Loaded Skillet Toasted Green Beans
User Reviews
5
Loaded Skillet Toasted Green Beans
Description
Loaded Skillet Toasted Green Beans highlights fresh green beans cooked until bright and tender but still with a slight crunch. The green beans are first sautéed in bacon fat or butter along with shallots and chopped bacon until the shallots soften and bacon crisps. Toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese are added for nutty and creamy contrasts. Garlic butter breadcrumbs seasoned with red pepper flakes are sprinkled on top for an extra crunchy, aromatic topping.
The dish offers a balance of textures, from the crunchy breadcrumbs and toasted nuts to the tender green beans and rich bacon. The flavor profile is savory with mild heat from the red pepper flakes and creamy tang from the feta cheese. The cooking process builds flavor in layers using rendered bacon fat and lightly toasted components.
This recipe works well as a side for poultry, pork, or other hearty mains. It can be prepared ahead to the breadcrumb topping stage and finished off just before serving to retain maximum crispness. The result is a flavorful vegetable dish that brings texture and richness to the meal.
Ingredients
- 4 lices Bacon chopped
- 2 shallot sliced
- 2 pounds Green bean fresh
- 1/3 cup almonds toasted
- 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled
garlic butter breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 garlic minced or pressed, clove
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs seasoned
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the bacon and shallots. Cook until the bacon is crispy and the shallots begin to brown, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes minutes. Remove the mixture from the skillet and place it in a bowl while you cook the green beans.
- Add the green beans to the skillet. If there isn’t any bacon fat left, you can use butter or olive oil (about a tablespoon) to toast the beans. I find that the beans are seasoned enough with the bacon flavor and feta, but you can add some salt and pepper here if you like. Cook the beans over medium heat, stirring and tossing occasionally, until they are bright in color and cooked – but still slightly crunchy – about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the shallots and bacon back into the skillet and toss. Toss in the toasted almonds and feta.
- Sprinkle with the garlic brown butter bread crumbs and serve immediately.
garlic butter breadcrumbs
- Add butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk constantly while it bubbles. The minute brown bits begin to form on the bottom of the pan, remove from heat and whisk for an additional 30 seconds. (for more step by step photos of browning butter, click here) Let butter stand for 2 minutes, then add in minced garlic and whisk. Add in panko and pepper flakes and stir well to coat and combine. Set aside.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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