Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots is salty and crunchy with an out-of-this-world delicious twist. This classic side dish is done in under 15 minutes!
If you're going to eat green beans, they should be cooked with bacon (unless you're a vegetarian, obvi).
That's my lil' kitchen rule, and I'm stickin' to it!
Have you ever had green beans with bacon? Oh my word, it's the BEST (and I argue: only) way to enjoy these fresh, vibrant, beautiful veggies.
What makes Green Beans with Bacon so special?
The bacon adds this beautiful salty, crunchy, sinfully delicious layer to the sweet, healthy green beans. They're tossed together with shallots and coated with melted butter, creating a well-balanced savory side dish.
SO good!
And, it's a simple side dish that is easy to make. It only takes 15 minutes!
Tools and Equipment
To make this Green Beans with Bacon recipe, you'll need:
Skillet or sauté pan - to crisp the bacon, and cook the green beans and shallots.
Spoon/Spatula - use a wooden spoon or heatproof silicone spatula to sauté the ingredients in the pan.
Ingredients
Green Beans - Start with fresh green beans. If you can't find fresh green beans, you can definitely use frozen green beans. Frozen vegetables are picked at their ripest in season and flash frozen. So frozen is the next best option to fresh.
Unsalted Butter - You'll also want to use a high quality butter. I use Tillamook Unsalted Butter when I can, because it's local (Oregon). And, it's made with 81% fat, which adds a rich, silky buttery flavor.
Shallots - add an elegant undertone of acidic, slightly sweet flavor. While shallots are a member of the allium family, they add aromatics similar to garlic. They are milder than standard onions, however, so that's why I love them in this dish.
Shallots can be found in most grocery stores right next to the onions and garlic. However, if you can't find any or they are too expensive, you can use a mix of yellow onions and garlic.
Bacon - Finally, you need some really good bacon. Choose a bacon that has a decent amount of fat. Avoid turkey bacon – it just won't sauté the same way or give this dish the bacon-y goodness it's meant to have.
How to make green beans with bacon
Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shallots and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until softened.
Then add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the green beans, and toss to coat with the other ingredients. Cook for 3-5 minutes, constantly moving around the ingredients to evenly cook. Once the green beans have cooked to your preferred doneness, turn off the heat. Plate, and serve immediately.
Recipe FAQs
Using fresh green beans will give you the most vibrant flavors, but if you can't find fresh ones, you can definitely use frozen green beans. Frozen vegetables are picked at their ripest in season and flash frozen. So frozen is the next best option to fresh.
A quick way to check for freshness it to bend one of them. Fresh beans will end produce a clean snap. If they bend but don't snap, they aren't as fresh. Also, look for ones that are bright green in color.
Yes, you can prep shallots ahead of time. They should stay good for about a week in the fridge.
What to serve with green beans with bacon
This delicious side dish is great for holidays. It's a beautiful addition to the Thanksgiving table, Christmas, and Easter. It's also a fantastic easy side dish to serve with almost any dinner.
Some main dishes that go well with green beans:
More side dish recipes
Green Beans with Bacon
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 6-8 slices bacon, chopped into small pieces
- 1 pound green beans
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the shallots, and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until softened.
- Add the bacon and cook to desired crispness, about 3-4 minutes
- Add the green beans, toss together until coated and cook for 3-5 minutes until green beans are softened. Remove from heat, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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Anjali says
Green beans are one of my favorite side dishes and I love this fun twist on the classic recipe! This is going on my holiday menu for sure!
Adrianne says
What a great easy delicious sounding side dish!! I love bacon and definitely approve of the bacon and bean combo. Can't wait to try this out. YUM!!
Adrianne says
What a great easy delicious sounding side dish!! I love bacon and definitely approve of the bacon and bean combo. Can't wait to try this out.
Beth says
This looks so delicious and flavorful with the bacon! I can't wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this!
Brianna says
What a great wat to elevate one of my favorite veggies!
Noelle Simpson says
I loved this! Such a simple side dish, making again soon!