A sweet and savory twist to traditional green beans with the addition of crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a buttery brown sugar glaze. This easy side dish is perfect for holiday dinners, Thanksgiving or as a crowd pleasing side dish.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: bacon green beans, brown sugar bacon green beans, brown sugar green beans
Servings: 6
Author: Modern Honey® - www.modernhoney.com
Ingredients
6slicesBacon(cooked until crispy)
2lbs.Fresh Green Beans
3TablespoonsButter
1/2Onion(finely diced)
2Garlic Cloves(minced)
1/4 to 1/2cupBrown Sugar(depending on sweetness preference)
1teaspoonPepper
1/2 to 1teaspoonSalt
Instructions
Blanch the Green Beans. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the trimmed green beans. Boil for 2-4 minutes until they are bright green and crisp-tender. Boil under the beans are fork tender but not soggy. Drain and immediately transfer the green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and keep their vibrant color. Once cooled, drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 4-5 minutes on each side, depending on how crispy you like your bacon. I like my bacon to be crispy so I usually cook a little longer. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet. Cut into bite-size pieces.
Sauté the Onions and Garlic. To the skillet with bacon grease, add the butter and let it melt over medium heat.Add the chopped onion and sauté until it’s soft and golden brown, about 9-12 minutes.Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes
Add Green Beans, Bacon, and Brown Sugar. Add the blanched green beans and cooked bacon to the skillet, tossing them with the onions and garlic. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top and stir until the green beans are well-coated and the sugar has melted into a glaze, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and Keep Warm. Transfer the green beans to a serving dish. To keep them warm, cover them with foil and keep in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve.
Notes
How Do I Trim Fresh Green Beans? Trimming green beans is easy. Simply line up a small bunch, trim off the stem end, and repeat with the remaining beans. For an even faster method, try snapping off the ends by hand.2. Can I Use Frozen Green Beans? Yes! To use frozen green beans, allow them to thaw and pat them dry before cooking. This will prevent extra moisture in the skillet and ensure they cook evenly.3. How Do I Keep Green Beans Warm for Serving? To keep them warm, place the green beans in a 200 degree oven, covered with foil. This will keep them warm without overcooking them. Another option is to place them in a slow cooker on the warm setting if serving buffet-style or for Thanksgiving.4. Can I Use Pre-Cooked Bacon? Yes! Pre-cooked bacon can save time. Just chop it and add it to the skillet with the onions and garlic to let it warm up and combine with the flavors.