Green beans with bacon is an easy-to-make side dish, loaded with flavor! The secret to the delicious flavor begins with crisply cooked bacon and tender green beans, while a tangy mayo-based vinaigrette tops them off.
Before I share my kick-off recipe to #baconmonth 2013, for green beans with bacon, I thought I should set some ground rules. Now please understand that I’m not setting rules because I’m bossy, and it’s definitely not because I think you’re unruly. It’s just that, well, we’re talking about bacon. It’s important that we all understand the importance. Know what I mean?
Do you have a clear understanding of the rules of bacon? Awesomesauce! Let’s carry on.
I learned how to make this recipe in one of my culinary rotation classes. I believe it was “Modern Vegetable Preparation”. I never did understand that title. What exactly is the difference between a modern vegetable and an old fashioned vegetable? Well, besides 3 decades worth of mold growth. My instructor never did explain it, and frankly, it doesn’t matter to me. They can label this side dish with any category and I’ll still call it yummi!
That being said, I vividly recall the day we prepared this dish. Chef Gary looked deliriously overjoyed just explaining the dish. As I glanced down at the ingredient list, I could understand his excitement.
Fresh green beans, chopped onions, bacon…all great stuff. Then I saw something that just didn’t seem right to me. Mayonnaise. On a sandwich, I dig it. But warm mayo? Umm… A queer looking grimace came across my face, causing Chef to toss me a “Don’t knock it ’til you try it” line. Okie dokie, Chef G. (thank goodness we didn’t have to holler “YES CHEF!” in Hell’s Kitchen style all day long).
So, as the green beans were steaming, I tossed together a mayo vinaigrette dressing. The addition of sugar is what really takes this dish to a new, dare I say MODERN, level. The dressing has the perfect blend of salty, sweet, and tangy. Paired with crispy, fresh green beans, it really is something that I think you’ll fall head over heels for!
The obvious reason for my affection with this dish is the inclusion of bacon. It’s a no brainer. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… EVERYTHING tastes better with bacon. ‘Nuff said.
I’m also crazy about this green beans with bacon recipe because it can be made in less than 5 minutes. Seriously, could it be any easier or faster to fix and put onto your table? I suppose if you like your bacon uber crispy, a/k/a burned to a crisp, it might take you 10 minutes of cooking time, but you’re still looking at some serious time savings here.
Please try the green beans with bacon, then come back and leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts on it!
Green Beans with Bacon
Crisply steamed green beans are combined with bacon and onions, then tossed with a mayo vinaigrette dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons finely diced onion
- 2 tablespoons white sugar (sugar alternatives or honey may be substituted)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (plain yogurt may be substituted)
Instructions
- Use kitchen shears or a knife to cut the bacon into pieces, about 1/2 inch wide. Place bacon into a frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until crispy, but not burned. Leave bacon grease in the pan and remove bacon from pan; drain on paper toweling.
- While bacon is cooking, steam cook the green beans for 3 minutes, leaving them crisp and slightly crunchy.
- Add onion to pan and cook over medium heat, just until softened, 1-2 minutes. Stir in sugar, vinegar, and mayo, then add green beans and bacon and stir to combine. Make sure to coat all of the beans with dressing.
Nutrition
More delicious bacon-loaded recipes:
Chipotle Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball
Warm Cheesy Spinach Dip with Bacon {Lower Fat, Low Carb}
Check out the other great bacon recipes being made for #baconmonth!
Tatiana says
because, bacon! love the rules. I recently, at my 25 years of age, got introduced to green beans and I love them! definitely trying this soon!
Kristen Jeffery says
You cannot go wrong with green beans and bacon right???? Welcome to Social Fabric!
Becca Heflin says
Unless the consumer is against eating bacon, your answer is dead on accurate, Kristen! 🙂
Thanks for the warm welcome to SoFab #cbias!
Kalamity Kelli says
Oh yeah – green beans just aren’t green beans without bacon! In fact, once I made them without and my daughter thought something was wrong with them! Love the recipe because I’ve never put mayo in it but I’m sure willing to!