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Savory Crack Green Beans with Bacon

savory crack green beans with bacon - featured image
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A quick and easy side dish featuring fresh green beans sautéed with crispy bacon, brown sugar, and butter for a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and savory flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • Salt to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Wash and trim about 1 pound of fresh green beans by snapping off the ends or cutting with a knife.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 6 chopped slices of bacon. Cook until crispy and browned, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Toss in the trimmed green beans and stir to coat them well with the bacon fat and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until beans start to get tender but still have a bit of crunch.
  5. Pour in 1/4 cup of water, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the beans steam for 4-5 minutes to soften while keeping a nice snap.
  6. Remove the lid and stir in 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, coating the beans in a glossy glaze.
  7. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon salt and adjust). Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Stir everything to combine.
  8. Return the crispy bacon pieces to the skillet and toss gently to mix. Cook for another minute to warm the bacon through and marry the flavors.
  9. Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh green beans for best texture; frozen green beans can be used but steam a bit longer. To keep bacon crispy, add it back at the end of cooking. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based margarine. Avoid overcooking beans to maintain a tender-crisp texture. Brown sugar should be added off high heat to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: green beans, bacon, brown sugar, butter, savory side, quick recipe, easy side dish, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/savory-crack-green-beans-with-bacon-easy-recipe-for-flavorful-sides/