Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Green Beans Almondine
Fresh green beans, toasted almonds, browned butter, and a bright hit of lemon — this classic side dish is proof that simple, whole ingredients can be genuinely stunning. Every component here is exactly what it says it is: no dyes, no artificial additives, just real food cooked with care. That matters more than you might think, since pre-packaged vegetable sides and seasoning blends often sneak in unnecessary colorants that have no business being on your dinner plate. Blanching the beans first locks in that vivid natural green, so the color you see comes entirely from the vegetable itself — no enhancement needed. The browned butter step is where the magic happens, turning a humble fat into something nutty and deeply savory before the almonds go in and get golden and fragrant. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end cuts through the richness and lifts the whole dish. It's an elegant, crowd-pleasing side that comes together with nothing but clean, recognizable ingredients from start to finish.
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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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