Easy Sauteed Green Beans with Bacon is a delicious side dish and a healthier way to cook fresh green beans. Perfect for holiday dinners or every day!
Easy sauteed green beans with bacon is a delicious way to to cook fresh green beans. It's a super simple recipe, but it gets dressed up with Parmesan cheese and BACON!
If you're looking for an easy, healthy holiday side dish recipe, you'll love these delicious pan fried green beans!
We used to always have traditional green bean casserole on the table at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but honestly, I was never a huge fan. Yes, I admit it! So when I started hosting holiday dinners, I decided to shake things up a little, and the casserole was one of the first things to go.
Besides, I like to think that by serving lighter side dishes, I'll have more room for dessert, which is probably my favorite part of the meal! And by cooking the green beans on the stove, you'll have one less dish to bake.
How to Saute Fresh Green Beans without Blanching
I usually buy a bag of fresh green beans from the store and prep them right before it's time to cook them. They usually don't take a lot of prep work other than a good rinsing, but sometimes, there are still a few stems attached, and of course, you want to get rid of those.
Just heat up some olive oil and butter in a skillet. Cook the beans until they're crisp tender -- just slightly soft.
Add some salt and pepper, to taste. When the beans are just about done, add a little cooked bacon and a little Parm at the end.
I usually cook enough bacon over the weekend so that we'll have leftovers to chop up into the beans. If you don't have leftover bacon, make bacon in your air fryer and use that!
It only takes a few minutes before they're ready to go. Some get a little softer, and some are a little brown and crispy, but they're all good!
Right before serving, I sometimes like to add a little lemon juice just for some extra freshness. You can skip the lemon juice if you want or even add a splash of white wine for the holidays!
And that's all there is to cooking fresh green beans on the stove. It's quick, easy and so good!
Recipe
Easy Sauteed Green Beans with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 pounds fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup cooked bacon, chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the green beans, sea salt and pepper, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently or until beans are slightly soft. Add more butter or olive oil, if necessary
- Add cooked bacon, and cook until heated through
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice, if desired
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
Recipe last updated in 2020
More Easy Side Dish Recipes?
- Sauteed Asparagus
- Stove Top Candied Yams
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Corn Casserole
- Easy Air fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Broccoli
Jim says
Made these for Thanksgiving and again last night for dinner. Awesome recipe and easy too.
Dee says
Thanks, Jim! I'm so glad you liked the recipe!
eat good 4 life says
The greatest, healthiest side dish for the holidays.
Des says
I bet that I could get my kiddos to eat their veggies this way.
Jacque Hastert says
This would be a perfect Thanksgiving side dish.
Mahy Elamin says
I adore green beans. I can eat it every day. This is a really great idea. It's easy and tasty is what I love. You are a genius! I want to try your recipe.
Melanie Bauer says
Looks fabulous! So simple but definitely tasty and delicious, can't wait to make this!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Melanie. I hope you like it! 🙂
Allison says
I'd choose this over green bean casserole any day! Everything is better with bacon!
Dee says
Definitely! Thank you so much, Allison!
Treat and Trick says
Simple yet so good!
Anonymous says
I'm doing this w/asparagus....can't wait....
Unknown says
Oh yes, this is a much better idea than the casserole! I'm on it....thanks for the great idea.
Miz Helen says
Your Green Beans look awesome and will be featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Wishing you and your family a bountiful Thanksgiving and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Hope to see you again soon!
Miz Helen