Instant Pot Green Beans Almondine

Ingredients

• 14 ounces (400 grams) fresh green beans (haricots verts), trimmed
• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter or ghee
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon garlic-infused olive oil (or EVOO + 1 clove garlic, minced, if not needing low FODMAP)
• 1/4 cup leek greens, finely chopped (or white onion if not needing low FODMAP)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 cup cold water (1 1/2 cups for an 8-quart Instant Pot)
• Large bowl of ice water, for an ice bath
• Lemon slices and zest

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep Ingredients: As this recipe moves very quickly, prepare all your ingredients and the ice bath before starting to cook.

2. 2

   Prep Instant Pot: Add water to your 6-quart Instant Pot, 8-quart Instant Pot, or comparable electric pressure cooker and place a vegetable steamer basket inside. Place green beans evenly in the basket.

3. 3

   Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the pressure release valve to “Sealing.” Hit the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” button, and set the timer for 0 minutes (yes, zero. It’s a thing).

4. 4

   Quick Pressure Release: Once the cooking cycle has completed, perform a quick manual release of the pressure, and open the lid.

5. 5

   Ice Bath: Immediately transfer the beans to the prepared ice bath and allow to sit for 1 minute, which helps stop the beans from cooking further. Drain, pat dry with paper towels, and set aside.

6. 6

   Toast Almonds: Discard water from the inner pot and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Hit the "Sauté" button, and once the display reads “Hot,” add butter or ghee. Once melted, swirl the pot to coat the bottom, add almonds, and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Be careful not to leave unattended as they can easily burn. Using a slotted spoon, remove almonds to a plate, leaving as much butter in the pot as possible.

7. 7

   --- instruction-step-7">Sauté Leeks ---

8. 8

   Sauté Leeks: Add the garlic infused olive oil (or EVOO) to the pot and swirl to coat. If using fresh garlic, add and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Add leeks (or onion) and sauté for 1 minute (longer for onion), stirring frequently, until they soften and become fragrant.

9. 9

   Combine Ingredients: Add the salt and pepper to the pot and stir to combine with the aromatics. Add the green beans and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the lemon juice and zest and stir beans until just coated. Hit “Cancel” on the Instant Pot and promptly remove beans to a bowl or platter so they don’t overcook.

10. 10

    Serve: Spoon almonds on top of beans and serve alongside your favorite main dishes, like Thanksgiving turkey, Buttermilk Marinated Chicken Drumsticks, Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Glazed Ham, Tourtière (French Canadian Meat Pie), and more.