Green Beans with Garlic, Bacon, and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 1½ poundsgreen beans
- 4 slicesbacon
- 4 clovesgarlic
- ½ cuppanko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoonsolive oil
- ·kosher salt
- ·black pepper
- 1lemon
Prep
- 01
Trim the ends from 1.5 pounds green beans.
- 02
Mince 4 cloves garlic.
Method
- 01
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel and crumble into bite-size pieces.
- 02
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the skillet. Add panko breadcrumbs and toast over medium heat, stirring often, until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and set aside.
- 03
Add olive oil to the skillet. Add minced garlic and cook over medium-high heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 04
Add green beans and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until tender and lightly browned in spots. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 05
Toss green beans with crumbled bacon and toasted breadcrumbs. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and serve warm.
Spice Tips
For subtle heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic. A touch of smoked paprika in the breadcrumb toast adds depth. Fresh thyme or a grating of Parmesan also work beautifully as a finish.
The recipe eats cozy and hearty despite being ready in under 25 minutes. Breadcrumbs add textural contrast and richness that elevates simple green beans into something craveable. Leftovers reheat gently in a warm skillet.