, sausage casserole, or a simple sauté. Keeping a bag of frozen green beans in your freezer is a smart move—they bring a pop of vibrant color to the plate and offer a fresh counterpoint to more indulgent dishes.
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💚 Why you will love it
- Tangy and crunchy
- Quick, easy preparation
- Vibrant, fresh ingredients
- Customizable texture
- Festive side dish
🧾 Ingredients
These flavorful green beans require only a couple of easy-to-find ingredients. You can put together this side dish in minutes for any dinner party.
- Fresh green beans: Provide a crisp texture and a punch of fiber, vitamins, and a fresh taste.
- Garlic powder: Offers a concentrated, aromatic flavor that enhances the dish without chopping.
- Spring onion: Adds a mild yet zesty crunch that brightens the overall dish.
- Lemon juice and zest: Contribute a tangy freshness and a zesty kick, perfect for cutting through the richness.
- Clementine: An optional sweet citrus twist that complements the green beans with a festive note.
- Flaked or slivered almonds: Bring a toasty crunch and nutty depth to the dish, boosting its visual appeal.
- Vegan butter or margarine: Lends a creamy richness that coats the beans for a velvety finish.
Sea salt or kosher salt and pepper to season.
Substitutions
| Original Ingredient | Suggested Substitution |
|---|---|
| Fresh green beans | Italian green beans (flat beans) |
| Garlic powder | Fresh minced garlic or onion powder |
| Spring onion | Chives or red onion |
| Lemon juice and zest | Lime juice and zest |
| Clementine | Orange or tangerine |
| Flaked or slivered almonds | Toasted pine nuts or pecans |
| Vegan butter or margarine | Olive oil or avocado oil |
🥢 Equipment
Skillet and steamer (optional).
🔪 Instructions
To make this recipe, you need to follow simple steps.
- Toast the flaked almonds in a large skillet on low heat. Carefully toast the almonds until golden brown, frequently stirring to prevent them from burning and preserve their great flavor. Reserve.
- Melt the vegan butter on medium-low heat(or use extra virgin olive oil). Add the sliced spring onion and garlic powder to the almond mixture in the same skillet.
- Add the citrus of your choice. Stir in the clementine and lemon juice.
- Steam the beans. Pick the fresh green beans and steam them using a steamer, or throw them in boiling water until they are crisp-tender.
- Assemble. Return the empty skillet to the stovetop on medium-high heat, add green beans, and cook over medium heat for a few minutes. We want to keep the bright green beans' color.
- Season and serve. Off the heat, add the reserved toasted almonds and the spring onions and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately with chopped parsley if desired.
If you overcook the beans, put them under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep their bright color.
💡 Expert tips
Toasting the almonds is crucial for unlocking their nutty flavor. Toast them on low heat and stir frequently to avoid burning. This enhances their taste and adds a delightful crunch to the dish.
This recipe calls for steaming the green beans to achieve a tender yet crisp texture. However, you might consider blanching green beans as an alternative method before adding them to the dish. This extra step can customize the texture to your liking without compromising its vibrant color and crispiness.
Use fresh green beans for the best results. They provide a crisp texture and a burst of flavor that frozen beans can't match. Plus, they hold up better during the cooking process, ensuring your dish is as beautiful as it is delicious.
The balance of flavors is key. The recipe suggests a harmony between tangy lemon, aromatic garlic, and the sweetness of clementines. Don't skip on these elements as they elevate the green beans from a simple side to a memorable part of your meal.
Lastly, remember that the cooking time of green beans can greatly affect their texture and color. To keep them bright and vibrant, cook until just tender but still crisp. If you accidentally overcook them, plunging them into cold water can stop the cooking process and help retain their color.
📖 Variations
Almonds—it doesn't matter which almonds you choose to use when it comes to flavor; it's a matter of texture. I prefer using either toasted almond flakes or toasted slivered almonds, but you can also use packed toasted almonds or even whole almonds, toast them, and cut them with a knife. The result will be less visually appealing, but your green bean recipe will be equally delicious.
Citrus - we like using some citrus to pair the toasted almonds flavor, lemons, clementines, and limes; they all work.
Toppings - for Christmas, we love adding some red peppers on top for a festive look, but you can skip them and even add some vegan parmesan cheese on top for an extra flavor kick on your green beans. Check our vegan parmesan recipe.
❓FAQ
Yes, they are! String bean plants produce pods that are full of fiber and delicious. The fibrous strings running along their length make them perfect for soups, stir-fries, curries, or other dishes where you want some texture to your meal!
🥡 Storing
In the fridge, you can store leftover green beans in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
📚 More easy side dishes
Try this pan-grilled asparagus or our Holiday vegan kale salad with maple balsamic dressing.
Elevate your spud game with our truffled mashed potatoes. Pure indulgence with every forkful!
Our baked stuffed onions with Porcini Mushrooms and Christmas Stuffing are a festive flavor fiesta. They're little bulbs of holiday joy!
Make your holiday table extra special with our vegan bread buns. They're not just buns; they're bundles of joy infused with aromatic rosemary!
You may also like these healthy green bean recipes; check out our collection!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
📋 Recipe
Easy Green Beans with Almonds
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 spring onion thinly sliced
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 clementine juiced
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter or margarine
- sea salt
- peppercorns
Optional:
- parsley to garnish
Directions
- Toast almonds. In a skillet on low heat, toast the almonds carefully to prevent them from burning. Reserve.
- Melt the vegan butter. In the same skillet over medium-low heat, melt the vegan butter (or margarine), add the sliced spring onion and garlic powder, and cook for a minute.
- Add juices. Stir in the clementine and lemon juices and 1 tablespoon water. About 2 minutes. Reserve.
- Steam green beans. Return the empty skillet to the stovetop, add the green beans, ½ cup water, and one teaspoon salt. Cover and cook over medium heat, occasionally stirring, until the beans are tender but have a crunchy bite, about 8 minutes.
- Season. Off the heat, add the reserved toasted almonds, the spring onions, and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve with chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
Jacqui
A fabulous side meal! I love serving these on festive dinner parties.
Michelle
I loooove green beans cooked almost any way, but these were particularly delish! Thanks for the recipe, I'll be saving it!