Sautéed Garlic & Almond Green Beans
Crisp-tender green beans tossed with toasted slivered almonds and fragrant golden garlic. A quick, elegant side dish that comes together in under 15 minutes with just a handful of pantry ingredients.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~3 min
Toast the slivered almonds.
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toast, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small plate and set aside.
TIPWatch the almonds closely — they go from golden to burnt in seconds. - saute · ~1 min
Sauté the garlic.
Return the skillet to medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the edges just begin to turn golden, about 1 minute.
TIPDon't let the garlic brown too much — bitter garlic will overpower the dish. - saute · ~6 min
Cook the green beans.
Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet. Toss well to coat with the garlic oil. Sauté, stirring every minute or so, until the beans are bright green and crisp-tender — about 5 to 6 minutes.
TIPIf the pan looks dry, add a tablespoon of water to create a quick steam. - saute · ~1 min
Season and toss with almonds.
Season the beans with a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Toss in the toasted almonds and cook for 30 seconds just to warm them through.
- serve
Finish with lemon juice and serve.
Remove from heat. Drizzle the lemon juice over the top, give one final toss, and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve immediately.
TIPThe lemon brightens everything — don't skip it.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Trim the green bean ends only; leave them dry to avoid spluttering in the hot oil.
- 2Toast almonds in a dry skillet and stir constantly—they burn in seconds.
- 3Slice garlic thinly for even, quick browning without scorching.
- 4Add a splash of water if the pan looks dry; it creates steam for crisp-tender beans.
- 5Don't overcook the beans—they should be bright green with a slight snap.
- 6Warm the almonds through for just 30 seconds to keep them crunchy.
- 7Add lemon juice off the heat to preserve its fresh, bright flavour.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
Reduce olive oil to 1 teaspoon and use a non-stick pan; add water as needed to steam the beans, cutting down on fat without losing tenderness.
high proteinHigh-protein
Swap almonds for toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts, and stir in 100g of cooked edamame for an extra protein boost.
jainJain
Replace garlic with asafoetida (hing) and skip the garlic; use ghee instead of olive oil to keep it Jain-friendly.
veganVegan
This recipe is already vegan—confirm by using a plant-based oil like avocado oil instead of olive oil if desired.
spicySpicy
Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a gentle heat that complements the nutty almonds.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Dietary Fibre
Green beans provide a good amount of fibre, which supports digestion and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Good Source of Vitamin K
Green beans are naturally high in vitamin K, important for bone health and normal blood clotting.
Healthy Fats from Almonds
Slivered almonds supply unsaturated fats and vitamin E, which support heart health and skin integrity.
Low Calorie, High Volume
With minimal oil and no heavy sauces, this dish delivers a generous portion of vegetables for relatively few calories.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but thaw and pat them dry first to avoid excess water. Reduce sauté time by 1–2 minutes since frozen beans are often pre-blanched.
