Green Bean Salad with Almonds

This Green Bean Salad with Almonds is made with fresh green beans, toasted almonds, and a quick homemade honey mustard dressing.  Serve it warm or cold for an easy side dish!

Green Bean Salad with Almonds

Do you have a favorite vegetable?  A “go-to green”?  I’m honestly not sure that I could pick one veggie over all the others– but I will say that I have eaten pounds upon pounds (upon pounds upon pounds) of green beans over the years.  I’m an equal opportunity green bean lover– I love them slow-cooked, fresh, and even canned.  (I’ve even been known to eat an entire can of green beans as a snack!!!)

When it comes to cooking fresh green beans, however, I’ve always been a little torn.  There’s no question– they’re DELICIOUS.  But– most recipes tell you to blanch them in a large pot of boiling water, causing my inner lazy cook to moan and groan.

Recently, though, I discovered that there’s an easier way.  A faster way.  These green beans are quickly steamed in a large pan, making this green bean salad a FAST and EASY side dish.

Making Green Bean Salad without Blanching

To make this easy Green Bean Salad, start by trimming the pointed ends off your beans.  (This is easiest if you line a bunch up in a row, and trim them in groups.)  Next, heat a little oil in a large pan or wok, and sauté some diced garlic until it is fragrant.

Add a little water, let it come to a boil, and then add all the green beans.  Cover the pan, and let the beans steam for about 3 minutes.  Remove the lid, and let the beans cook a couple minutes longer.  If you prefer your beans to be extra crunchy, you can take them out of the pan right away.  If you’d rather your beans be a little more well-cooked (but still have a crunch), let them cook about 3 minutes.

While the beans steam and cook, toast the almonds in a nonstick pan over medium heat.   Then, whisk together the mustard vinaigrette.  Remove the beans from the pan, toss them with the dressing, and sprinkle the almonds over everything.

Serve your salad right away, or refrigerate it and serve it chilled.  As you serve this tasty bean salad, feel free to gush to all your friends about your undying love for this delicious green veggie.

Green Bean Salad with Almonds

Want more LOW CARB VEGGIE side dishes?  Try these:

• Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Charred Lemons
• Braised Kale with Apple Cider Vinegar
• Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple Cider Vinegar

Looking for a MAIN DISH to pair with this side?  Try these:

• Pesto Salmon
• Seared Ahi Tuna with Ginger Soy Sauce
• Grilled Swordfish with Basil Pesto

5 from 9 votes

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Green Bean Salad with Almonds

This Green Bean Salad with Almonds is made with fresh green beans, almonds, and a quick homemade honey mustard dressing.  Serve it warm or cold for an easy side dish!

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 6 people

Calories 164 kcal

Author Champagne Tastes

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh green beans
• 1 TB olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup almond slivers OR diced almonds

Honey Mustard Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/8 cup red wine OR sherry vinegar
• 1 TB yellow mustard
• 1 TB honey
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Trim the stems of the beans with a chef's knife.  Cut beans into 2" - 4" pieces, as desired, or leave whole if preferred. 

2. Heat olive oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat until the oil begins to shimmer.  Add garlic, and sauté about 1 minute, or until it is fragrant.

3. Standing back in case of splash-back, pour the water into the pan.  When water starts to boil, add the green beans, and cover the pan.  Allow beans to steam for about 3 minutes.

4. Uncover pan, and continue to cook beans for about 2 more minutes. Add salt and toss green beans.  Remove from heat.

5. Lightly toast the almonds in a nonstick pan for 2-3 minutes.  Use a plastic spatula to stir the almonds until they begin to brown and are fragrant.

6. Whisk together all the ingredients for the honey mustard dressing.

7. Add green beans to a serving dish, discarding any remaining liquid.  Pour dressing over the beans, add almonds, and toss to incorporate.  Serve warm, or refrigerate and serve cold.

Recipe Notes

Nutrition Facts

Green Bean Salad with Almonds

Amount Per Serving

Calories 164 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Sodium 1197mg 50%

Potassium 191mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 9g 3%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 5g

Protein 2g 4%

Vitamin A 10.4%

Vitamin C 11.6%

Calcium 4.2%

Iron 5.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.