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Microwave Green Bean Almondine is an easy go-to recipe when you need a quick but delicious side dish. It can be served with a fancy dinner or a simple weeknight meal. Fresh green beans, sliced almonds, and a balsamic glaze, quickly transition into a lovely side dish to compliment your finest entrée.
I love cooking with fresh green beans. In my early years of marriage, my husband and I grew a very large garden full of vegetables, and I spent a large portion of the summer harvesting them. These days, I mostly buy our fresh vegetables at the grocery store or Farmer’s Market. Thankfully, it is easy to buy fresh green beans at the store.
While I prefer using fresh green beans in this recipe, it is possible to make it with frozen green beans, although the finished dish will be softer. Fresh green beans will yield a dish that is crisp and bright, which is ultimately what we’re going for.
This recipe is based on a classic French dish that highlights l’ haricot verts (green beans). Cooked in butter with shallots and garlic and then garnished with almond slices, it’s a lovely side dish that goes well with salmon, pork, and chicken. See my recipes for Lemon Garlic Salmon or Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.
Because life is always too busy, I’ve simplified this dish by cooking it in the microwave. Less time + fewer dirty dishes = a happier cook!
More Microwave Dishes to Try
- Microwaved Scalloped Potatoes
- Cheesy Ham and Rice with Broccoli
- Steamed Potatoes with Parsley
- Peanut Butter Caramel Popcorn
Ingredients for Microwave Green Bean Almondine
(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
- fresh green beans, trimmed
- shallots, minced
- garlic cloves, minced
- butter
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- sliced almonds
- balsamic glaze (see my homemade version below)
Homemade Balsamic Glaze
- balsamic vinegar
- honey
- kosher salt
Instructions for this Recipe
Gather the ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. For this recipe, you’ll need a lidded microwave-safe casserole dish that is 9″ x 9″ or larger. Spray the dish with cooking spray for faster clean-up.
Prepare the Ingredients
Rinse the green beans in cold water and drain in a colander. Using a cutting board and Chef’s knife, trim the ends of the green beans, and any blemishes on the beans. Place beans in the greased baking dish.
Mince the shallots and garlic cloves.
Make the Balsamic Glaze
If you are using a homemade balsamic glaze, go ahead and prepare it now. Place balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add to it the honey and a pinch of kosher salt. Whisk until mixed together. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat and continue simmering at a low boil until the liquid has reduced by half and starts to thicken. This may take around 10-12 minutes.
When making this glaze, do not fret if it is not thickening as much as you desire. Keep the temperature at a low boil and continue cooking. Also, be aware that the glaze will thicken as it cools.
For simplicity’s sake, I am including amounts to make extra glaze to store in the refrigerator for other uses. Consider using this Balsamic Glaze on Brussels Sprouts, or roasted meats such chicken or Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.
If you would prefer to make less of this glaze, simply reduce the amount by half, as you will need about 1/4 cup for this recipe.
If desired, you may make this glaze ahead of time and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Assemble the Dish
Sprinkle the minced shallots and garlic over the green beans. Place pats of butter over the top of the beans. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover with lid.
I have best success when cooking vegetables in the microwave when using a lid to cover the dish, which creates steam. Think casserole dishes such as Corning Ware or Anchor Hocking. If you do not have a lidded dish, you may use a damp paper towel instead.
Heat in microwave for 3-4 minutes on high. Remove the lid from the dish and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or spurtle.
Cover with lid and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the beans are slightly tender. If possible, I like the beans to still have a bit of crispness to them.
Remove from microwave and stir in the sliced almonds. Drizzle the green beans with up to 1/4 cup of balsamic glaze. Start with less and add more if needed. If necessary, add more salt and pepper to the dish to suite your taste.
Because this dish doesn’t take very long to prepare, you’ll want to save cooking it until the last. Transfer to a serving bowl, or serve in the baking casserole dish. Serve warm.
This recipe makes enough for 6-8 people.
See more Side Dishes Here. View Homemade Sauces and Spices Here. Browse Recipes for an Easter Dinner Here.
Microwave Green Bean Almondine
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh green beans trimmed
- 3 medium shallots minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 4 tablespoons balsamic glaze see my homemade version below
Homemade Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients so you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. For this recipe, you'll need a lidded microwave-safe casserole dish that is 9" x 9" or larger. Spray the dish with cooking spray for faster clean-up.
Prepare the Ingredients
- Rinse the green beans in cold water and drain in a colander. Using a cutting board and Chef's knife, trim the ends of the green beans, and any blemishes on the beans. Place beans in the greased casserole dish.
- Mince the shallots and garlic cloves.
Make the Balsamic Glaze (optional)
- Place balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add to it the honey and kosher salt. Whisk until mixed together. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat and continue simmering at a low boil until the liquid has reduced by half, stirring occasionally. This may take around around 10-12 minutes.
- When making this glaze, do not fret if it is not thickening as much as you desire. Keep the temperature at a low boil and continue cooking. Also, be aware that the glaze will thicken as it cools.
- (For simplicity's sake, I am including amounts to make extra glaze to store in the refrigerator for other uses. If you would prefer to make less, simply reduce the amount by half, as you will need up to a 1/4 cup for this recipe.)
- If desired, you may make this glaze ahead of time and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Assemble the Dish
- Sprinkle the minced shallots and garlic over the green beans. Place pats of butter over the top of the beans. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover with lid.
- Heat in microwave for 3-4 minutes on high. Remove the lid from the dish and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or spurtle.
- Cover with lid and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the beans are slightly tender. If possible, I like the beans to still have a bit of crispness to them.
- Remove from microwave and stir in the sliced almonds. Drizzle the green beans with up to 1/4 cup of balsamic glaze. Start with less and add more as needed. If desired, add more salt and pepper to the dish to suite your taste.
- This recipe makes enough for 6-8 people.
