This is the green bean side that shows up on my holiday table every year, and it earns the spot honestly. Keto green beans almondine with bacon takes the classic French preparation and makes it worth fighting over.
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I toast the almonds separately in the same pan the bacon just left, so they pick up that fat instead of plain butter alone.
This is a fast weeknight side too, not just a holiday one, since the whole thing comes together in 20 minutes.
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Chef Jenn’s Take on Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
Most almondine recipes toast the almonds in plain butter and call it a day, which is fine but leaves flavor on the table. Toasted almonds in butter taste like toasted almonds in butter, nothing more.
I toast mine in the fat left behind from cooking the bacon instead. That fat already carries smoke and salt, and the almonds pick up both while they brown, so you get more flavor for the same five minutes of work. Wipe the pan down to about 2 tablespoons of fat first, or the almonds end up greasy instead of crisp.
Watch them closely once they hit the heat. Almonds go from golden to burnt in what feels like seconds, especially once the pan is already hot from the bacon. Pull them the moment they smell toasted, not when they look perfectly done, since they keep browning a little off the heat even after the pan comes off the stove.
What You’ll Love About Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
- The bacon fat does double duty, flavoring the almonds as they toast instead of using plain butter alone.
- It comes together in 20 minutes, which makes it realistic for a holiday table without adding to the cooking chaos.
- It works just as well on a random Tuesday as it does next to a holiday roast.
Ingredients
- Green Beans or haricot vert – fresh are best in this easy side dish but frozen will work
- Bacon
- Almonds – Sliced or slivered.
- Butter
How To Make Green Bean Almondine with Bacon
Snip the stem ends off the beans. However you like them cut – or not cut – is fine! Cook the green beans in salted boiling water for about 8 minutes or until they are tender-crisp.
Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a small skillet. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the hot pan.
Toss the bacon and butter with toasted almonds, and spoon this lusciousness over the top of the hot beans.
Make It A Meal
This one is built to sit next to a roast, so I keep the pairings simple. My Keto Pot Roast with Bacon or my Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin both work well alongside it.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. This freezes fine in a pinch, but the almonds lose their crunch and the beans lose some snap once thawed. Reheat gently in a skillet rather than the microwave to keep some texture back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can freeze it, but the nuts won’t be quite so crispy and the beans will also lose some of their snap. If that’s fine by you, freeze leftovers in an air-tight zipper freezer bag or vacuum seal them. To thaw, reheat gently in the microwave.
Almonds are the traditional pick for green bean amandine recipes, but you could swap the almonds for toasted pecans or even walnuts.
Yes! Green beans and almonds both have natural carbs in them so I wouldn’t want to binge on this dish, but in moderation is it just fine for most keto dieters. There are 6 net carbs per serving of this dish.
Add Preferred SourceGreen Beans Almondine with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Cook the green beans in salted boiling water for about 8 minutes or until they are tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a small skillet. Remove all but 2 tabelspoons of the bacon fat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the hot pan.
- Toss the bacon and butter with toasted almonds, and spoon this lusciousness over the top of the hot beans.
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Toast the almonds in the reserved bacon fat, not plain butter alone. It adds smoke and salt the almonds pick up as they brown.
- Watch the almonds closely once they hit the pan. They go from golden to burnt in seconds, especially in an already-hot skillet.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Want Even More Easy Keto Recipes?
These are some of my current favorites:
- Crack Cauliflower
- Beefy minestrone soup
- Grilled vegetables
- And this dump-and-go Instant Pot classic
Having trouble counting carbs? Check out this handy calculator.
What a fabulous way to make green bean! Topping with bacon and almonds make these perfect enough for the holidays. Thanks for another awesome recipe!
This is such a beautiful recipe for green beans almondine! Never have I ever made it with bacon before and I’ve got to say, it’s a game changer. The salty crunch adds so much!
It is deliciously different – I’m so glad you enjoyed it! ~Jenn
Very nice and tasty side dish! Just finished making it and I love it!
I love green beans but don’t eat them enough. I love this idea for them.
Such a fantastic way to prepare green beans! I absolutely love the addition of the bacon and almonds. So many wonderful flavors.