Print

Savory Green Beans with Bacon and Garlic

green beans with bacon and garlic - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy 20-minute side dish featuring tender-crisp green beans, crispy bacon, and fragrant garlic. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday dinners, this recipe uses simple ingredients to deliver bold, comforting flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped into small pieces
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: trim ends off green beans, chop bacon into small pieces, and mince garlic.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon to the cold skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy and golden brown. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the rendered bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add olive oil to the bacon fat and increase heat to medium-high. Once shimmering, add green beans in an even layer. Cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes to develop char marks.
  4. Stir green beans and cook for another 2-3 minutes until bright green and starting to soften but still crisp.
  5. Push green beans to one side of the pan. Add minced garlic to the hot surface and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just golden. Stir garlic into green beans immediately.
  6. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss to coat evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until tender-crisp.
  7. Return crispy bacon to the pan and toss together. Cook for 30 seconds to warm the bacon.
  8. Remove pan from heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and toss one final time.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra black pepper or flaky sea salt if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the green beans. Pat green beans dry before cooking for better searing. Watch garlic carefully to prevent burning. Start bacon in a cold pan for even rendering. Use the rendered bacon fat for maximum flavor. For best results, serve immediately.

Nutrition

Keywords: green beans, bacon, garlic, quick side dish, 20-minute recipe, easy vegetables, holiday side, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/savory-green-beans-with-bacon-and-garlic-easy-20-minute-side/