Here’s an easy recipe for classic roasted green beans with the addition of almonds. They are simple enough for a busy weeknight and also the perfect side dish to serve for Thanksgiving or the holidays. 

a pan of roasted green beans from overhead with a set of tongs on top

I originally shared this recipe on August 14th, 2015. I have updated the recipe, text, photos and added a video today. 

Why We Love This Recipe For Roasted Green Beans

This green beans recipe is like a cross between two classic recipes, Green Beans Almondine and Roasted Green Beans. The combination of the two is greater than the sum of its parts and is one of my favorite ways to prepare fresh green beans.

Unlike green beans almondine, there’s no need to blanch and reheat the beans or saute the almonds in butter. Instead, the green beans and almonds are cooked all at once on a sheet pan. This recipe only requires 15 minutes of prep time and cooking time, so you can have it on the table in only 30 minutes! It is definitely the easiest way to prepare a delicious side dish.

Additionally, the addition of thyme, garlic and sliced almonds with basic roasted string beans is so delicious. The almonds make the roasted beans elevated and sophisticated for Thanksgiving, Easter, serving to company or another special occasion.

If you want another way to cook string beans on the stovetop instead, make sure to check out this green beans recipe made in a skillet! And this guide to How To Cook Green Beans is a great way to learn more ways to prepare them.

Ingredients For Roasted Green Bean Recipe

  • Fresh Green Beans: Start off by purchasing fresh green beans. In the summertime, that’s easy enough, but as we creep into the colder months of the year, green beans can be hit or miss. If they are not looking particularly great, it’s totally okay to stand there in the produce department and pick them bean by bean. Or if you’re in a hurry, buy a little extra in case you end up tossing some when you trim them. If they’re available, feel free to use some yellow wax beans in place of some or all of the green beans. They will cook just the same. 
  • Garlic: I buy fresh heads of garlic and always recommend that you dear reader do the same. The taste compared to jarred chopped garlic is not even comparable, and jarred garlic often contains preservatives. 
  • Almonds: Because green beans roast pretty quickly, you’ll want to buy sliced almonds. You can also substitute slivered almonds or another type of tree nut, chopped up. Examples of other nuts that would work well are walnuts, hazelnuts or pecans. If you don’t like nuts, or avoid them, you can 100% leave them out and this recipe will still work well. 
  • Olive Oil: I use extra-virgin olive oil for this recipe because I like the slightly fruity taste it adds, if subtle, and also the health profile. It is high in monounsaturated fats which are heart-healthy. 
  • Thyme: The flavor of the fresh thyme is what takes this recipe from great to really great and it really only takes a small amount to get amazing flavor! I have also made this with fresh half chopped thyme and half rosemary (I grow both in my garden) which is super yummy. If you love a particular herb other than thyme, feel free to sub it in. Remember to stick to woodier herbs such as oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage and thyme. Tender herbs such as dill, cilantro and basil should be added at the end of cooking. 
  • Salt: At first I thought this was too much salt, but I found that some of the salt stuck to the bowl and the pan. It ended up that the green beans were nicely seasoned but too much so. If you are salt sensitive, you can start with none or less and then add it in at the end, just to taste. Also, this recipe uses regular table salt and not kosher salt, so make sure you don’t substitute another salt.

How To Make Green Bean And Almonds In Oven

Before You Begin

Preheat your oven first, since that takes a little while. You can work on sorting and trimming the green beans while you wait. Oh, and before you turn it on, make sure that your rack is in the center of the oven. 

You’ll also want to find a half-sheet pan. I use a standard half sheet for pretty much every roasting recipe I ever do. They’re nice and heavy so they cook evenly. They have a lip to hold everything in, and they are not too dark which can cause burning. This is the kind I recommend. ( That’s an affiliate link.)

Sort and Trim Green Beans

green beans in a bowl
Step 1. Sort through and trim the stem ends off the green beans.
  • Line the green beans up on the cutting board, stem end together. Chop off just the stem ends. The stem ends are pithy and not palatable. No need to cut off the other end. 
  • Discard any withered or mushy green beans. 
  • Trim off any broken ends.

Toss Ingredients in a Bowl

stirring the green beans in a bowl with tongs
Step 2: Add the oil, almonds, garlic, thyme and seasoning and toss to combine.

Toss the fresh beans with the garlic, thyme, almonds, salt and oil in a big bowl. This is an easy way to ensure that the seasonings evenly coat the green beans. Then spread the mixture out in a single layer on the baking sheet. I like to use a rubber or silicone spatula to scrape out any almonds and seasoning that gets stuck to the bowl. 

Roasting Tips

spreading the green beans on a sheet pan
Step 3. Spread the green beans out over a heavy rimmed sheet pan and roast until they are tender and browned in spots.

Roast the beans for 10 minutes or so. Then give the beans a good stir and continue roasting.

It takes about 15 or so minutes for the green beans to become that perfect balance of crisp-tender and browned. So take a peek at them. They should be blistered in spots, you’ll see some wrinkles too! This is normal. Also, some of the almonds will also brown a bit. 

a pan of green beans from the side with a set of tongs grabbing a few

FAQs for Roasted Green Beans with Almonds

Do I have to preheat the oven?

It is important to preheat the oven because you want a hot oven otherwise the green beans don’t get as browned and will lack that delicious roasty toasty thing that happens that I was talking about in this recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I do not have a large sheet pan. What do I do?

Even with the large rimmed sheet pan that we recommend, the sheet pan will be pretty full, so it is important to let the green beans roast in an even layer undisturbed for several minutes before you stir them. This will give them a chance to brown where they are touching the sheet pan. If you do not have a large pan, use two smaller ones, and rotate them halfway through the roasting time.

How do I know when they are done?

The best way to tell if they are done is to eat one. But be careful because they will be very hot. If they are soft but still have a nice crispy toothsome bite, they’re just perfect. Transfer all that deliciousness to a serving platter and this will become a vegetable side dish your family loves.

Leftovers, Make Ahead Tips and Reheating

Make Ahead:

  1. Sort and trim the beans and seal them into a large resealable bag or glass container. 
  2. Chop the garlic and thyme, and combine them with the almonds in a small resealable container. 
  3. When you are ready to cook them, toss the beans with the thyme and almond mixture along with the oil and salt to coat them. Then proceed with the recipe. 

Leftovers + Reheating Roasted Green Beans

  • Storage: If you do have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for three days.
  • Reheat in Microwave: To reheat them, set them in a microwave-safe dish, covered with parchment. Microwave on high for 40 seconds per serving.
  • Reheat on Stovetop: Alternatively, reheat the roasted green beans in a small non-stick skillet with a little olive oil or broth over medium heat, stirring often, until heated through and steaming hot, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not overcook as they will become too soft.
  • Texture Tip: For best texture, sprinkle a few additional toasted nuts on top before serving.

More Green Bean Recipes To Try

Roasted Green beans with almonds on a platter with text

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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a pan of roasted green beans from overhead with a set of tongs on top

Roasted Green Beans


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4.9 from 8 reviews

Description

This recipe for Roasted Green Beans with Almonds is a simple and classic way to prepare green beans for a side dish.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Toss beans, garlic, almonds, oil, thyme and salt in a large bowl. Spread out on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast, stirring the beans once or twice until the beans are softened and blistered in spots and the almonds are browning, 15 to 17 minutes.

Notes

If you do not eat almonds you can omit them or substitute another chopped nut, such as walnuts or pecans.

Feel free to substitute yellow wax beans for some or all of the green beans.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: side dish
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2/3 cup
  • Calories: 88
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 201 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 3 g