There’s something quietly elegant about a really good vegetable side dish — the kind that doesn’t try too hard but still steals a little attention on the plate. These French-Style Green Beans with Almonds (classic Haricots Verts Amandine) are exactly that. Crisp-tender green beans, buttery toasted almonds, soft shallots, and just enough lemon to brighten everything up.
This is the kind of recipe that works just as well for a holiday table as it does for a weeknight dinner when you want something is simple to whip up, but feels elevated. Minimal ingredients, quick cook time, and a timeless flavor combination that never goes out of style!
A simple, buttery French classic that lets fresh green beans shine. Crisp-tender haricots verts are tossed with golden toasted almonds, shallot + garlic, and a squeeze of lemon for a side dish that feels both timeless and weeknight-friendly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant but approachable — perfect for holidays or a weeknight dinner
- Comes together in less than 20 minutes
- Pairs beautifully with chicken, fish, steak, or a cozy roast
- Gluten-free, paleo, and easily modifiable to be Whole30 compatible
A Few Tips
- Don’t skip the ice bath — it keeps the beans vibrant and perfectly crisp
- Watch the almonds closely — they go from golden to burnt quickly!
- Swap butter for olive oil if you want a dairy-free version (still delicious)
Make It Your Own
- Add freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino for a slightly nutty, savory finish
- Toss in a few fried capers for a briny bite
- Finish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for freshness and color
Serving Suggestions
This dish is super versatile and pairs beautifully with:
- Roast chicken
- Herb-crusted salmon
- Steak, pork tenderloin or lamb
- Holiday mains like roast turkey or beef tenderloin
French-Style Green Beans With Almonds | Haricots Verts Amandine
Ingredients
- 1 lb haricots verts (french green beans), trimmed
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup almonds, thinly sliced
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- zest of ½ lemon, (optional, but a lovely addition to brighten up the dish!)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, to taste
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- flaky sea salt, (optional, for a nice finishing-touch)
Instructions
Blanch the green beans
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the haricots verts (green beans) and cook for ~2–3 minutes, until bright green and crisp-tender.
- Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain well and pat dry.
Toast the almonds
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt 1 Tbsp of the butter. Add the sliced almonds and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, ~2–3 minutes.
- Remove toasted almonds from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the shallot, garlic & green beans
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 Tbsp of butter. Add the sliced shallot and cook for ~2–3 minutes, until softened and golden brown.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the drained/dried haricots verts (green beans) and sauté for ~2–4 minutes until heated through.
Finish + serve
- Stir in the toasted almonds and lemon juice. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Finish with flaky sea salt and lemon zest (if using).
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and tag @the__modern__eclectic on Instagram — I love seeing your creations. Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think!
–MJ
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