Description
Green Beans with Bacon – a simple and delicious green beans with bacon recipe that is the perfect side dish for any meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices thick cut bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2–3 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- (optional) 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more to taste
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add bacon and move around pan until fully cooked, approx. 5-6 minutes (total cook time will depend how crispy or not you prefer your bacon).
- Remove with slotted spoon and place on a paper-towel lined plate; set aside.
- Leave approx. 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest.
- Setting the same skillet to medium heat, add the garlic and move around pan until fragrant. Increase heat to medium-high and add green beans. Let green beans cook approx. 8-10 minutes *or until they have reached your desired firmness* tossing them quite often. Test along the way as some people prefer a more crisp green bean, while others like them quite soft – taste and continue cooking and moving around the pan until they reach this point.
- Add lemon zest, red pepper flakes (if using) and the bacon. Toss to combine.
- Taste and add kosher salt and/or ground black pepper, as desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 74
- Sugar: 1.9 g
- Sodium: 197.3 mg
- Fat: 4.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.7 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 11.4 mg