Sautéed Garlic Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Almonds

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bright green beans quickly sautéed with garlic and finished with lemon juice and crunchy toasted almonds for a fresh side dish. This international-inspired vegetarian ready in about 20 minutes pairs fresh green beans, trimmed, olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 International cuisine 140 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb trimmed fresh green beans and blanch for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking; drain again and pat dry.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1/4 cup sliced almonds and toast, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Transfer almonds to a small bowl and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add the blanched green beans, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until beans are heated through and slightly blistered.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the beans and toss gently to combine before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Garlic Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Almonds?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh green beans, trimmed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Almonds?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Garlic Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Almonds for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Sautéed Garlic Lemon Green Beans with Toasted Almonds vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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