Easy Vegan Green Beans with Toasted Almonds and Garlic Olives: A Healthy Thanksgiving Side
Looking for an easy, healthy, and flavorful vegan side dish that will impress without overwhelming your holiday table? Learn how to make these vibrant Green Beans with Toasted Almonds and Olives! This recipe offers a delightful twist on a classic, making it perfect for Thanksgiving or any weeknight meal.
Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner? It often feels like the holiday season sneaks up on us, and suddenly, we’re planning elaborate meals. By now, you’ve probably got most of your Thanksgiving Dinner For Two menu, or even a larger feast, well underway. Many families stick to beloved traditions year after year, serving the same cherished turkey, signature side dishes, and decadent desserts.
For those of us who love to explore new flavors and add an adventurous touch to our cooking, but hesitate to completely disrupt cherished holiday traditions, I have a fantastic solution. Instead of reinventing the wheel, how about elevating an already favorite side dish with just a few extra ingredients? That’s exactly what we’re doing with this recipe.
Everyone knows and loves the classic green beans with almonds. It’s a staple for a reason – simple, elegant, and delicious. But I’ve taken this beloved dish and made it even more special, transforming it into a vibrant and flavorful Green Beans with Almonds and Olives. And not just any olives – we’re talking about savory, garlic-stuffed olives! Because, as any garlic lover knows, you can never forget the garlic!
Why This Green Bean Recipe Stands Out
While many opt for a rich green bean casserole without canned soup for their Thanksgiving spread, this particular green bean recipe offers a lighter, fresher, and healthier alternative. It’s crafted with only five key ingredients, plus a minimal amount of added fat, allowing the natural flavors of the produce to shine. This recipe is also naturally vegan-friendly, making it an excellent choice for diverse dietary needs at your holiday table.
I’ve also intentionally scaled this recipe down to yield four servings. This “small batch” approach is ideal for Thanksgiving, where a multitude of dishes are competing for space and attention. It ensures you have enough to enjoy without an overwhelming amount of leftovers, especially when paired with a Thanksgiving Dinner For Two. But don’t let the holiday focus limit you – these sautéed green beans make a deliciously healthy and satisfying side dish any time of the year. Its vibrant color and fresh taste are welcome at any dinner table.
Mastering the Perfect Green Bean Texture: Parboiling and Sautéing
The secret to perfectly cooked, vibrant green beans lies in a two-step cooking process: parboiling followed by sautéing. Parboiling means to partially boil the green beans in salted water for a short period, then immediately transferring them to an ice bath. This technique is crucial for several reasons:
- Speeds Up Cooking: It kick-starts the cooking process, ensuring the beans are tender in the middle before their exterior has a chance to overcook or burn during sautéing.
- Retains Vibrant Color: The quick dip in boiling water followed by an immediate chill in an ice bath halts the cooking process and sets the chlorophyll, locking in that beautiful, bright green color. This prevents them from turning dull or grayish.
- Achieves Tender-Crisp Texture: It allows you to achieve that highly sought-after tender-crisp texture – soft enough to be enjoyable, but still with a satisfying snap.
After the ice bath, it’s essential to thoroughly dry the green beans. Excess water will prevent proper sautéing and browning. Once dried, they are ready for their grand finale in a hot skillet with a touch of olive oil, where they develop delicious caramelized notes.
The Flavor Powerhouse: Toasted Almonds and Garlic Olives
Toasted Almonds: A Nutty Enhancement
For this recipe, I sauté the sliced almonds directly with the green beans. This simple step infuses them with a wonderfully toasted flavor that I personally find far superior to raw almonds. Plus, it’s a brilliant time-saver – no need to toast them separately in the oven or another pan. The gentle heat of the skillet brings out their nutty aroma and adds a delightful crunch to the dish.
Garlic Stuffed Olives: The Secret Ingredient
To truly punch up the flavor, I incorporate generous slices of garlic-stuffed olives. As an Italian, I can attest that you can never have enough garlic! These olives don’t just add a much-needed garlicky kick; they also contribute a fantastic “meatiness” and distinct brininess that beautifully complements the fresh green beans and nutty almonds. In a vegan dish, this briny, umami depth is incredibly valuable, adding complexity and a satisfying savory element.
The addition of these specialized olives elevates the typical green beans with almonds into something far more substantial and intriguing. While garlic-stuffed olives are my top recommendation, feel free to experiment with other varieties. Feta-stuffed olives would also pair wonderfully, adding a creamy, tangy dimension. And of course, you can never go wrong with the classic, traditional pimento-stuffed olives for a milder, slightly sweeter contrast.
