This easy and delicious 20-minute Garlic Green Beans with Almond Gremolata recipe is the veggie side dish you’ve been looking for! Perfect for weeknights and holiday tables alike.

Tender, yet crisp green beans sautéed in garlic butter and topped with a crunchy and cheesy almond gremolata? There’s nothing better!

A fresh and healthy green beans recipe that will turn even the most serious vegetable skeptic.

Garlic Green Beans and Almond Gremolata

While I love a classic green bean casserole, I am a HUGE fan of garlic green beans. Add on this crunchy almond gremolata and this dish is such a winner.

While Thanksgiving may be all about the mashed potatoes, rolls, mac and cheese, and other decadent sides, I love having a fresh side to pair to add some contrast.

And if you think you don’t like green beans, try this recipe and think again! Like me, you probably grew up eating frozen or worse–canned–green beans! The mushy texture is just so bad.

These garlic green beans are fresh and bright and will totally change how you feel about green beans. The nice crunchy contrast of the almonds with the salty parmesan is just heavenly!

Looking for more turkey day inspiration? Check out my collection of Thanksgiving recipes.

What is Gremolata?

This is one of my favorite ways to elevate a dish! A simple gremolata–usually made with parsley, garlic, and lemon zest–can totally take any roast chicken or pork tenderloin to the next level.

In this version, we’re adding some toasted almonds for crunch and some parmesan cheese, because cheese, and it’s all at once crunchy, bright, fresh, and the perfect touch of salty.

You’re going to want to put this almond gremolata on everything!

How to Make Garlic Green Beans with Almond Gremolata

This recipe is so quick and easy to throw together! You can blanch the green beans ahead of time and saute everything up right before serving.

Tools Needed

• 12 inch Skillet
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Mixing Bowl

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Fresh green beans. You can use classic green beans, but I really love French haricot verts for this. They’re so elegant!
• Garlic. Fresh garlic is best, but you could use jarred minced garlic if needed.
• Butter. You could use olive oil, but the butter adds such a great flavor.
• Almonds. Chopped toasted almonds are the way to go.
• Lemon zest and juice. The lemon adds a nice fresh zippy flavor.
• Parmesan. The parmesan cheese really takes these garlic green beans to the next level!
• Parsley. Freshly chopped parsley completes the gremolata.

The Process

1. Blanch the green beans. Bring a pot of salted water to a simmer and season liberally with salt. Trim and rinse the green beans, then place them in the simmering water for 1 minute. Drain the green beans into a colander.
2. Saute the green beans. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is hot and foamy, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Add the green beans and season with salt and pepper. Saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but with a slight bite. Toss the green beans with lemon juice and transfer to a serving plate and reserve the garlic butter from the skillet.
3. Make the gremolata. In a small mixing bowl, combine the almonds, parmesan, parsley, and lemon zest with the garlic butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper and spoon over the green beans. Top the green beans with more parmesan and serve warm.

Make Ahead Instructions

Garlic green beans with almond gremolata can easily be prepped ahead of time and finished right before dinner.

Start by blanching the green beans and then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain them and pat them dry and store in a ziplock bag with a dry paper towel inside.

To make the gremolata ahead of time, mix all the ingredients except the garlic butter. Then, when you plan to serve just saute up the green beans and do the final mix of the gremolata.

What to Serve with Garlic Green Beans

While garlic green beans with almond gremolata would make an amazing Thanksgiving side dish, it’s also perfect for pairing with any weeknight dinner.

Here are some of my favorite main dishes to pair with garlic green beans!

• Herb Roasted Chicken
• Roasted Chicken Piccata
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin
• Steak au Poivre
• Mom’s Classic Pot Roast
• Red Wine Braised Beef
• Cacio e Pepe Risotto

Storage & Reheating Instructions

I recommend storing garlic green beans separate from the gremolata.

Store the green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave in increments until warmed through. Store the gremolata in a separate container for up to 3 days.

Let the gremolata come to room temperature before serving over the re-warmed green beans.

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Garlic Green Beans with Almond Gremolata deserve a spot at your Thanksgiving table! They’re fresh, light, and the perfect contrast to all the other decadent side dishes. If you do give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!

More Side Dish Recipes to Try

Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Homemade Green Bean Casserole
Tomato Orzo
Skillet Cornbread
Parmesan Creamed Corn

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