This Green Bean Salad with Bacon recipe showcases sautéed green beans infused with garlic, smoky bacon, and cherry tomatoes, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Consider pairing it with my turkey recipe and a simple turkey gravy for Thanksgiving!
Recipe Details
This Green Bean Salad is likely the most flavorful salad I’ve experienced. If bacon is a favorite of yours, you’ll definitely enjoy this dish. Additionally, it’s quite easy to prepare, and the flavors often improve after sitting for a while, allowing them to meld beautifully.
- TASTE: The bacon lends a rich, smoky flavor while the tomatoes bring sweetness, and the green beans offer a delightful garlic taste.
- TEXTURE: Crispy bacon contrasts wonderfully with the juicy tomatoes and the slightly crunchy green beans.
- TIME: This dish can be ready in only 25 minutes.
- EASE: This quick salad requires little prep and maintains its deliciousness the next day.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Bacon – Thick-cut bacon is the best choice for this salad.
- Garlic cloves – Use freshly minced garlic for maximum flavor in this Green Bean Salad.
- Frozen green beans – An excellent option for texture and convenience in the salad.
- Cherry tomatoes – These tomatoes are juicy and sweet, making a perfect complement to the salty bacon.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add feta cheese – Crumbled feta cheese gives a salty, briny taste that enhances the salad.
- Substitute other tomatoes – Feel free to replace cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes.
- Add vinegar – A splash of balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar provides an extra layer of flavor.
- Add Dijon mustard – Mixing Dijon mustard with lemon juice or vinegar creates a tasty dressing.
How to Make Green Bean Salad with Bacon
- Prep the ingredients. Chop the bacon and onion and mince the garlic.
- Cook the bacon. In a large pan, heat olive oil and bacon on high until the bacon becomes golden and crispy.
- Add the onion and garlic. Stir in the onion and garlic, cooking on medium-high until the onion is translucent.
- Add the green beans. Once the onion and garlic are ready, stir in the frozen green beans until they soften.
- Finish with seasonings and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and add the tomatoes. Stir for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat. Serve warm or cold.
Pro Tip: Avoid over-stirring to prevent the tomatoes from becoming mushy.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the bacon until crispy. This keeps the desired texture in the salad.
- Don’t rush the onions. Allowing the onions to cook until translucent draws out their sweetness, enhancing the salad’s flavor.
- Keep the green beans frozen. Using frozen green beans lets them soak up the flavors and maintain the perfect texture.
- Avoid over stirring. Be cautious after adding tomatoes to keep them from becoming mushy.
FAQs
What can you add to canned green beans to enhance their flavor?If you’re using canned green beans in this salad, the combination of smoky bacon, sweet onions, juicy tomatoes, and garlic enhances the dish significantly. Canned or frozen green beans can be just as delicious. This Green Bean Salad with Bacon is versatile and can be enjoyed warm or cold, depending on your preference. It can also be stored in the fridge for later enjoyment.
The salad can be savored throughout the week, complementing a variety of proteins, salads, soups, or side dishes, making it a versatile choice for any meal. It can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to four days. However, freezing this salad is not advisable, as it may compromise the texture of the green beans and tomatoes. If you seek additional delicious Thanksgiving side dishes, consider Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, or Buttermilk Cornbread. The Green Bean Salad with Bacon recipe features sautéed garlicky green beans paired with smoky bacon and cherry tomatoes, sure to delight any gathering.
Diet:Gluten Free Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
25 minutes
Servings:
8 Calories:
204
kcal
Ingredients
-
1
tbsp
olive oil -
10
oz
Bacon
about 1 cup chopped -
1/2
onion
1 cup chopped -
2
garlic cloves
minced -
2
14 oz pkgs. frozen green beans -
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Dice the bacon and onion, then finely chop the garlic.
- In a sizable skillet, heat olive oil and bacon over high heat for approximately 4 minutes or until the bacon turns golden and slightly crispy.
- Incorporate the onion and garlic, cooking over medium high heat until the onion becomes translucent.
- Introduce the frozen green beans and stir until they become tender, which should take around 5-6 minutes.
- Mix in the salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Stir for another 2-3 minutes before removing from heat. Be cautious not to stir excessively, as over-stirring can lead to mushy tomatoes.
Nutrition
Calories:
204
kcal
