Imagine a side dish so irresistible that even vegetable skeptics will be coming back for more. Our Easy Green Beans with Crispy Bacon is not just another boring vegetable recipe - it's a flavor explosion that transforms ordinary green beans into a mouthwatering masterpiece. With the perfect balance of crispy bacon, buttery goodness, and tender-crisp green beans, this recipe is about to become your new go-to side dish that will steal the show at any meal.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the green beans thoroughly under cold running water, then trim off the tough ends by snapping or cutting them.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook the bacon slowly, stirring occasionally, until it becomes crisp and golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the crispy bacon pieces from the skillet using a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Leave the bacon drippings in the skillet.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, add butter and allow it to melt completely, swirling to combine with the bacon fat.
- Add minced garlic to the butter and bacon fat, sautéing for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet, tossing them to coat evenly with the butter, bacon fat, and garlic.
- Cook the green beans for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender-crisp and develop slight browning.
- Season the green beans with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, continuing to toss and coat evenly.
- Return the crispy bacon pieces to the skillet, stirring to distribute them throughout the green beans.
- Transfer the green beans and bacon to a serving dish, ensuring an even distribution of the crispy bacon pieces.
- Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the combination of tender green beans and crispy bacon.
Tips
- Choose fresh, firm green beans for the best texture and flavor. Look for beans that are bright green and snap cleanly when bent.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet - this ensures your beans get crispy edges instead of steaming.
- Cook bacon slowly to render out maximum flavor and achieve that perfect crispy texture.
- Watch your garlic carefully! It can burn quickly, so sauté for just 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
- For extra flavor, try adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes just before serving.
- If you want to make this dish ahead of time, cook the bacon and beans separately and combine just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 150kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
