Print

Quick Healthy Green Bean and Almond Skillet

quick healthy green bean and almond skillet - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and healthy green bean and almond skillet that’s ready in 15 minutes, featuring perfectly charred green beans, toasty almonds, and bright lemon. This one-pan side dish is perfect for weeknights and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1/3 cup (45g) whole raw almonds, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • Flaky sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: Parmesan cheese, shaved, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: Wash and trim the stem ends off 1 pound of green beans. Pat them completely dry. Roughly chop 1/3 cup of raw almonds into varied sizes. Thinly slice 4 cloves of garlic. Zest and juice 1 lemon.
  2. Toast the almonds: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped almonds and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
  3. Cook the garlic: Return the skillet to medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the sliced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly golden.
  4. Sear the green beans: Add the dry green beans to the skillet in a single layer. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then toss and cook another 2-3 minutes without moving them. Repeat until beans are tender-crisp with blistered, charred spots, about 6-8 minutes total.
  5. Add the flavor: Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the beans and toss. Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over everything and toss again.
  6. Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the toasted almonds and lemon zest over the top. Add a generous pinch of flaky sea salt and another crack of black pepper. If using Parmesan, shave a few ribbons over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, ensure green beans are completely dry before cooking to achieve char marks. Do not crowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. The beans will continue cooking slightly from residual heat after removing from the stove, so pull them off when they are almost done. For a nut-free version, substitute almonds with sunflower seeds or pepitas. For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: green beans, almond, skillet, quick, healthy, side dish, vegetarian, gluten-free, 15-minute recipe

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/quick-healthy-green-bean-and-almond-skillet/