Description
Southern bacon and green beans shine as a classic side dish packed with smoky flavor and Southern comfort. Crispy bacon bits and tender green beans create a simple, hearty complement to any main course you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) butter (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Render bacon in a spacious skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Utilize remaining bacon drippings to sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet and cook briefly, allowing aromatics to release their fragrant essence.
- Add fresh green beans to the skillet, tossing gently to coat with onion and bacon remnants.
- Cover and simmer beans for 8-10 minutes, stirring intermittently to ensure even cooking and prevent scorching.
- Season the green bean mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Optional: Incorporate a pat of butter for enhanced richness and silky texture.
- Crumble reserved crispy bacon over the green beans, distributing evenly throughout the dish.
- Transfer to a serving platter and present immediately while still steaming hot, showcasing the harmonious blend of smoky and tender components.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for maximum crunch and deeper flavor profile.
- Drain excess bacon grease if you prefer a lighter dish, but keep some for authentic Southern taste.
- Fresh green beans work best; frozen can become mushy and lose their crisp texture.
- Add red pepper flakes for a subtle heat kick that complements the salty bacon perfectly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg