Garden Green Beans with Bacon
Savor the perfect blend of smoky, savory, and fresh flavors with this Garden Green Beans with Bacon recipe—a delightful side dish that elevates any meal. Crisp-tender green beans are lightly sautéed with caramelized red onions and garlic, then tossed with golden, crispy bacon and finished with a zesty splash of lemon juice. A touch of red pepper flakes adds optional heat for those who love a kick! With only 30 minutes from start to finish, this dish balances simplicity and bold flavor, making it an instant hit for family dinners or holiday feasts. Perfectly seasoned and irresistibly hearty, these garden-fresh green beans are sure to be the star of your table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
Wash and trim the ends of the green beans. If desired, cut longer beans in half for more manageable pieces.
Chop the bacon into small pieces and finely mince the garlic. Thinly slice the red onion into half-moons.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook until they are crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon grease in the skillet.
Add the butter to the skillet with the bacon grease and allow it to melt. Toss in the sliced red onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and slightly caramelized.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the butter and aromatics. Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes over the green beans.
Sauté the green beans for 5-7 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they are tender but still crisp. If needed, cover the skillet with a lid for 2-3 minutes to steam them slightly.
Once the green beans are cooked to your liking, stir in the cooked bacon pieces and drizzle the lemon juice over the top for a hint of brightness.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot as a savory side dish for dinner or holiday meals.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
432 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.4 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.3 g | 57% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 63 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 1751 mg | 76% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.7 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.2 g | 61% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.0 g | ||
| Protein | 20.4 g | 41% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 204 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 1260 mg | 27% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
