Last Updated on October 18, 2023
Green beans with almonds make for a healthy side dish that you can enjoy year-round for family dinners or special holiday meals by incorporating seasonal ingredients.
With the addition of cranberries, it’s a great option for Thanksgiving. If you swap the cranberries with pomegranate seeds, this dish will be perfect for your Christmas feast.
I bet you will love this simple yet elegant green beans with the almond recipe.
A note before we dive in – be creative and feel free to swap sliced almonds with shelled pumpkin seeds in the recipe, or cranberries with pomegranate seeds – experiment with what tastes best to you and surprise your family and guests.
If you do not have fresh green beans from your garden – get organic packaged fresh green beans from your grocery store.
GREEN BEANS with ALMONDS RECIPE
| Servings | 4 |
| Prep Time | 15 min |
| Cook Time | 10 min |
Ingredients
- Pound of fresh green beans, trimmed
- Oz of sliced almonds
- Oz of dried cranberries
- Medium size onion bulb, sliced
- Teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Tablespoons of butter
- Teaspoon of salt
- Sprigs of thyme, leaves removed from stems
Step by Step Instructions
- Wash green beans and trim the ends.
- Add ¼ cup of water and green beans to a pot, cover with a lid, quickly bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook beans covered with the lid for 6 minutes.
Don’t be alarmed that the beans are not covered with water in the pot. Cooking them in a small amount of water with the lid tightly closed will steam green beans which will result in a crisp texture.
3. When time is up, all water should evaporate, but if you see any water left, then drain the beans. Stir 1 tablespoon of butter and 1/4 tsp of salt into the cooked green beans in the pot and give it a swirl to melt the butter.
At this point, your green beans are delicious on their own and can be served as a side dish. Look how pretty they are!
But we will enhance them with additional ingredients and make these green beans with almonds dish holiday-worthy.
So, let’s continue!
- Fry onions cut in half rings in 1 tablespoon of butter with thyme on high heat for 1 minute.
- Lower heat to medium-high , add 1 more tablespoon of butter and sliced almonds, and cook one minute more till almonds start to brown.
- Add smoked paprika and dried cranberries and continue cooking for 1 minute longer, stirring constantly.
- Add cooked green beans to the skillet. Stir well.
- Move onto a platter and serve.
Though this green beans side dish tastes the best fresh, it can be made a day ahead and reheated, or shall I say – refried on the skillet.
Congrats! You just mastered perfect green beans with almonds dish good for everyday or holiday cooking.
Interested in more fresh garden recipes?
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What is your favorite green beans recipe? Share in the comments.
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