Sautéed Green Beans with Lemon and Almonds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant vegetable side dish featuring crisp-tender green beans dressed in bright lemon and toasted almonds, perfect for spring menus. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (gluten-free) ready in about 18 minutes pairs trimmed green beans, olive oil, zested and juiced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 4.0 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 140 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz trimmed green beans and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 minced garlic clove and stir for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 1/4 tsp salt and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and immediately stir in the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with 2 tbsp sliced almonds for crunch.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Green Beans with Lemon and 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 trimmed green beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Green Beans with Lemon and 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 Green Beans with Lemon and Almonds for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Green Beans with Lemon and Almonds gluten-free?

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

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