Description
A quick and easy Southern-inspired recipe featuring fresh green beans cooked with crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar, and savory spices. This comforting side dish is perfect for adding a flavorful twist to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 medium onion, diced
Meat
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Dry Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste
Liquids
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté the onion: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook until the onion is translucent and soft, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add spices and sugar: Stir in the brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper with the onions. Cook for another 2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant.
- Toss in green beans: Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly in the onion and sugar mixture.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the chicken broth if using, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook until the green beans are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Combine bacon and finish cooking: Once green beans are cooked to your desired tenderness, return the cooked bacon to the skillet. Stir well to combine and heat through for about 2 minutes.
- Season and serve: Season with salt to taste, give everything a final stir, and serve hot as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- If you prefer crisper green beans, reduce simmering time slightly.
- You can adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of brown sugar.
- Leftover green beans are great reheated and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar after cooking can add a nice tangy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Southern green beans, bacon green beans, easy green bean recipe, quick side dish, Southern cooking
