Prepare to revolutionize your side dish game with the most mouthwatering green beans you'll ever taste! Imagine crispy bacon, caramelized brown sugar, and perfectly tender green beans dancing together in one incredible skillet. This Brown Sugar and Bacon Green Beans recipe is about to become your new secret weapon for transforming ordinary vegetables into an irresistible crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you're hosting a family dinner or looking to elevate your weeknight meal, these green beans are guaranteed to steal the show!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Wash the fresh green beans thoroughly under cold running water. Trim the ends of the beans and cut them into roughly 2-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it becomes crispy and renders its fat, approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the crispy bacon pieces from the skillet and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- In the same skillet with remaining bacon fat, add the trimmed green beans. Sauté the beans for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure they become tender-crisp and slightly blistered.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until the brown sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the brown sugar and soy sauce mixture over the green beans in the skillet. Stir to coat the beans evenly and allow the sauce to caramelize slightly, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Return the crispy bacon pieces to the skillet and toss with the green beans to distribute evenly.
- Remove from heat and transfer the green beans to a serving dish. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the sweet and savory combination of flavors.
Tips
- • For the crispiest bacon, start with a cold skillet and cook slowly over medium heat • Make sure to pat your green beans dry before cooking to ensure they get a nice sear • Don't overcrowd the skillet - this helps the beans caramelize instead of steam • Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor • For extra depth, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the brown sugar sauce • If you prefer crispier beans, increase the sauté time by 1-2 minutes • Save a bit of bacon grease for an extra flavor boost when sautéing the beans • Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of crispy bacon and glossy, caramelized beans
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 10mg
