Looking for a side dish that’s a little smoky, a little crispy, and a whole lot delicious? These sautéed green beans with Tender Belly bacon are here to save your holiday plans—perfectly crisped beans, savory bacon, and a punch of garlic. Time to get cooking! 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (about 450g) fresh green beans, trimmed
• 4-6 slices Tender Belly bacon, cut into small pieces
• 2 cubes Tender Belly Bacon Fat 
• 1/2 white onion minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Blanch the Green Beans (Optional):To keep the beans bright green and slightly crisp, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the green beans for 2-3 minutes. Drain and transfer them to an ice water bath to stop the cooking. Drain well.
2. Cook the Bacon:In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy. Once done, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving a bit of bacon fat in the skillet.
3. Sauté the Green Beans:In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add Bacon fat cubes (or a drizzle of olive oil or a little butter).
4. Add the green beans and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp.
5. Add Garlic:Add the minced garlic to the green beans and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
6. Combine and Season:Stir in the crispy bacon pieces and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Finish and Serve:If desired, sprinkle with lemon zest and garnish with sliced almonds or chopped walnuts for extra texture. Serve warm.

Enjoy! Show us what you're up to in the kitchen and tag us @tenderbelly—we'll give you a shoutout!