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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Side Dishes » Green Beans with Bacon and Garlic

    Green Beans with Bacon and Garlic

    November 17, 2022 By Danielle Esposti 9 Comments

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

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    Pinterest collage for green beans with bacon recipe.
    Pinterest collage for green beans with bacon recipe.
    Pinterest image for a recipe for green beans with bacon and garlic.
    Pinterest image for a recipe for green beans with bacon and garlic.

    Transform green beans from acceptable to extraordinary! Green Beans with Bacon and Garlic are a quick and easy side dish. Sautéed green beans are incredibly flavorful on their own, but the additions of bacon and garlic make this humble vegetable shine.

    From above, green beans with bacon and garlic in a serving bowl.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • How to Make Green Beans with Bacon
    • Chef’s Tips!
    • What Kind of Bacon Should I Use?
    • What’s the Easiest Way to Cut Bacon?
    • Recipe

    Adding bacon and garlic to plain ol’ green beans is one of my favorite ways to take simple cooked green beans from “oh that’s just fine” to “gimme! gimme all the green beans!”.

    I think we tend to either over- or under-complicate side dishes, especially humble vegetables like green beans, and particularly around the holidays. Sure, green beans almondine is incredibly delicious. But there’s definitely some extra effort required! (And don’t even get me started on green bean casserole!)

    Air fryer green beans are an easy favorite, but they’re not quite special enough for, say, Thanksgiving dinner. Italian-style green beans deliver on flavor, plus the cooking method is fairly straightforward.

    But bacon green beans are by far my favorite green veggie to serve for special gatherings (and okay, sometimes on a random Tuesday, too!). Sometimes simple is the most direct road to addictively delicious, and this recipe is proof. Sweet, tender green beans with salty, crispy bacon is so simple (made with just four ingredients!) but it delivers huge flavor.

    One of my favorite things about this recipe is that’s made in just one pan – no blanching or ice baths required – plus it’s ready in only 20 minutes! Talk about an all-star, crowd-pleasing side dish. Move over green bean casserole – bacon is here to take your green bean game next level!

    Why This Recipe Works

    • It’s cooked in one pan in 20 minutes – no additional blanching or steaming required.
    • The green beans are cooked in the rendered bacon fat, adding additional flavor.
    • Slightly dampened green beans saute and steam at the same time for the perfect balance between crisp and tender.

    Need a different visual? View this recipe as a story!

    A serving bowl of green beans and bacon with a silver serving fork on a cement background with a grey linen napkin.

    How to Make Green Beans with Bacon

    Pan-seared green beans with bacon and garlic is the perfect quick and easy side dish for everything. Fast enough for weeknight dinners, and crowd-pleasing enough for celebrations like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. This recipe is so fast, so flavorful, and SO EASY. Plus it’s got bacon – what more could you want in a side dish?!?

    Raw green beans tossed with rendered bacon fat and pepper in a skillet.
    Charred sautéed green beans in a skillet.
    Charred sautéed green beans in a skillet with minced garlic.
    Sautéing green beans with minced bacon.
    Green beans with bacon and garlic in a skillet with a wood spoon.
    1. Brown chopped bacon in a large skillet until crisp and golden brown; remove using a slotted spoon.
    2. Rinse green beans in a colander; shake to remove excess moisture, but do not completely dry.
    3. Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the rendered bacon fat.
    4. Cover the pan. Cook, stirring every 2 minutes, until the green beans are charred and just about bite tender – about 6 minutes.
    5. Add the garlic to the skillet. Toss the garlic with the green beans and cook for 1 minute more, or until the garlic is lightly golden brown and very fragrant.
    6. Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and toss with the green beans.
    7. Season to taste with freshly ground pepper and additional salt (if needed).

    Chef’s Tips!

    • Rinse the green beans in a colander, drain well, but don’t dry completely – the residual water clinging to the green beans will help them steam, while the hight heat will brown them, resulting in perfectly tender but caramelized green beans.
    • Use a 12″ skillet. The larger size allows the green beans to spread out so as much of their surface area as possible comes into contact with the hot pan.
    • If you don’t have a lid for your 12″ skillet, cover with an inverted baking sheet or a 12″ round pizza pan.
    • Be sure to drain the excess bacon fat, leaving just a thin layer behind – too much fat and the green beans will be too greasy.
    • Keep an eye on the green beans while sautéing – add the garlic once the beans are charred and just about bite tender, but not limp. If they’re limp when you add the garlic, they’ll end up overcooked and mushy by the time you add the bacon.
    • If you prefer firmer green beans, sautee for closer to 4 minutes instead of 6.

    What Kind of Bacon Should I Use?

    Both thick cut and regular bacon work. For thick-cut bacon, cut into into a 1″ dice. For regular bacon, cut into ½″ thick strips – they’ll hold their shape better.

    What’s the Easiest Way to Cut Bacon?

    If you’ve ever tried to slice bacon with a chef’s knife, you know it’s not exactly an “easy breezy” process. Use kitchen shears! It makes for quick, efficient work.

    A serving bowl of green beans and bacon with a silver serving fork on a cement background with a grey linen napkin.

    Did you make these bacon green beans? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    From above, green beans with bacon and garlic in a serving bowl.

    20-Minute Green Beans with Bacon and Garlic

    5 from 6 votes
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Pan-seared green beans with bacon and garlic is the perfect quick and easy side dish for everything. Fast enough for weeknight dinners, and crowd-pleasing enough for celebrations like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. This recipe is so fast, so flavorful, and SO EASY. Plus it's got bacon – what more could you want in a side dish?!?
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 20 mins
    Servings : 4 as a side dish
    Calories: 100

    Recommended Equipment

    • 12″ Skillet
    • Wood Spoon
    • Slotted Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 6 slices bacon, diced
    • 1 lb green beans, ends trimmed
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
    • sea or kosher salt, to taste, if needed

    Instructions

    • Heat a 12” skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, 6-7 minutes. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon and set aside. Pour all but 2 tbsp bacon from the pan.
    • Rinse the trimmed green beans in a colander. Shake to release most of the moisture, but don't dry completely.
    • Return the pan to medium high heat; wait about 30 seconds for the bacon grease to heat up again. Add the green beans and toss to coat in the fat. Cover and saute the green beans, stirring occasionally, until charred and just about bite tender, about 6 minutes.
    • Add garlic and saute, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Return the bacon to the skillet and saute, stirring frequently, for a further minute.
    • Remove from heat. Add the cracked black pepper and toss. Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed.

    Notes

    • Use sugar free, nitrite/nitrate-free bacon to keep it paleo and Whole30 compliant
    • Rinse the green beans and shake to dry, but don’t dry completely – the residual water clinging to the green beans will help them steam while heat sautés them. 
    • Be sure to drain excess bacon fat, leaving just a thin layer, to prevent overly greasy green beans. 
    • If you prefer firmer green beans, sautee for about 4 minutes in Step 4, instead of 6.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 100kcal (5%), Carbohydrates: 9g (3%), Protein: 6g (12%), Fat: 6g (9%), Saturated Fat: 2g (10%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 11mg (4%), Sodium: 247mg (10%), Potassium: 315mg (9%), Fiber: 3g (12%), Sugar: 4g (4%), Vitamin A: 40% (40%), Vitamin C: 15% (15%), Calcium: 49% (49%), Iron: 3% (3%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    9 Comments
    Filed Under: Fall Recipes, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Holiday Recipes, Paleo, Side Dishes, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Whole30 Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DAVID W SMITH

      August 31, 2020 at 4:18 pm

      This is great I didnt have garlic the last time will try it sure it will be good

      Reply
    2. Jen

      November 22, 2020 at 9:35 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I made for Thanksgiving and added diced shallots. No one in this family ever wants to “waste stomach space” on veggies but the smell of these overrode their trepidation and they gobbled up the first helping them went back for seconds. Will make them all the time.

      Reply
      • Danielle

        November 23, 2020 at 9:47 am

        Ha! I know that sentiment well, so I’m glad these were such a hit. Bacon helps 😀

        Reply
    3. Kathy

      January 25, 2021 at 11:45 am

      Can these be made a day ahead or made early morning? If so how do you suggest reheating?

      Reply
    4. Diane

      July 31, 2021 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      This was really good! I like my green beans cooked soft instead of crisp, so I just cooked them a little longer (10 minutes) before adding the garlic. I also added about 1 1/2 teaspoons butter when I added the garlic. I will definitely add this to my favorites!

      Reply
    5. Sandy

      September 28, 2021 at 3:46 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy and easy to make!

      Reply
    6. Nancy B

      January 28, 2023 at 7:21 pm

      Always looking for new recipes and this was an easy one to make And enjoy as well. Will definitely make this again.

      Reply

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      February 10, 2020 at 8:51 pm

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    2. Instant Pot Corn Chowder | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      August 13, 2020 at 9:01 am

      […] summer vegetables. Serve with a simple tossed salad or a quick and complementary side dish like green beans with bacon or tomato […]

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