If you adore sides that bring brightness and a satisfying crunch to the table, you will absolutely fall in love with this Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe. It combines fresh green beans, toasted almonds, zesty lemon, and the subtle tang of Dijon mustard to create an unforgettable flavor harmony. Whether you’re aiming to jazz up weeknight dinners or impress guests, this dish shines with its effortless elegance and vibrant, fresh taste that feels both comforting and refined.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is key to nailing this dish. Each element plays a crucial role, from the crisp snap of fresh green beans to the nutty crunch of toasted almonds and the bright, sharp zip of lemon and mustard.
- Green beans: Fresh, trimmed, and full of natural sweetness and crunch.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the blanching water to enhance the beans’ flavor.
- Ice bath: A simple trick to stop cooking and preserve vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and a buttery base that carries the dish’s flavors beautifully.
- Dijon mustard: Provides a subtle tang and depth that complements the beans perfectly.
- Garlic clove: Adds savory warmth and aroma when sautéed.
- Lemon zest: Brings a bright, citrus fragrance and freshness that lifts the dish.
- Lemon juice: Adds sharp acidity to balance the richness of butter and nuts.
- Sliced almonds: Toasted to perfection, giving a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
How to Make Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Blanching Water
Start by bringing at least two quarts of water to a roaring boil with about two teaspoons of salt. It should taste like seawater, which prepares your green beans to be perfectly seasoned from the inside out.
Step 2: Trim and Cook the Green Beans
Wash and trim the green beans by snipping off the tough ends. Once your water is boiling vigorously, add the green beans and cover the pot. This steamy environment cooks them evenly and quickly to a crisp-tender state.
Step 3: Shock the Beans in Ice
If making ahead, boil the green beans for 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately transfer them to a large ice bath to halt the cooking process and lock in that brilliant green color. Dry them thoroughly before storing in the fridge to maintain texture and freshness.
Step 4: For Immediate Serving
If serving right away, boil the beans for 5 to 6 minutes until crisp tender and then briefly dunk them in the ice bath for about 30 seconds. Drain well and place in a serving dish, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Keep warm until adding the almond dressing.
Step 5: Toast the Almonds and Prepare the Sauce
While the green beans cook, melt the salted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to brown slightly if you want a richer, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the almonds. Add minced garlic and stir gently.
Step 6: Add Dijon, Almonds, and Lemon
Stir in the Dijon mustard and then toss in the sliced almonds, stirring for about a minute until fragrant and toasted. Finish this luscious sauce with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, then turn off the heat and sprinkle in the lemon zest for an aromatic burst.
Step 7: Combine and Serve
If your green beans have cooled, return them to the pan and toss gently to warm them in the almondine sauce. Otherwise, drizzle the butter and almond mixture over the beans on a platter and give everything a light toss. The Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe is now ready to delight your taste buds!
How to Serve Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra toasted almonds or a few fresh lemon slices adds a lovely visual and textural contrast. You can also add finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives to introduce a green freshness that complements the lemon perfectly.
Side Dishes
This green bean almondine pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or tender steaks. It also shines next to creamy mashed potatoes or a fluffy rice pilaf, providing contrast with its bright flavors and crunchy textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the beans in a rustic wooden bowl for a cozy family dinner or arrange them neatly on a white platter for a more elegant, festive look. For a fun twist, sprinkle some crispy shallots or a dusting of Parmesan cheese for added flavor layers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to two days without losing their fresh, crisp texture.
Freezing
While green beans can be frozen, the almondine sauce with butter and fresh lemon doesn’t freeze as well. For best results, freeze the green beans separately after blanching and thaw before reheating with freshly prepared almondine sauce.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent overcooking and preserve the beans’ vibrant color and crunch. Add a little fresh lemon juice or a knob of butter to refresh the flavors before serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen green beans for this recipe?
Frozen green beans can work in a pinch, but fresh beans offer the best texture and color. If using frozen, thaw and drain them thoroughly before cooking to avoid excess water in the dish.
How do I get the almonds perfectly toasted?
Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2 to 3 minutes until they are golden and fragrant. Watch closely to avoid burning as almonds toast quickly.
Is Dijon mustard necessary, or can I use another mustard?
Dijon mustard provides a balanced, sharp tang with a smooth texture essential for this dish’s signature flavor. If you need a substitute, a mild yellow mustard works but will alter the taste slightly.
Can this Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe be made vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the salted butter for a plant-based margarine or olive oil, and the dish remains delicious with just as much flavor and richness.
What’s the best way to zest a lemon?
Use a microplane or fine grater to zest only the yellow outer peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. Freshly zested lemon adds vibrant aroma and lifts the whole dish.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe is one of those simple yet show-stopping side dishes that can transform any meal. Its fresh, tangy bite combined with the buttery nuts is an unbeatable combination you’ll want to make again and again. Give it a try and enjoy the delightful crunch and bright flavors that make green beans truly exciting!
Print
Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Lemon Dijon Green Beans Almondine is a fresh and vibrant side dish featuring crisp-tender green beans blanched to perfection and tossed in a rich, nutty Dijon butter sauce with sliced almonds and bright lemon flavors. This quick and elegant recipe combines the mellow bitterness of green beans with the tang of lemon and the crunch of toasted almonds, making it an ideal accompaniment for any meal.
Ingredients
Green Beans
- 1 pound green beans, fresh and trimmed
- Water and salt, for blanching (about 2 teaspoons salt in 2 quarts water)
- Ice bath, for shocking green beans
Sauce and Garnish
- 1/4 cup salted butter (half stick)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (or more to taste)
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Prepare boiling water: Heat a large pot with at least 2 quarts of water over high heat until boiling. Add 2 teaspoons salt, tasting to ensure water is as salty as seawater.
- Trim green beans: Wash and trim the green beans by cutting off the stem ends.
- Blanch green beans: Once water is at a rolling boil, add green beans and cover with a lid.
- If making ahead: Boil green beans for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice water to create an ice bath. Drain beans and immediately transfer them to the ice bath to stop cooking. Once cooled, drain and pat dry with paper towels. Store wrapped in dry paper towels inside a container or ziplock in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- If serving immediately: Boil covered for 5 to 6 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and shock in an ice bath for about 30 seconds. Drain again and place beans on a serving dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper and keep warm.
- Heat saucepan: While beans cook, heat a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Melt butter: Add butter to the pan and melt. Optionally continue cooking to brown the butter slightly for a nutty flavor.
- Prepare lemon: Zest the lemon and juice half the lemon, setting both aside for later use.
- Add flavorings: Stir in Dijon mustard and minced garlic into the melted butter. Add the sliced almonds and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute to toast them slightly.
- Add lemon juice: Pour in the lemon juice and stir to combine. Then turn off the heat and sprinkle the lemon zest on top.
- Toss beans with sauce: If the beans have cooled, add them to the pan and toss in the warm lemon Dijon butter mixture to reheat and coat evenly. Alternatively, drizzle the sauce over warm beans on a serving platter and toss before serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the green beans ahead of time by blanching and shocking in ice water, then reheating in the butter sauce before serving.
- For more lemon flavor, adjust the lemon juice amount to your taste preference.
- Browned butter adds a richer, nuttier depth to the sauce, but you can skip this step for a milder taste.
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats, grilled fish, or as a bright vegetarian side.
