This recipe for Green Bean Salad with Bacon features sauteed green beans with garlicky flavor, smoky bacon, and cherry tomatoes. It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Pair it with my Thanksgiving turkey recipe and easy turkey gravy!
Recipe Details
This Green Bean Salad is probably the most flavorful salad I’ve ever had. If you’re a fan of bacon, you’ll surely love this salad. Plus, it’s low maintenance. In fact, it might even taste better after sitting for a while, allowing the flavors to blend together even more.
- TASTE: The bacon provides a bold, smoky flavor to this Green Bean Salad, while the tomatoes add sweetness and the green beans carry a perfect garlic taste.
- TEXTURE: The crisp bacon provides a nice contrast to the juicy tomatoes and slightly crunchy green beans.
- TIME: It only takes 25 minutes to make.
- EASE: This quick salad requires minimal prep work and still tastes amazing the next day.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Bacon– It’s best to use thick-cut bacon for this salad.
- Garlic cloves– Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor for this Green Bean Salad.
- Frozen green beans- These offer the perfect texture for the salad and are a convenient choice.
- Cherry tomatoes– This type of tomato is very juicy and sweet, providing a perfect counterpoint to the salty bacon.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add feta cheese- Adding feta cheese brings a salty, briny flavor to the salad that’s delicious. Choose a block of whole feta cheese to crumble for the best flavor.
- Substitute other tomatoes- You can use grape tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes in place of cherry tomatoes.
- Add vinegar- Balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar can be added for an extra dimension of flavor.
- Add Dijon mustard- Combining tangy Dijon mustard with lemon juice or vinegar creates a flavorful 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, cook olive oil and bacon over high heat until the bacon is golden and slightly crispy.
- Add the onion and garlic. Add the onion and garlic, and cook on medium-high heat until the onion becomes translucent.
- Toss in the green beans. Add the frozen green beans and stir until they soften.
- Finish with the seasonings and tomatoes. Add the salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Stir for another 2-3 minutes and remove from heat. Serve.
Pro Tip: Avoid over-stirring, as it can cause the tomatoes to become mushy.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the bacon until crispy- Ensure the bacon is crispy to maintain the desired texture in the salad.
- Don’t rush the onions- Cooking onions until translucent allows their sweet flavor to emerge, enhancing the Green Bean Salad.
- Don’t defrost the green beans- Leaving the green beans frozen helps them absorb the flavors of the other ingredients and achieve the right texture.
- Don’t over stir the salad- Be careful not to over-stir after adding the tomatoes to prevent them from becoming mushy.
FAQs
If you used canned green beans in this recipe, the smoky bacon, sweet onion, juicy tomatoes, and garlic really make the dish. Canned or frozen green beans taste greatThis Green Bean Salad with Bacon is a versatile dish that you can choose to serve hot or cold, depending on your preference. It can be refrigerated and enjoyed throughout the week. The salad pairs well with different proteins, other salads, soups, or dinner sides, making it a great addition to any meal. You can make this salad in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. However, it is not recommended to freeze this salad as it may affect the texture of the tomatoes and green beans. If you’re looking for more tasty Thanksgiving side dishes, consider options like Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, or Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe. The Green Bean Salad with Bacon recipe features sauteed garlicky green beans with smoky bacon and cherry tomatoes and is guaranteed to please any crowd.
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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
- 1 10 oz tub cherry tomatoes
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Instructions
- Chop the bacon and onion, then mince the garlic.
- In a large pan, cook olive oil and bacon over high heat for about 4 minutes or until the bacon is golden and slightly crispy.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook on medium high heat until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the frozen green beans and stir until they soften, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Stir for another 2-3 minutes and remove from heat. Don’t over stir, stirring too much will cause the tomatoes to become mushy.
Nutrition
Calories:
204
kcal
