I bought some green beans to have with barbecue chicken and had originally decided to just saute them up with a little balsamic vinegar. Easy peasy. But then I got to thinking… I figured that I should really try a new recipe, so I did a quick search for sauteed balsamic green beans and almost every recipe listed in the search results have added sugar or honey, lots of butter, and some even have you cooking down the balsamic vinegar to make a sauce or balsamic reduction.
Green beans don’t really need all that do they? Does cooking need to be that complicated? No. I wanted something simpler and lighter. While I grew up dousing my canned green beans in butter — everyone my age did — today I can’t even imagine masking the fresh flavors of my vegetables in butter (or adding all that fat to my plate). And I definitely don’t want to have to worry about making a balsamic reduction while also making Cauliflower Mash and timing it all to be ready at the same time as our barbecue chicken.
So I went back to my original plan with one addition. I found a rogue bag of sliced almonds in the pantry, so my balsamic green beans became these Sauteed Almond And Garlic Balsamic Green Beans.
Making Almond Garlic Balsamic Green Beans
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned it a hundred times, but I love things are easy but look impressive and taste amazing — like these Almond Garlic Balsamic Green Beans. If you’re looking for a quick side dish to accompany chicken, steak, pork, or even a fish main course, you’ve got to try these green beans!
I cut off the ends and threw them in a large skillet with a little olive oil and garlic, sauteing them over medium heat for about three minutes. I then added the sliced almonds and balsamic vinegar, sauteing them for another two or three minutes.
Our Roasted Garlic Barbecue Chicken and Cauliflower Mash were both done right around the same time, so we then plated everything up and enjoyed a fabulous dinner!
Sauteed Almond And Garlic Balsamic Green Beans
With crunchy, toasted almond slices and balsamic vinegar, these green beans are the perfect side dish for almost any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. sliced almonds
- 1 lb. green beans
- 3-4 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the green beans. Add them to a large skillet with the garlic and a little olive oil. Saute over medium heat for about three minutes.
- Add sliced almonds and balsamic vinegar. Saute for another two or three minutes, stirring periodically. Serve immediately.
