There's nothing quite like the perfect side dish to complement your main course, and our Garlicky Green Beans are just that.
This easy sautéed green beans recipe will take your everyday green beans to a whole new level. The combination of crisp, tender beans, smoky bacon, and fragrant garlic creates a symphony of flavours that will have you reaching for seconds.
And the best part? It's an incredibly simple recipe, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation time.
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Our garlic green beans are not only delicious but also versatile. Whether it's a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these beans fit right in.
They are the perfect texture, with a beautiful green colour, making them a visually appealing addition to any plate. If you love garlic and want a fresh take on traditional green beans, then this recipe is definitely for you.
How to cook garlic and bacon green beans
We've put together a quick video for you, showcasing the simple steps involved in making these delectable garlicky green beans.
It's a straightforward process that transforms fresh green beans into a gourmet side dish.
If you're eager to get started, feel free to jump straight to the recipe card.However, if you want to learn more about the process and ingredients, keep reading.
Equipment
Before diving into the cooking process, let's discuss the equipment you'll need to make garlic green beans with bacon. Having the right tools at hand can make your cooking experience much smoother.
For this recipe, you'll need:
- Steamer or a saucepan
Ingredients
Our green beans recipe relies on simple, fresh ingredients for maximum flavour. Here's what you'll need:
- 220 grams Green Beans
- 5 slices Bacon smoked/unsmoked
- 25 g Unsalted butter
- 2 cloves Garlic
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- ½ Lemon
Green Beans
Green beans, also known as French beans, fine beans or string beans are the stars of our dish.
We recommend using fresh green beans for the best taste, texture and beautiful green color. Avoid any with brown spots.
You could use finely sliced runner beans (stringless varieties), mangetout or sugar snap peas instead.
If you can't find fresh beans, frozen green beans are a suitable substitute.
Bacon
We use smoked bacon for that extra depth of flavour. However, unsmoked bacon works just as well in this recipe.
For extra richness, use bacon lardons instead. For a lower-fat option, use bacon medallions.
Unsalted butter
Butter adds a creamy richness to the sauteed green beans
If you're watching your intake, you can substitute it with olive oil or avocado oil.
Or don't add any extra fats if you are looking to lower fat content. You may need to add some splashes of water to prevent burning.
Garlic
Garlic is key to achieving that garlicky flavour we all love. If you don't have fresh garlic cloves, pre-minced garlic or garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
Or you could use finely minced onion or shallots instead, or as well as garlic.
Lemon
A squeeze of lemon adds a touch of freshness that elevates the overall flavour profile. A splash of vinegar can work if you don't have lemons on hand.
Salt and Pepper
Elevating this garlic green bean recipe is as simple as adding a dash of salt and pepper.
When seasoning with salt, it's essential to remember that the bacon incorporated into this dish already imparts a rich, salty flavour.
Starting with a smaller amount of salt than you might typically use and then adjust to taste. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper
Optional Extras
Looking for some additional seasoning ideas for this garlic green beans recipe? Sprinkle in some chilli flakes, crushed red pepper flakes, or minced fresh chilli for a spicy kick to these sautéed green beans. For a touch of brightness, consider small amount of lemon zest.
Try adding in a dash of soy sauce for an umami twist. Or for a nutty flavour include some chopped walnuts or flaked almonds.
Enhance the final presentation of the dish by sprinkling a dash of fresh or dried thyme, and generously grating some Parmesan cheese.
Instructions
Let's dive into this easy garlic green beans recipe cooking process:
Feel free to jump to the recipe card for the measurements and cooking timesPrepare the ingredients
First, prep all your ingredients. This includes chopping the ends of the fresh green beans and cutting them in half.
Chopping the bacon, dicing the garlic, measuring out the butter, and cutting the lemon.
Cook the green beans
Next, steam or boil the green beans in a large pot of boiling water until they're crisp-tender.
Do not overcook them, as they are going to be sautéed, too. Drain them and let them air dry.
Cook the bacon
In a large frying pan, cook the bacon until it's crispy.
Turn down to medium-low heat, then add the butter and diced garlic, and stir until the garlic is fragrant.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a burst of freshness to your dish.
Combine everything
Finally, add the green beans to the pan. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir all the green beans with garlic and bacon. So everything is combined together.
The sautéed green beans are their best when you serve warm straight from the pan!
Serving Suggestions
Our garlic green beans with bacon pair well with a variety of mains.
More Main Meal Ideas
Explore our other dinner recipes that would be perfectly complemented with garlic green beans. The possibilities are endless, let us know what you serve with this garlic green beans recipe.
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
- Beef and Red Wine Stew with Dumplings
- Oven Braised Lamb Shanks
- Salmon En Croute
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Garlicky Green Beans with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 220 grams Green Beans
- 5 slices Bacon - smoked/unsmoked
- 25 g Unsalted butter
- 2 cloves Garlic
- Salt - to taste
- Pepper - to taste
- ½ Lemon
Instructions
- Prepare all the ingredients first. Roughly chop 5 slices Bacon Cut ½ LemonMeasure out 25 g Unsalted butter
- Chop the ends of the 220 grams Green Beans and then cut them in half.
- Finely dice 2 cloves Garlic.
- First, let's cook the green beans. You can steam them for about 6 minutes or boil them in boiling water for 4 minutes. This ensures they retain their vibrant colour and crunch.
- Once done, leave the beans to air dry.
- Cook your diced bacon in a pan over medium heat until it reaches your preferred level of crispness.
- Now, add some unsalted butter to the same pan. This will mix with the bacon grease, creating a flavourful base for our green beans.
- Add the diced garlic. Stir it around until it becomes fragrant. This should take about a minute.
- Add a squeeze of the lemon.
- Add the cooked green beans to the pan.
- Season with Salt and Pepper according to your taste. The bacon is already quite salty, so go easy on the salt.
- Stir everything together, making sure every bean is coated in the buttery, garlicky, bacony goodness.
- Serve with your favourite mains.
Video
Nutrition
I love how the bright green bean brightens the roast dinner plate.
Storage
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat
To reheat, microwave them or toss them in a sauté pan over medium heat until heated.
Enjoy these delicious garlic green beans as a quick and easy side dish whenever you like! If you like our green bean recipes check out some of our other side dish ideas.
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