Simple Green Beans with Bacon
This is my go to side dish when I want something comforting, savory, and fresh all at once.
recipesbynani.comThere is something special about the way salty, crispy bacon pairs with fresh green beans. It is one of those classic combinations that makes everyone at the table excited to eat their vegetables.
My favorite trick for this recipe is to make sure the bacon gets nice and crispy before you add the beans. If you have time, tossing in a little splash of lemon juice at the end really brightens up all those rich flavors.
🧺 Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the green beans for about 3 to 4 minutes until they are bright green and tender but still have a bit of a crunch.
- 2
Drain the beans and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, then drain them again and set aside.
- 3
Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until it is brown and crispy.
- 4
Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits from the pan and set them on a paper towel, but leave about one tablespoon of the bacon fat in the skillet.
- 5
Add the butter to the skillet with the bacon fat, then stir in the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until it smells wonderful.
- 6
Add the green beans to the skillet and toss them well to coat in the garlic butter.
- 7
Cook for 2 minutes to heat everything through, then stir in the crispy bacon bits, salt, and pepper before serving.
💡 Tips
These beans taste best when served right away while hot. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and reheat them gently in a skillet.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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