Bacon Green Beans
These Bacon Green Beans are a perfect mix of savory and crisp. They combine tender green beans with smoky, crispy bacon in a simple but flavorful side dish. Ready in minutes, this recipe is perfect for holiday dinners or an easy weeknight side everyone will love.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 400kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large shallot finely diced
- 1 ½ lbs green beans stems removed
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add bacon to a heavy-bottomed pot or large skillet and cook for medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and lightly crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a lined plate.
- Remove all but a tablespoon of the bacon grease and return the pan to medium heat. Pour in the olive oil, then add the shallots. Cook for 1-2 minutes until softened, then add the beans. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.
- Add the garlic and bacon, and cook for 1-2 minutes more until the garlic is fragrant and the bacon is hot. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.
Notes
Scroll up to view a visual walkthrough of the recipe.
Start with a cold pan: add the bacon to the skillet before turning on the stove. This allows the fat to render out slowly resulting in crisp bacon that is tender on the inside.
Use medium heat: use medium or medium-low heat to cook the beans. This prevents them from burning and ensures an even cook and texture.
Blanch the beans: blanching the beans in boiling water for 1 minute then plunging them in ice water before sauteeing them will help the beans retain their vibrant color.
Make ahead: this is a recipe that works perfectly to make ahead for serving on holidays - we often prepare the components the night before or morning of. Simply blanch the green beans, and pre-cook the bacon, then when ready to prepare the dish saute the shallots and garlic, then warm the beans and bacon.
Storage: allow the green beans to cool to room temperature then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 258mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 784IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg