Description
A flavorful Green Beans recipe enhanced with crispy bacon, sweet caramelized onions, garlic, bourbon, and a touch of brown sugar. This savory side dish offers a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy notes, ideal for elevating your meal with a satisfying crunch and vibrant green beans cooked to tender crispness.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 4 strips bacon, diced and cooked until crispy
Vegetables
- 1 medium sweet yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 pound green beans, cleaned and ends trimmed
Spices & Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
Liquids & Others
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Cut bacon into ½” pieces and place in a 12-inch skillet. Cook over medium heat until crisp but not burned. Remove bacon from skillet, saving the bacon grease. Set bacon aside as a garnish.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion to the skillet with bacon grease and sauté until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for about 15-30 seconds until it softens and releases its aroma.
- Cook Green Beans and Season: Add green beans, black pepper, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes over medium heat until green beans start to brown slightly.
- Steam Green Beans: Add ¼ cup water to the skillet and cover. Cook for 2 minutes to steam the beans, keeping them bright green and crisp-tender.
- Add Bourbon and Brown Sugar: Uncover and stir in bourbon and dark brown sugar. Cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until the beans are barely crisp and the mixture is caramelized.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the green beans and add additional salt if necessary to your preference.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the cooked green beans with the reserved crispy bacon pieces and serve immediately.
- Enjoy: Relish this savory and sweet green beans side dish that complements any main course.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans and trim the ends for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of bourbon and brown sugar to taste if you prefer a less sweet or less boozy flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes slightly.
- Make sure not to overcook the green beans to maintain their bright color and crisp texture.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute bourbon with apple juice or extra water.
