Nitrate & Nitrite Free 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 skillet and a handful of pantry staples. The real magic here is the brown butter — cooked low and slow until it turns golden and nutty, it transforms simple green beans into something genuinely craveable. Toasted sliced almonds add crunch, garlic brings a gentle savory depth, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end keeps everything bright and balanced. For anyone navigating a diet free from nitrates and nitrites, this recipe is a natural fit — every single ingredient is a whole, unprocessed food with nothing hidden in the label. No cured meats, no packaged sauces, no preservative-laden shortcuts. Just fresh green beans, real butter, garlic, and almonds doing exactly what they're supposed to do. The blanching step locks in that vivid green color and keeps the texture crisp-tender so the beans don't go limp in the pan. It's the kind of clean, honest cooking that makes eating well feel effortless rather than restrictive.
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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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