Easy Green Beans Almondine with Herbed Ghee

Please share!

These easy Green Beans Almondine are crisp-tender, buttery, and topped with sliced almonds for the perfect amount of crunch. Herbed ghee, thyme, and garlic give this classic side dish even more flavor—all in about 15 minutes!

Naturally gluten-free, low carb, and vegetarian, this simple green bean recipe is elegant enough for a holiday dinner but easy enough to make on a busy weeknight.

What Is Green Beans Almondine?

Green Beans Almondine, also called Green Beans Amandine, is a classic French-inspired side dish made with green beans, butter, and sliced or slivered almonds. Traditional versions often include lemon juice or shallots, but this recipe uses a flavorful herbed ghee mixture for a simple, savory twist.

The almonds add a delicious crunch, while the ghee, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper create a rich coating for the fresh green beans.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in approximately 15 minutes
• Naturally gluten-free and low carb
• Made in one skillet
• Crisp-tender rather than mushy
• Perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners
• Easy to make with ghee or butter
• Can be made dairy-free and vegan with a simple substitution

Green Beans Almondine Ingredients

For the Green Beans

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• Avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

For the Herbed Ghee

• 2 tablespoons ghee, or substitute butter
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ? teaspoon black pepper

How to Make Green Beans Almondine

1. Prepare the herbed ghee by combining the ghee, dried thyme, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
2. Wash the fresh green beans and trim off the ends. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and generously spray it with avocado oil or olive oil.
4. Add the green beans to the skillet and stir to coat them with the oil. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add ¼ cup of water and ¼ teaspoon of sea salt. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat slightly.
6. Allow the green beans to simmer for approximately 6 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender and the water has evaporated.
7. Remove the lid and stir in the sliced almonds and prepared herbed ghee.
8. Cook uncovered over medium heat for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately.

How to Tell When Green Beans Are Done

The green beans should be bright green and tender enough to pierce with a fork, but they should still have a slight bite. Avoid cooking them until they become overly soft or lose their vibrant color.

If the beans are not tender after six minutes, add another tablespoon of water, cover the skillet, and cook for one to two additional minutes.

Ingredient Substitutions

Can I Use Butter Instead of Ghee?

Yes! Replace the ghee with an equal amount of salted or unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, consider reducing the added sea salt slightly.

Dairy-Free or Vegan Option

Although ghee contains very little lactose, it is still derived from dairy. For a completely dairy-free and vegan version, replace the ghee with a dairy-free plant-based butter or two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.

Fresh Garlic

You can replace the garlic powder with one small minced garlic clove. Add the fresh garlic during the final two minutes of cooking so it doesn’t burn.

Slivered Almonds

Sliced and slivered almonds both work well in this recipe. Slivered almonds are thicker and provide an even crunchier texture.

Optional Additions

Customize your green beans almondine with any of these additions:

• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Fresh lemon zest
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Finely diced shallots
• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh parsley
• Crumbled bacon
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt

Tips for the Best Green Beans Almondine

• Use fresh green beans: Fresh beans provide the best crisp-tender texture.
• Dry the beans thoroughly: Excess water can prevent the green beans from lightly sautéing.
• Don’t overcook them: The green beans should remain bright green with a slight crunch.
• Watch the almonds carefully: Sliced almonds can burn quickly, especially in a hot skillet.
• Serve immediately: This dish has the best texture when served warm, directly from the skillet.

Can I Use Frozen Green Beans?

Fresh green beans work best, but frozen green beans can be used when necessary. Do not thaw them first. Add the frozen beans directly to the skillet and adjust the cooking time as needed.

You may not need the entire ¼ cup of water because frozen green beans release moisture as they cook. The finished texture may also be slightly softer than it would be with fresh green beans.

Can I Make Green Beans Almondine Ahead of Time?

You can trim the green beans and prepare the herbed ghee up to two days in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

For the best flavor and texture, cook the green beans and almonds shortly before serving. If you need to prepare the full dish ahead of time, slightly undercook the green beans and reheat them briefly in a skillet before serving.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover green beans almondine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings, but the green beans and almonds will be softer.

I do not recommend freezing this dish because the green beans can become watery and the almonds may lose their crunch.

What to Serve with Green Beans Almondine

This easy green bean side dish pairs well with:

• Roasted chicken
• Grilled steak
• Baked salmon
• Pork chops
• Turkey or ham
• Pot roast
• Meatloaf
• Holiday dinners

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Green Beans Almondine gluten-free?

Yes. All the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free. As always, check individual ingredient labels if you are highly sensitive to gluten or concerned about cross-contamination.

Are Green Beans Almondine low carb?

Yes. Green beans and almonds are both relatively low in carbohydrates, making this a delicious low-carb vegetable side dish.

Are Green Beans Almondine keto-friendly?

This recipe can fit into many keto and low-carb eating plans when enjoyed in an appropriate portion.

What is the difference between almondine and amandine?

“Amandine” is the traditional French culinary term for a dish prepared or garnished with almonds. “Almondine” is the commonly used English variation. Both names refer to the same style of dish.

Do I need to blanch the green beans first?

No. The green beans cook directly in the skillet. Adding water and covering the pan allows them to steam until tender without requiring a separate pot.