Low Sugar Classic Green Beans Almondine
Green beans almondine is one of those side dishes that feels fancy enough for a dinner party but comes together with nothing more than a handful of pantry staples and fresh produce. The magic here is the browned butter — cooked low and slow until it turns golden and nutty, it becomes the flavor backbone of the entire dish without a single gram of added sweetener in sight. Sliced almonds get toasted right in that butter, picking up a deep, rich color before garlic joins the pan for a fragrant, savory finish. A quick blanch keeps the beans brilliantly green and perfectly crisp-tender, so every bite has that satisfying snap. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end cuts through the richness and ties everything together beautifully. Every ingredient here is whole and clean — no sauces, no dressings, no hidden sugars to second-guess — just real food cooked with care.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tsp salt, plus more for the blanching water
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3–4 minutes. Drain through a colander and immediately spread on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to dry.
- 2
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides and the butter turns a light golden-brown and smells nutty, about 3–4 minutes.
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