Keto Green Beans and Bacon: A Deliciously Easy Recipe

These keto green beans and bacon make a popular and easy side dish, perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals. This recipe uses fresh or frozen green beans and simple ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying dish that the whole family will love. This dish is not only delicious but also fits into various dietary lifestyles, including keto, paleo, whole 30, and gluten-free.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of green beans and bacon creates a savory and comforting flavor profile. Bacon adds a smoky richness that complements the fresh taste of green beans. The addition of parmesan cheese (optional) brings a salty and umami element that elevates the dish.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Green Beans: Fresh or frozen whole green beans work well. If using fresh, trim the ends.
• Bacon: All-natural bacon adds a smoky flavor. Look for bacon without nitrites or preservatives. Sugar-free bacon is recommended for keto.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese adds a salty and savory flavor.
• Optional Ingredients: Onion, garlic, chicken broth, butter, soy sauce (or coconut aminos).

Nutritional Benefits

Green beans are a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as folate, vitamin C, and vitamin A. They are also a good source of fiber and protein. According to Self Nutrition Data, 1 cup of raw green beans has 4.1g net carbs, making them a fairly low-carb food suitable for a keto diet.

Simple Keto Green Beans and Bacon Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 lb whole green beans, fresh or frozen
• 5-6 slices all-natural bacon, chopped
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped onion
• Optional: 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Optional: 1/4 cup chicken broth
• Optional: 1 tablespoon butter
• Optional: Soy sauce or coconut aminos to taste
• Grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste (optional, since bacon and parmesan are salty)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Green Beans: Wash fresh green beans and trim the ends. If using frozen green beans, thaw and drain thoroughly. Precook the beans in the microwave for 4-5 minutes. Place the beans in a microwaveable bowl along with a few tablespoons of water. Cover and cook in the microwave. Alternatively, use a microwave vegetable steamer.
2. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
3. Sauté Aromatics (Optional): If using, add chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook until tender. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Cook the Green Beans: Add the precooked green beans to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook until they start to brown and soften, about 4-5 minutes.
5. Combine Ingredients: Crumble the cooked bacon and add it back to the pan with the green beans. Add the sautéed onions and garlic, if using. Mix well to combine.
6. Season (Optional): If desired, season with salt and black pepper to taste. Note that the bacon and parmesan cheese already contain salt, so taste before adding more.
7. Serve: Serve hot, with grated parmesan cheese on the side, if desired.

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe

This recipe is incredibly simple, using only two main ingredients: green beans and bacon. It's perfect for camping or a quick and easy side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 lb whole green beans, fresh or frozen
• 375 g all-natural bacon slices

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Green Beans: Wash fresh green beans and trim the ends. If using frozen, ensure they are whole.
2. Wrap the Beans: Divide the green beans into bundles equal to the number of bacon slices. Wrap each bundle with one slice of bacon, covering as much of the green beans as possible.
3. Cook the Bundles: Arrange the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles in a cooking vessel. At home, a ceramic baking dish with a lid works well. When camping, use foil to create a sealed packet or a lidded cast iron pan.
4. Bake: In a preheated oven at 400ºF, bake the bacon-wrapped green beans for 45 minutes, ensuring they are covered during cooking to steam the green beans in the bacon's moisture.
5. Campfire Cooking: When cooking on a campfire, the timing may vary based on the heat of the fire. Check the green beans after 40 minutes and cook until tender, flipping halfway through.

Cheesy Keto Green Bean Casserole

This keto-friendly twist on a classic dish combines fresh green beans, cheese, bacon, and a creamy sauce.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 lb fresh or frozen green beans
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (mild, medium, or sharp)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Optional: 1/4 cup dry white wine
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Green Beans: If using fresh green beans, blanch them in boiling salted water for 5-7 minutes to prevent them from becoming mushy. Drain thoroughly. If using frozen green beans, thaw and drain them.
2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from the skillet and crumble. Reserve some bacon grease.
3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet with bacon grease, add the heavy cream and dry white wine (optional). Cook until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, combine the green beans, sauce, and most of the shredded cheddar cheese (reserve some for topping). Mix well.
5. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon on top.
6. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the green beans are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon

This recipe offers a quick and easy way to make green beans with bacon in an Instant Pot.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups green beans, fresh or frozen, cut
• 5 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients: Add the chopped bacon, chopped onion, cut green beans, salt, and water to the Instant Pot.
2. Pressure Cook: Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 4 minutes.
3. Release Pressure: Perform a quick pressure release. For softer green beans, increase the cooking time by one minute or allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
4. Serve: Serve hot as a side dish or a keto-friendly meal.

Southern Style Green Beans

This recipe brings a touch of Southern comfort to your table with tender green beans and smoky bacon flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 lb fresh or frozen green beans
• 6 slices sugar-free bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce for added spice

Instructions:

1. Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, reserving some of the bacon grease in the skillet.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Sauté the garlic and onions in the bacon grease until they caramelize. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Boil Green Beans: Add the green beans and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes (10 minutes if using frozen green beans) or until the green beans are completely cooked.
4. Combine Ingredients: Drain the chicken broth. Add the green beans, bacon, butter, and sautéed garlic and onions back into the skillet. Cook until everything is hot and well combined.
5. Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a spicier flavor, add Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.

Tips and Variations

• Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh green beans are preferred, but frozen green beans can be used. Thaw and drain frozen green beans thoroughly before cooking.
• Bacon Grease: Reserve bacon grease for cooking the green beans to add a smoky flavor.
• Cheese: Parmesan cheese is a classic addition, but cheddar, or other cheeses can also be used.
• Seasoning: Adjust seasonings to taste. Soy sauce, coconut aminos, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning can be used to add flavor.
• Make Ahead: The cheesy green bean casserole can be prepared ahead of time up to the point of adding bacon, then refrigerated for 1-2 days before baking.
• Crockpot: This recipe can be adapted for a Crock-Pot. Cook the bacon first, then add all ingredients to the Crock-Pot and cook on high for at least 1 ½ hours.
• Instant Pot: For crunchier green beans in the Instant Pot, cook for 2 minutes under pressure.

Serving Suggestions

Keto green beans and bacon make a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses, including:

• Keto-friendly fried chicken
• Keto meatloaf
• Smoked Salmon Potato Salad with Pickle Juice Dressing (a Probiotic Twist)
• Avocado Salad in Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing
• Baked Eggs in Portabella Mushroom Caps (Paleo, Keto, Whole 30)
• Paleo Baked Ribs

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a skillet to keep the bacon crispy.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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