Choosing Your Ingredients Wisely
Fresh Green Beans
When selecting green beans, look for vibrant, firm pods that snap easily when bent. Avoid any that are limp, bruised, or discolored. Haricots verts, or French green beans, are a great option if you can find them, as they are typically thinner and more tender. Trim the stem ends, but there’s no need to trim the wispy tail ends unless you prefer to.
Sliced Almonds
Sliced almonds are perfect for this recipe because their flat surface allows for even toasting and a delicate crunch. If you only have whole almonds, you can roughly chop them, but the texture will be a bit different.
Garlic Stuffed Olives
Good quality olives make a big difference. Choose garlic-stuffed olives packed in brine, as this brine adds to their flavorful punch. If you can’t find garlic-stuffed, you can use regular pitted green olives and add an extra clove or two of minced fresh garlic to the sauté pan with the beans.
Lemon Zest
Don’t skip the lemon zest! It’s a small addition that makes a huge impact. Lemon zest provides a bright, fresh, and slightly acidic note that cuts through the richness of the olive oil and balances the savory flavors of the olives and the earthiness of the beans. It truly lifts the entire dish.
Serving Suggestions and Customizations
While an absolute star on your Thanksgiving table, these Green Beans with Almonds and Olives are versatile enough for any occasion. Serve them alongside:
- Roasted chicken or turkey (if not strictly vegan)
- Baked salmon or other flaky fish
- A simple pasta dish for a light vegetarian meal
- Vegan lentil loaf or mushroom Wellington for another plant-based main
- Grilled steaks or pork chops for a hearty dinner
Feeling adventurous? Consider these variations:
- Herbaceous Twist: Add a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary when sautéing.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice warmth.
- Tangy Finish: A very light drizzle of balsamic glaze just before serving can add another layer of flavor.
- Nutty Swap: While almonds are classic, toasted pecans or walnuts could also work beautifully.
Other Thanksgiving Recipes For Two To Serve
Planning a smaller Thanksgiving feast? Here are some more holiday ideas designed for two, perfect for complementing your green beans:
- Stuffed Cornish Hen
- Stuffed Turkey Breast
- Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Homemade Gravy Without Drippings
- Vegan Mushroom Gravy
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Honey Glazed Ham Steak
- Lamb Chop Dinner
- Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy
Green Beans with Almonds and Olives
4 servings
15 minutes
20 minutes
35 minutes
Looking for an easy small batch side dish? Learn how to make these healthy Green Beans with Almonds and Olives!
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound (228 grams) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup (22 grams) sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup sliced garlic stuffed olives
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt, for tasting
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the trimmed green beans. Cook until bright green but still firm and tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by adding ice cubes to a large bowl and filling it with cold water. Once the beans are done, immediately drain them and transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. When completely cool, drain the beans into a colander. Pat them thoroughly dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove all excess moisture.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, add the dried green beans and salt to taste. Sauté, tossing frequently, until the beans are tender-crisp, slightly browned in spots, and beautifully colored, about 6-8 minutes.
- Create a small well in the middle of the skillet, pushing the beans to the sides. Add the sliced almonds to the well. Cook the almonds, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Then, toss them with the green beans.
- Add the sliced garlic-stuffed olives and lemon zest to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute more, tossing everything together, until the olives are warmed through and the flavors are fully combined. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
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Make Ahead, Storage, and Reheating Tips
To make your holiday cooking even smoother, you can prepare some elements of this dish in advance. The green beans can be trimmed and parboiled up to a day ahead. After the ice bath, make sure they are thoroughly dried, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This cuts down on last-minute prep.
Leftovers, if any, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. While best enjoyed fresh, you can gently reheat them in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny bit of olive oil until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook them during reheating, as they can lose their tender-crisp texture. A quick flash in the pan is usually enough to bring them back to life.
Conclusion: A Fresh Take on a Holiday Favorite
These Green Beans with Toasted Almonds and Garlic Olives offer a refreshing, healthy, and incredibly flavorful alternative to traditional green bean dishes. Whether you’re planning a full Thanksgiving feast or simply looking for an easy and delicious vegan side dish for any night of the week, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. Its simple preparation, vibrant colors, and dynamic flavors make it a perfect addition to any meal. Give it a try and enjoy the delightful combination of crisp green beans, crunchy almonds, and savory olives!