Keto Green Beans With Bacon Recipe: Your New Favorite Low Carb Side Dish

Make fresh green beans stand out for the holidays or any day with this green beans with bacon side dish that you can make on the stove or slow cooker. Either way, you’ll love how the flavors of bacon, green beans, garlic, and butter come together in this Southern sauteed green beans side that’s healthy, low carb, keto, paleo, and gluten-free.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a vegetable person, this green beans with bacon recipe will be a favorite. It may also turn a picky eater into a green bean eating machine. Bacon always seems to have that effect, right?

Want to know why I love this side dish not only for the holidays but for any day of the week? Well, first you can make it on the stove or in the slow cooker. Also, you can substitute frozen or canned beans for fresh (fresh is definitely the best way to go, but people need options:)
And the very best feature? It tastes so good! On the first day, the second day and the – well – you won’t have enough leftovers for three days.

Oh, and your Grandmother was right. Green Beans ARE good for you. Warning: I’m about to geek out for like 5 seconds to tell you why to eat more green beans.

Are Green Beans Keto-Friendly?

Yes, you can and you should eat green beans on the keto diet! Here are six reasons why.

• Green Beans Help Reduce Heart Disease – Green Beans have high levels of flavonoids which help reduce cardiovascular disease
• Green Beans Help Control Diabetes – Green Beans are one of the few vegetables known to have a hypoglycemic influence on patients with Diabetes
• Green Beans Help Boost Your Immune System – Loaded with antioxidants! #NoSickDays
• Green Beans Help Your Eyesight – The carotenoids in green beans keep your vision healthy
• Green Beans Help You Get More Vitamin K – & Calcium – For healthy bones & preventing osteoporosis
• Green Beans Help You With Digestive Issues – Green Beans are Low FODMAP – The fiber in green beans helps with digestive issues like hemorrhoids, constipation, ulcers, and acid reflux

Now, let’s pair this healthy veggie with a little bacon. But first – we blanch.

Blanching Fresh Green Beans

If you’re using fresh green beans, you’ll want to start with blanching, but don’t worry – this step doesn’t take much time or effort. If you can boil water, you can blanch green beans. First, trim the ends off of the beans then follow these steps

• Boil water
• Place green beans plus one teaspoon salt into the boiling water for 3 minutes
• Drain and place into an ice water bath immediately

What Does Blanching Do & Is It Necessary?

I know, I know, a lot of folks skip this step, but here’s the thing: blanching is not wasting your time. This process helps preserve the flavor, color, and texture of the beans and prevents the loss of vitamins and nutrients. And it’s pretty cool to watch the dulled out green beans transform into a vibrant – way more appealing color in three minutes. (If you have kids this can be your teachable moment of the day:)

Green Beans with Bacon Ingredients

1 Pound Fresh Green Beans
8 Slices bacon (Crumbled) + 2-3 Tablespoons Bacon Grease
1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
1/2 Medium Yellow Onion Chopped
4 Tablespoons Salted Butter – (1 Tablespoon for Green Beans, 3 Tablespoons for almonds)
2 Garlic Cloves Minced
Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
⅓ Cup Almonds (Optional)

How To Make Green Beans With Bacon Step By Step (Stove Top)

Ok, I’m about to walk you through making green beans with bacon on the stove. If you want to save space or you just prefer using the crockpot, those instructions are in the recipe card.

Start by chopping the onion & trimming and rinsing green beans – You can do this one or two days ahead if you’re meal planning

Next, fry the bacon – keep at least 2-3 tablespoons worth of bacon grease and try not to eat all of the bacon while you cook:)

Let your pan cool for a few minutes or use another pan because for the next steps we’ll be using low – medium heat

Melt the butter into the bacon grease and add in the chopped onion and garlic. Stir it around enough to coat the onions and saute for 2-3 minutes until the onions are clear

Next, add the green beans, salt, pepper – and cook for about a minute

Now, add in a cup of chicken broth, (it will reduce itself as you cook) and 1/2 of your crumbled bacon and set the stove to low and cover – leaving a small space to release steam

Cook for 20-30 minutes while the beans do their thing. You can come back and stir if you feel like you need to – and if it looks like you need to add a little more broth you can add in another ¼ cup

For the almonds: Melt 3 Tablespoons butter into a saucepan and brown almonds for about 5 minutes on low until they are crispy and golden. Or melt the butter in the microwave and stir them in:)

Top with the rest of the bacon and almonds. Enjoy!

More Low Carb Keto Side Dishes You’ll Love

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole – The ultimate low carb comfort food swap that’s ready in 45 minutes

Keto Stuffed Mushrooms With Cream Cheese & Bacon – Here’s an easy and healthy stuffed mushroom recipe that works as an appetizer and a side

46 Keto Side Dish Recipes: The Low Carb Sides That Make Dinner A Meal – Here’s the one where I round up the best keto side dishes – organized by vegetable. I know, it’s a little extra, but sometimes I can’t help myself

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