This easy side dish is perfect for your springtime menu or gatherings! It's made with earthy fresh green beans, fragrant garlic and onion, some zesty lemony brightness, nutty toasted almonds, and creamy feta cheese.
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Remember those seeds I started? Well, they've really taken off! So much so that I know for next year not to even bother starting green beans indoors. We usually buy bush bean starter plants later in the spring. But I had purchased green bean seeds late last summer. I grew one single plant indoors and it's pretty much ready to go in the ground. Unfortunately, here in Jersey, I need to wait another month to do that.
I kept joking that we'd be picking green beans indoors when this plant first started growing. But now that joke seems like it's going to become a reality. The plant's started flowering! I'm pretty okay with that though. Green beans are one of my favorite veggies in the garden. While I'm harvesting them to bring inside and prep for the freezer, you'll find me snacking on a few - or more than a few - too.
We usually end up with a good amount of beans throughout the growing season. My favorite ways to use them are in stir-fries and cooked with bacon and onion. But last year, I started making them with almonds and feta cheese on top with a little garlic and herbs. So delicious and I think it's just the perfect side dish for spring!
Green Beans with Almonds and Feta Cheese
With so many springtime celebrations coming up (Easter, Passover, Mother's Day, plus we have a ton of birthdays in our family), this dish is quick and easy to make for a crowd. Plus, it's full of fresh, vibrant ingredients that really embrace the flavors of spring. The green beans have a sweet, earthy flavor while the nutty almonds add crunch and the feta adds some tangy creaminess.
This recipe comes together in just a few quick steps. You can toast the almonds, if you'd like. To do this, we're going to add them to a skillet and toast them over medium heat.
You want to keep them moving in the pan to avoid burning them. The almonds will be golden brown and fragrant when done. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Next, we're going to add the olive oil to the same skillet heating over medium heat. Then, add the garlic and onion, cooking about 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and the onion has softened.
Add the green beans to the skillet and sauté about 5-7 minutes so the green beans are still slightly crisp, but tender.
Immediately add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine and heat everything about one minute more.
Remove the skillet from heat and plate the green bean mixture. Then, sprinkle the toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese on top. If desired, add a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves - or other fresh herbs - on top.
Green Beans with Almonds and Feta Cheese
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 cup crushed almonds
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup onion thinly sliced
- 12-16 oz. fresh green beans cleaned with ends trimmed
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add the almonds and heat over medium heat. Move the almonds continuously until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add olive oil to same skillet. Heat over medium heat and add garlic and onion, cooking 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and onion begins to soften.
- Add green beans to skillet and saute 5-7 minutes, or until green beans are slightly crisp, but tender.
- Immediately add lemon zest and lemon juice to pan and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine, cooking about one more minute.
- Remove from heat and plate green bean mixture. Top with toasted almonds and feta cheese. If desired, add a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves and serve.
Add this easy side dish to your springtime menu! It pairs well with grilled or roasted chicken, or a simple fish dinner. Or eat it on its own as a warm salad. The fresh, bright flavors of this dish are perfect for the spring season!
Did you make this Green Beans with Almonds and Feta Cheese recipe? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
