These Green Beans with 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 scrumptious green bean dish sprinkled with crispy toasted almonds.
Green beans are versatile, perfect for a classic green bean 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.
And let's not forget the almonds! Stocking your pantry with raw, flaked, or slivered almonds is a surefire way to introduce that delightful crunch to any meal at a moment's notice.
Jump to:
🧾 Ingredients
These flavorful green beans require only a couple of easy-to-find ingredients. You can put together this side dish in just a couple of 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 the need for 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 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.
See quantities and complete instructions in the recipe card.
🔪 Instructions
To make this Almond Green recipe, you need to follow simple steps.
Step 1. Toast the flaked almonds in a large skillet. In a skillet on low heat, toast the almonds carefully until golden brown, frequently stirring to prevent them from burning to keep their great flavor. Reserve.
Step 2. 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.
Step 3. Steam the beans. Pick the fresh green beans and steam them using a steamer, or you can throw them in boiling water until they are crisp-tender.
Step 4. Assemble. Return the empty skillet to the stovetop on medium-high heat, add green beans, and cook over medium heat for a couple of minutes. We want to keep the bright green beans' color.
Step 5. 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.
Tip: if you overdo the green beans cooking for a couple of minutes, put them under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep their bright 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 use a knife to cut them. 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.
🥡 Storing
In the fridge, you can store leftover green beans in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
❓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!
📚 More easy side dishes
Try this Grilled Asparagus with Toasted Almonds and Pine Nuts or our Holiday Vegan Kale Salad with maple tahini dressing.
Our Suggested Vegan Christmas Menu and our Italian Christmas Food posts.
Elevate your spud game with our Truffled Mashed Potatoes. They're creamy, dreamy, and have that luxurious truffle touch: Truffled Mashed Potatoes. Pure indulgence with every forkful!
Layer upon layer of veggie goodness awaits in our Vegan Vegetable Casserole. It's comfort food with a healthy spin: A casserole that'll steal the spotlight!
Our Onions Stuffed 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 Bread Rolls: Christmas Rosemary 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 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
Green Beans with Flaked Toasted 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.
Jacqui says
A fabulous side meal! I love serving these on festive dinner parties.
Michelle says
I loooove green beans cooked almost any way, but these were particularly delish! Thanks for the recipe, I'll be saving it!
Katie says
Love these green beans! They're perfectly flavor and the almonds add the perfect healthy crunch!
Gina says
This is my kind of side dish. I love how easy it was to make. Being a big fan of almonds, I was so happy to see them added here. It was delicious! Definitely going to be a go-to side dish from now on!
Jess says
I had never had almonds with my green beans until recently and I don't know where it has been my whole life! So good.
Kate says
Colorful, delicious with the perfect crunch. I can't wait to make this again!
Sara Welch says
Adding this dish to my holiday dinner menu! Easy, delicious and pairs beautifully with just about anything!
nancy says
this is a wonderful side dish that I'd be making again for the holidays!
Gus says
that's great! Really makes me happy! 🙂
Katherine says
These beans are so perfect for Thanksgiving! Thanks so much.
Gus says
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for your review and happy to hear you're enjoying the beans! We hope they bring a little bit of our plant-based world into your Thanksgiving celebration.
Toni says
I love the combination of flavors! Such an amazing side dish!
Gus says
We are glad you enjoyed all those yummy flavors!
Maria San Juan says
Amazing recipe! Will surely try this! thanks for sharing!
Dannii says
Green beans is one of my favourite side dishes and I love the crunch that flaked almonds add.
Gus says
Oh yea! flaked crunchy almonds make all the difference!
Mindee Taylor says
I love almonds! Had never thought of having them with green beans though. Turned to be such a great flavor combo!
Gus says
Hi Mindee, thanks for sharing your experience with our product! We're so glad you enjoyed it.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
My family love green beans so I can't wait to make this for them. Perfect with the crunch of the almonds!
Alice says
Green beans and toasted almond flakes are like two of my favourite things but never thought to put them together. Such a gem of a recipe, thanks!
Dannii says
This is my favourite way to have green beans. The almonds make it really special.
Gus says
Yes, we love the crunchiness that toasted almond flakes add to the dish!
Beth says
We love this side dish and it’s so easy too! So delicious and went perfectly with our dinner the other night! Everyone absolutely loved it and the crunch of the almonds is so yummy! Making this again!
Gus says
Beth, I am thrilled you enjoy the recipe. Being such an easy yummy dish, the requires very little time, I am sure, you will be making it again soon!
Denay DeGuzman says
My family loves this Thanksgiving side dish! It's colorful, flavorful and easy to make. It's a must-have for every cook's recipe arsenal.