Description
These Southern-style crack green beans are addictive with their savory, slightly sweet, and smoky flavor. They make a perfect side dish for any occasion, from family dinners to holiday feasts.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
- In the same pan with the bacon grease, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the green beans to the pan and sauté with the onions and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well until the green beans are coated evenly.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the green beans simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender but still slightly crisp, stirring occasionally.
- Once the green beans are cooked to your desired tenderness, uncover the pan and stir in the crispy bacon pieces.
- Taste the green beans and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness of the dish by adding more or less brown sugar according to your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, you can omit the bacon and use olive oil or butter for sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sauté, Simmer
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Green beans, Southern, Side dish, Bacon, Savory, Sweet, Smoky, Easy