Prepare to transform the humble green bean into a culinary masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds! This Loaded Skillet Toasted Green Beans recipe is not just another side dish – it's a flavor explosion that turns ordinary vegetables into a crispy, golden-brown sensation that will revolutionize the way you think about green beans. With a perfect balance of toasted almonds, aromatic garlic, and a delightful crunch, this recipe is about to become your new go-to side dish that steals the show at any meal.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the green beans thoroughly under cold running water, then pat them completely dry using clean kitchen towels or paper towels to ensure proper toasting.
- Trim the ends of the green beans by cutting off the tough stem ends, creating uniform and clean bean pieces for even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, allowing the oil to become hot but not smoking.
- Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded to promote proper toasting and caramelization.
- Cook the green beans without stirring for 2-3 minutes, allowing them to develop a golden-brown color and crispy edges on the bottom.
- Stir the green beans and continue cooking, tossing occasionally to ensure even browning on all sides for approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and infuse the beans with garlic flavor.
- Sprinkle slivered almonds into the skillet and toast them alongside the green beans, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Season the green beans with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste and ensuring even distribution of seasoning.
- Remove the skillet from heat when green beans are crisp-tender and have developed a beautiful golden-brown color with toasted almonds.
- Transfer the loaded skillet green beans to a serving platter, ensuring to scrape all the toasted garlic and almonds from the pan.
- Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the crispy texture and rich, toasted flavors of the green beans.
Tips
- Dry is the Key: Ensure your green beans are completely dry before cooking. Excess moisture will prevent proper toasting and crisp edges.
- Don't Overcrowd the Skillet: Use a large skillet and cook the beans in a single layer. Overcrowding will steam the beans instead of toasting them.
- Patience with Toasting: Let the beans sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes initially to develop those beautiful golden-brown edges.
- Almond Toasting Trick: Add almonds towards the end of cooking to prevent burning and ensure a perfect golden color.
- Garlic Timing: Add minced garlic late in the cooking process to prevent burning and maintain its fresh, aromatic flavor.
- Season Generously: Don't be shy with salt and pepper – they bring out the beans' natural flavors.
- Serve Immediately: These beans are best enjoyed hot right out of the skillet, when they're at their crispiest and most flavorful.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
