Garlic Green Beans with Almond Gremolata is the quick and easy vegetable side dish you’ve been looking for! Crisp-tender green beans are sautéed in garlic butter and topped with a crunchy, cheesy almond gremolata. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for weeknights and holiday tables alike.

“Perfect recipe for an elevated green bean dish! It came together so easily, absolute chefs kiss. Personally not an almond fan so I subbed with hazelnuts.” – Kaiya, So Much Food Reader

Unfamiliar with Gremolata? Here’s Why You’ll Love It

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

Never heard of gremolata? It’s my favorite way to elevate a dish! This fresh Italian condiment is usually made with parsley, garlic, and lemon zest, but in this version we’re adding some toasted almonds and grated Parmesan cheese. My almond gremolata is all at once crunchy, bright, fresh, and the perfect touch of salty.

If you think you don’t like green beans, try this simple recipe and think again. The crunchy contrast of the almonds with the salty parmesan is just heavenly!

The 7 Main Ingredients You’ll Need

• 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 butter makes for a richer tasting side dish.
• Almonds. Chopped toasted almonds are the way to go.
• Lemon zest and juice. You’ll be using both the juice and zest for a bright, balanced lemony flavor.
• Parmesan. The parmesan cheese really takes these garlic green beans to the next level! Buy a block and grate it yourself, or purchase a high-quality pre-grated cheese.
• Parsley. Freshly chopped parsley completes the gremolata for these green beans.

Useful Kitchen Tools I Recommend

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

How to Make Green Beans with Almond Gremolata

1. Blanch the green beans. Submerging the fresh green beans briefly in salted boiling water helps season them from the inside out, and it preserves their vibrant color even after sautéing.
2. Sauté the green beans. Have everything prepped and ready to go before melting the butter, because this recipe comes together quickly from this point! As soon as the butter has melted and starts to turn foamy, add the minced garlic and cook it for just a minute before adding the drained green beans.

3. Finish with lemon juice and gremolata. The garlic butter that the green beans were sautéed in doubles as the base for the almond gremolata. Mix it together with the toasted almonds, Parm, chopped parsley, and lemon zest before spooning over the crisp-tender green beans.

Jenny’s Tip: To toast the almonds, add them to a dry skillet over medium-hight heat and cook for about 10 minutes. Be sure to stir them frequently and remove them from the heat once they’re beautifully fragrant and lightly golden brown.

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.
• Then, when you plan to serve just sauté the green beans and do the final mix of the gremolata.
• Jenny’s Tip: To make the gremolata ahead of time, mix all the ingredients together except the garlic butter. It will last up to 3 days if stored airtight in the fridge.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

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.

What to Serve with Green Beans Gremolata

These simple green beans would make an amazing Thanksgiving side dish, but they’re equally easy enough to pair with any weeknight dinner!

• Buttered Cheesecloth Turkey or Juicy Roast Turkey Breast
• Steak au Poivre
• Bourbon Glazed Ham
• Mom’s Classic Pot Roast
• Red Wine Braised Beef
• Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder