Christmas dinner · adapted traditional recipe
Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Almonds
Green beans roasted hot and fast with garlic, lemon zest and toasted almonds. A bright side dish that is ready in 20 minutes and uses the oven after the ham comes out.
An adaptation of a traditional recipe, written in our own words. Ovens vary, so go by the doneness signs as well as the times.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Total
- 33 min
- Makes
- 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbgreen beans, trimmed
- 3 tbspolive oil
- 4 clovesgarlic, minced
- 1 tspkosher salt
- ½ tspblack pepper
- ⅓ cupsliced almonds
- 1lemon, zest only
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 425°F with a large rimmed baking sheet inside, so the beans start sizzling the moment they touch the metal.
- 2
Dry the beans well. Toss them in a big bowl with the oil, salt and pepper until every bean is shiny.
- 3
Carefully tip them onto the hot sheet in one layer, using two sheets if needed: crowded beans steam instead of roast.
- 4
Roast 12 minutes. Scatter over the garlic and almonds, toss and roast 5 to 6 minutes more, until the beans are blistered in spots and the almonds are golden.
- 5
Grate the lemon zest over the top, toss and serve warm.
How to know it is done
Tender with brown, blistered spots; almonds golden, garlic fragrant but not dark.
Make ahead
Trim the beans and mince the garlic up to 2 days ahead and keep them in the fridge in separate containers. Roast on the day: they do not hold well once cooked.
Storing and freezing
Leftovers keep 3 days in the fridge; reheat in a hot oven or skillet rather than the microwave to keep some bite.
Tips
- Add the garlic late: it burns in 425°F heat long before the beans are done.
- Frozen beans work, but roast them straight from frozen on the hot pan for a few minutes longer.
Allergens
- Tree nuts (almonds). Leave them out or use toasted pumpkin seeds for a nut-free dish
Always check the labels of the products you buy.
Questions
Can I prep green beans ahead for Christmas dinner?
Yes: trim them and mince the garlic up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate them dry. Roast on the day itself for the best color and bite.
How do I keep roasted green beans from going soggy?
Dry them completely, use a hot pan and a single layer. Crowding is the usual cause of soft, steamed beans.
How much green beans per person?
About ¼ lb (a generous handful) per person. This recipe uses 2 lb for 8 guests.