A tasty vegetable side dish that goes well with a variety of main dish entrees, these buttery pan-fried Garlic Green Beans with Bacon are also extremely easy and fast to make!
Garlic Green Beans Recipe
My family loves green beans any way you make them, but this is one of the favorites! It's deliciously rich with the sauteed garlic, butter, and a splash of broth while cooking.
Plus I like to top the green beans (string beans) with bacon. The bacon is completely optional, of course, but bacon and green beans really go together.
The bacon adds time to the overall cooking, so for an ever quicker sauteed green beans recipe, the bacon can totally be left out. No one really complains when you dish up this go-to veggie with dinner!
This versatile side dish combines perfectly with beef, pork, chicken, and seafood as well as many potato or rice side dishes for a wonderful meal!
My recipe for Garlic Green Beans only calls for a few simple ingredients, including the fresh green beans (string beans), bacon, butter, garlic, broth (or water), and seasoning with some salt and pepper to taste.
How To Prepare Fresh Green Beans (String Beans)
Most of the time when you buy fresh green beans at your local grocery store, they are the string-less variety. This makes them quick and easy to prepare! If they have any portion of the stem, cut the stem and tip off of the green bean using a knife or scissors.
If you have heirloom string beans, the tip can be 'snapped' back. Pulling it away will pull the 'string' (or vascular tissue) that runs down the length of the green beans on the seam of the pod.
Once your green beans are trimmed, rinse in cold water. If you're worried about pesticide residue: soak your green beans (or any produce) for 10-15 minutes, rinse, then dry before storing or using.
Fresh green beans should be stored in a plastic bag, in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. They will store in this manner for up to 7 days. Make sure your green beans are crisp, not limp, before cooking.
How To Make Garlic Green Beans
Bring a large skillet or frying pan to medium-high heat and cook the cut bacon until beginning to crisp, about 5-8 minutes. Reduce to medium heat, add the butter and garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
Add the green beans and cook covered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the green beans have reached your preferred level of tenderness. Add optional salt and pepper, to taste, before serving. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
*Strain the bacon grease out, if desired, before adding the remaining ingredients. Or, omit the butter and just use the bacon grease to cook the green beans in.
**If you opt to skip the bacon, you can use coconut or olive oil to sauté the green beans.
***Cook uncovered for the last few minutes to evaporate any remaining liquid if needed.
Serve your sauteed garlic green beans (topped with bacon or not) with proteins like baked chicken breasts, balsamic chicken thighs, baked pork chops, or pan seared ribeye for a super easy, delicious meal!
Healthy Notes: Green beans are a wonderful, nutritious vegetable that is high in fiber and naturally low in carbohydrates. This recipe, as made, fits into a keto, low carb, or gluten-free diet lifestyle. Omitting the butter makes this recipe dairy-free and paleo. For whole 30, use clarified butter or ghee and omit the bacon or use one of the whole30 approved brands ( like Applegate Organics, Garrett Valley All Natural, Maverick Ranch Natural, Thrive Market, or Trader Joe's ).
Do I Have To Blanch Green Beans Before Cooking or Sautéing?
Definitely not! If you like your green bean recipes to turn out with the beans being crispy rather than slightly softened or tender, it is a cooking method that you could use to achieve your desired crispy garlic green beans. The directions for blanching fresh or frozen green beans are included below for your convenience.
To Blanch Your Green Beans
Start with a large pot (large enough to hold your portion of green beans), fill with enough water to cover your beans. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook until bright green (about 2-3 minutes).
Prepare an ice bath while boiling the green beans: Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice.
Next, drain the green beans and transfer immediately into the ice bath. Allow the blanched green beans to chill for about 5 minutes before cooking as directed below.
Garlic Green Beans with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 strips bacon (cut into ½ inch wide pieces)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ tablespoon garlic (finely minced)
- 2 lbs green beans (rinsed and drained)
- ¼ c broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable depending on your main dish - use more as needed)
- each, salt & pepper (to taste, optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large skillet or frying pan to medium high heat and cook the cut bacon until beginning to crisp, about 5-8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter and garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.2 strips bacon, 2 tablespoon butter, ½ tablespoon garlic
- Add the green beans and broth then cook covered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the green beans are your preferred level of tenderness. Add (optional) salt & pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.2 lbs green beans, ¼ c broth, each, salt & pepper
Notes
**If you opt to skip the bacon, you can use coconut or olive oil to sauté the green beans.
***Cook uncovered for the last few minutes to evaporate any remaining liquid, if needed.
Healthy Notes: Green beans are a wonderful, nutritious vegetable that are high in fiber and naturally low in carbohydrates. This recipe, as made, fits in to a keto, low carb or gluten free diet lifestyle. Omitting the butter makes this recipe dairy free and paleo. For whole 30, use clarified butter or ghee and omit the bacon or use one of the whole30 approved brands (like Applegate Organics, Garrett Valley All Natural, Maverick Ranch Natural, Thrive Market or Trader Joe's).
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
Leslie says
Can I use fresh green beans?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes indeed, the recipe is intended for using fresh green beans. Enjoy!
Geja Wolf says
Hallo, een vraag: wat voor spek kan ik gebruiken en wanneer moet ik bouillon erbij doen, dat staat volgens mij nergens.
Ik ben een beginnende kookster.
Hello, a question: what kind of bacon can I use and when should I add broth, I don't think it says anywhere.
I am a novice cook.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Elk spek dat je lekker vindt, stel ik voor met gerookt spek. Voeg de bouillon met de sperziebonen toe nadat het spek gaar is en de knoflook is gebakken. Genieten van!
Any bacon you like I suggest smokey flavored bacon. Add the broth with the green beans after the bacon is cooked and the garlic has been sauteed. Enjoy!
Mitch says
Going to make this tomorrow night...recipe doesn't say when to use the broth in the preparation process. I'm assuming you add it with the green beans, right?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes! Exactly, sorry about that. I'll add it here shortly in the recipe card 🙂 You can either sear the green beans for 2-3 minutes and add the broth, which is my preferred method. Or add the broth with the green beans. Thanks for catching that!