Fresh Bacon and Green Beans Recipe: A Savory Side Dish Wonder

Crisp bacon and green beans create a delightful side dish that surprises even picky eaters.

Our family stumbled upon this combination during a lazy summer dinner.

Southern kitchens often celebrate simple ingredient pairings like these.

Salt from the bacon perfectly complements the fresh green bean crunch.

Dark, sizzling pieces of bacon add a smoky depth to mild vegetables.

Skeptical diners quickly become converts after one bite of this easy recipe.

She’ll want seconds of this quick and satisfying vegetable medley.

Bacon And Green Beans Storage Tips You’ll Need

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm the bacon and green beans over medium heat in a skillet, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and maintain crispiness.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent overcooking.
• These green beans are best enjoyed fresh and may lose texture and become soggy if frozen, so consume within the recommended refrigeration time.

Great Matches for Bacon Green Beans

• Elevate Bacon and Green Beans Pairings
• Crisp Chardonnay Companion: Buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay cuts through the bacon's richness while complementing the green beans' earthy flavor, creating a balanced taste experience.
• Rustic Bread Sidekick: Crusty sourdough or rustic country bread provides a perfect textural contrast, soaking up the delicious bacon grease and adding a delightful crunch to each bite.
• Hearty Red Wine Match: Medium-bodied Pinot Noir offers subtle fruitiness that enhances the smoky bacon and brings out the green beans' natural sweetness, making the dish more complex and satisfying.
• Zesty Salad Counterpoint: Light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette helps cleanse the palate between bites, balancing the dish's richness and adding a fresh, bright element to the meal.

Bacon and Green Beans Style Swaps

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon for a plant-based protein alternative that adds similar smoky flavor and crispy texture.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use turkey bacon or reduced-sodium bacon, and limit added salt. Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for enhanced seasoning without extra sodium.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Keep the original recipe as is, ensuring crispy bacon and fresh green beans maintain the low-carb profile. Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
• Mediterranean Style: Swap bacon for pancetta or prosciutto, and add toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of lemon juice for a bright, Mediterranean-inspired side dish.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen green beans for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen green beans. Thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture.

• What type of bacon works best?

Thick-cut bacon provides more flavor and crispiness. Regular bacon also works well, so use what you prefer or have on hand.

• How do I know when the green beans are perfectly cooked?

Green beans are ready when they’re tender but still have a slight crunch. They should be bright green and not appear mushy or overcooked.

• Is it necessary to use bacon grease for cooking?

Bacon grease adds rich flavor, but if you want a lighter version, you can substitute olive oil or use a small amount of butter instead.

Bacon And Green Beans Add Comforting Flavor To Any Plate

• Speedy Side Dish Delight: Whips up in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
• Quick Kitchen Wins: Perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious vegetable side without complicated techniques.
• Flavor-Packed Nutrition Boost: Transforms simple green beans into a mouthwatering dish by using crispy bacon and caramelized onions, making vegetables irresistible for picky eaters.
• Versatile Companion Plate: Complements multiple main courses like roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked fish, making it a flexible recipe for various meals.

Green Beans With Bacon Item Mix

• Green Beans: Crisp and tender vegetable that provides a vibrant green color and nutritional value. Choose fresh, bright green beans without blemishes or soft spots.
• Onion: Adds aromatic depth and sweetness to the dish. Select a firm onion with no sprouts or soft areas.
• Garlic: Provides a pungent, robust flavor that complements the bacon. Look for firm, plump garlic cloves without green sprouts.

• Bacon, Bacon Slices: Rich, smoky meat that adds intense flavor and crispy texture. Opt for thick-cut bacon for more substantial pieces; can use center-cut for less fat.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps balance the dish. Use kosher or sea salt for best taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity to the recipe. Freshly ground pepper provides more robust flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient that brings optional spicy kick and warmth. Adjust quantity based on heat preference.

Bacon And Green Beans Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Sizzle Crispy Bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium temperature.

Cook bacon until golden brown and delightfully crunchy.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping all those delicious bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 2: Caramelize Aromatic Onions

Toss diced onions into the sizzling bacon drippings.

Sauté until the onions turn soft and slightly translucent, developing a sweet and rich flavor.

Step 3: Infuse with Garlic Essence

Add minced garlic to the skillet.

Stir and cook for about 60 seconds until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrant aroma.

Step 4: Transform Green Beans

Add fresh green beans to the skillet.

Gently toss to ensure every bean gets coated in the savory bacon drippings.

Cook for 5-7 minutes, aiming for beans that are tender yet maintain a delightful crisp texture.

Step 5: Season and Elevate

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper.

For those who enjoy a little kick, add red pepper flakes to boost the flavor profile.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Crumble the reserved crispy bacon over the green beans.

Gently mix to distribute the bacon pieces evenly.

Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately while warm.

Bacon And Green Beans With A Pro Twist

• Use the leftover bacon grease to add rich, smoky depth to the green beans, enhancing their overall taste and texture.
• Cook green beans for just 5-7 minutes to maintain a perfect crisp-tender bite that's not too soft or undercooked.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that complements the salty bacon and fresh green bean flavors.
• Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to ensure maximum crispiness without burning, which creates the best texture for crumbling.
• Prepare bacon and chop vegetables in advance to quickly assemble this side dish during busy weeknight dinner preparations.

Bacon and Green Beans Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent bacon mingles with crisp green beans in this Southern-style side dish that brings hearty comfort to any dinner table. Salty, smoky flavors dance together, creating a simple yet irresistible companion you’ll crave alongside main courses.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 6 slices bacon, chopped

Fresh Vegetables:

• 1 pound (454 grams) fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings:

• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Optional: red pepper flakes for spice

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Instructions

1. Render bacon in a spacious cast-iron pan over moderate flame until golden and crisp, allowing fat to release and pool in the skillet. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, preserving the rich, smoky drippings.
2. Sauté finely chopped onions in the residual bacon fat, stirring occasionally until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the aromatic mixture, gently stirring to prevent burning and release its pungent essence.
4. Incorporate fresh green beans into the skillet, tumbling them to ensure complete coating with the flavorful bacon rendering. Maintain medium heat while cooking, allowing beans to become tender yet retain a delightful crunch.
5. Enhance the dish with judicious sprinklings of kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
6. Crumble the previously prepared crisp bacon and delicately fold into the green bean medley, ensuring even distribution of the smoky, savory fragments.
7. Transfer to a serving platter and present immediately while the beans remain warm and the bacon retains its delectable crispness.

Notes

• Crisp bacon in a skillet slowly to render maximum flavor without burning, ensuring a perfect golden-brown texture that adds delightful crunch to the green beans.
• Control heat carefully when sautéing onions and garlic to prevent burning, which can create bitter undertones and ruin the dish’s delicate balance.
• Opt for fresh green beans when possible, as they provide superior texture and vibrant color compared to frozen alternatives, elevating the overall dish quality.
• Adjust seasoning based on bacon’s saltiness; some bacon varieties are saltier than others, so taste and season incrementally to avoid over-salting.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg