Description
Savory crack green beans delights taste buds with a perfect blend of crispy bacon, garlic, and seasonings. Crisp texture and bold flavors make this side dish an irresistible companion to any main course you’ll want to serve again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 4 cups (0.95 L) green beans, fresh or frozen (trimmed)
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (118 mL) cheddar cheese, shredded (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) parsley, freshly chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat until golden, then remove pieces while reserving two tablespoons of rendered fat.
- Aromatic Base: Melt butter into bacon drippings, infusing with garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Toast aromatics until fragrant and slightly translucent, releasing their nuanced flavors.
- Bean Transformation: Introduce green beans to the seasoned skillet, thoroughly coating each pod with herbed butter mixture. Sauté vegetables for 6-7 minutes, cultivating a vibrant emerald color and maintaining a delicate crispness.
- Flavor Enhancement: Cascade soy sauce across beans, creating a savory glaze. Sprinkle cheddar cheese to develop a rich, melted coating that embraces each green bean with creamy complexity.
- Final Flourish: Scatter crispy bacon fragments across the top, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous brightness. Serve immediately while piping hot to preserve optimal texture and temperature.
Notes
- Choose High-Quality Bacon: Select thick-cut, high-quality bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture that enhances the overall dish’s richness.
- Control Bean Crispness: Watch cooking time carefully to maintain green beans’ bright emerald color and delicate crunch; avoid overcooking to prevent soggy, lifeless vegetables.
- Manage Fat Ratio: Balance bacon fat and butter to create a perfect flavor base without making the dish excessively greasy or heavy.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap bacon with turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives for lighter versions; use dairy-free cheese for lactose-intolerant individuals or vegan adaptations.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg