Green beans…. like you’ve never had them before! Green beans are sautéed in a garlicky bacon fat then semi-braised-semi-steamed in stock before being simmered with a creamy garlic sauce. Decadent? Yes. Special? Double yes.
Handy stove cooked side dish – no need to juggle oven space for Sunday night roast dinners and holiday feasts!
A very special Green Bean recipe!
This is not your usual “light and fresh” green bean side dish that you’ll pull out night after night. It is unapologetically indulgent and that’s exactly what this is intended to be – a special side dish for all those times when you want something that’s a cut above the usual quick ‘n easy vegetable sides that we make for quick midweek meals.
You know it’s going to be a winner when I tell you it starts with THIS ……↓↓↓
Yep, THAT is what we cook the green beans in – all those tasty bacon drippings. Flavour flavour flavour!!!
What goes in Green Beans in Creamy Sauce
Think Alfredo pasta – but with beans instead of spaghetti!
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Fresh green beans – because, well, this is a green beans recipe!😂 Having said that, this recipe will be terrific with carrots (cut into batons), asparagus and I’ve also published am equally delicious version using brussels sprouts;
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Bacon – massive flavour boost here, not only used for sprinkling the finished dish but also to saute the green beans in the drippings instead of using butter or oil;
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Garlic – because it appears in virtually every single savoury dish I make!
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Chicken or vegetable stock/broth – the idea here is to use a bit of liquid to sort-of-steam-sort-of-braise the beans in the skillet. This way, we can get a double flavour wack – sautéing in bacon drippings first, then braising in stock so it absorbs the flavour. Oh wait – THEN it’s simmered in the parmesan cream sauce, so it’s a triple flavour dose!
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Cream – the base of the creamy sauce. But don’t worry, I have some lower fat alternatives in the recipe for you!
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Parmesan – not only adds flavour into the sauce but also thickens it. If you don’t have parmesan, add small dab of mustard will provide a similar thickening effect.
How to make Green Beans in Creamy Sauce
And here’s how to make it:
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Trim and chop the green beans;
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Cook the bacon bits first so they release all that tasty fat;
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Cook garlic until golden then stir in the green beans to coat it in all that flavour;
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Add chicken stock/broth then cover with a lid. It’s only a bit of liquid – enough to add a bit of extra flavour to the beans and to create a steamy environment to cook the beans, but little enough so by the time the beans are cooked, there is not much liquid left (otherwise it would make our sauce too watery);
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Add cream and parmesan, then simmer for a minute or two to thicken;
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Garnish with bacon and a little extra parmesan if you want. And why wouldn’t you, we’re going all out anyway!😇
What and how to serve these green beans
It’s intended as a side dish that’s a little bit fancy. Something that will take a roast chicken and turn it into a special Sunday night dinner. (Or try this one or this one or even this slow cooker one!).
A vegetable side that’s worthy of a place at a holiday occasion – think Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and everything in between.
Having said that though, this is rich enough, interesting enough and flavour loaded enough to be worthy of serving as a meat free main. Serve it over pasta, rice, cauliflower rice (for low carb), mash, cauliflower mash, quinoa or other starchy vehicle of choice. Or just some bread for mopping. YUM. – Nagi x
PS For those who noted the crossed out “meat free” – if you really want/need to make it meat free: skip the bacon, use butter and proceed with recipe. Then finish with a sprinkle of pangrattato (that’s fancy Italian speak for croutons) or store bought crispy fried shallots (the Asian kind) or, in a nod to good ole’ Green Bean Casserole, a scattering of hot crispy fried onions (homemade or store bought).
PPS UPDATE: Reader made a terrific suggestion – use it as a sauce over grilled or pan seared proteins, like pork chops or breast. Perfection!
Watch how to make it
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Green Beans in Creamy Parmesan Sauce - with bacon!
Ingredients
- 150g/ 5oz bacon , chopped (use streaky, not lean)
- 2 garlic cloves , finely minced
- 500g/1lb green beans , trimmed, cut into ~5cm / 2" pieces
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock / broth , low sodium
- 1 cup cream , heavy/thickened (Note 1)
- 1/2 cup parmesan , finely grated (best to grate your own)
- Black pepper , freshly ground
Instructions
- Place bacon in cold skillet, then turn the stove on high. (Note 2)
- Cook bacon for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, then remove with a slotted spoon.
- Discard excess bacon fat, leaving behind 1 1/2 tablespoons (or so). If you're short, add a dab of butter (or olive oil).
- Add garlic and stir for 10 - 15 seconds until light golden.
- Add green beans and stir to coat in garlicky bacon fat.
- Add chicken stock, stir, bring to simmer then cover with lid. (Note 3) Cook 3 minutes, stirring every now and then so it cooks evenly, until beans are tender-crisp, still bright green and almost cooked to your liking (it will cook more). There should be some liquid left (if not, that's ok too)
- Add cream, parmesan and pepper. Stir, bring to simmer then lower heat to medium low and let it gently simmer for 2 minutes until the cream reduces and becomes thicker. If you want it to stick to the beans thickly when warm, then reduce the sauce for another 1 minute until the sauce is quite thick. (Note 4)
- Taste and add salt if needed (I don't find it needs more).
- Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with cooked bacon and extra parmesan if you like.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Harnessed up, ready to go! He comes everywhere with me. 🙂
PS The harness he’s wearing is a brand called Sleepy Pod which I got for him a few years back after (alarmingly) discovering that the one I was using that was sold as “crash tested” but was NOT certified (ie it didn’t pass the crash test!!). Hence furious (and immediate) researching to find a harness that passed a crash test which led me to Sleepy Pod harnesses. Pricey, but worth it, especially with a large 40kg/80lb dog like Dozer (for the both his safety and those in other cars).
I made it without bacon. I used butter to saute the garlic and beans. There’s so much flavour in the rest of the ingredients that, while not true to recipe, it was still absolutely delicious.
I so wanted to make this dish but I had no bacon nor cream. Not to be put off, I substituted some cream cheese & milk for the cream and added some finely shredded fresh mint at the end. Yum, it was scrumptious! The bean equivalent of gratin dauphinoise but much easier and quicker.
I’ll try it again with bacon and cream but Nagi, you have me sold on this.
This looks like it would good for someone on a Keto diet.
This looks like a sub. For green bean casserole, which is a favorite on holidays.
I’m going to try this this weekend, wish me luck.
Yes definitely! Although any excuse – don’t wait for the holidays 😉 N x
Hi Lana, sorry you had issues – did it thicken slightly when it cooled? N x
Thanks for all of great recipes Nagi! I’ve made many of them my family loves! I saw in this recipe for the green beans(that I can’t wait to make) you use a cast iron skillet. How do you clean them afterwards and season them?
Hi Julie, yes I love my cast iron skillet. A little water end elbow grease to clean stay away from harsh chemicals to preserve their longevity. To season I just wipe down with a little oil after they’ve been washed and dried. N x
Thanks Nagi! I was under the impression that you had to heat the pan after cleaning it and then add a little oil. This is a lot easier. May make my pans even more non-stick!
These look absolutely decadent and delicious! For those worried about the calorie count – move along! No need to comment.
I love your recipes Nagi. Keep up the good work!!
Calories shmalories – eat lettuce tomorrow I say!! 😂 N x
I absolutely LOVE Dozer. You and Dozer are the highlights of my week. Can’t wait for your next recipe!
Thanks so much Linda, that’s so sweet of you! N x
Don’t you just hate predictive text…. my comment should have read Dozer not Tozer woof woof dog apology language x
Not a problem Nina 🙂 N x
Looks like a fabulous side dish but with 16g saturated fat…. not for me. I think even if I went for lower fat suggested alternatives it might be still quite high,,,
Challenge for Nagi and Tozer (chief taster) a healthier recipe version for this….a bit like your creamy but no cream soups… well it’s food for thought.. I love your recipes but will skip this one…but only because of the saturated fat nutritional values…
ps Change of subject…could you make a tasty but healthy vegetarian moussaka. Just asking…. hahaha
Hi Nina, I have lots of low fat alternatives, it’s ok to indulge once in a while – pair with some poached chicken and it’s perfect! Feel free to pop any require requests on my recipe request page – I have a list I’m working through 🙂 N x
❤️❤️❤️ to you and Tozer
Dozer not Tozer predictive text again hahaha
This recipe looks amazing! Sadly bacon is hard to get where I am, is there an appropriate sub for it?
Hi Tina – try prosciutto or pancetta – any of these style salty cured meats will work perfectly. And if all else fails – ham will work too! N x
I’ll try with jamón serrano, which is easy to get here. Thanks so much!
Perfect Tina! N x
Bscon fats are sooo unhealthy!!!
Lot’s of things are unhealthy – everything in moderation though Karen 🙂
Does the sleepypod harness attach to a seatbelt?
Hi Kathleen, yes they attach to the seatbelt 🙂 N x
Is it possible to use frozen green beans???
Hi Mai, yes definitely – just thaw and cook as per the recipe. N x
I’m saving this recipe for Thanksgiving! I’m always looking for new vege recipes for the holidays, & this is the best I’ve seen! Love the picture of Dozer & how happy he looks in his harness!
Perfect Renee!!! I hope you love it! N x
Would love to make these but in Adelaide they were today $12.99 kilo
Jane, hopefully I did this conversion correctly.
1lb= .45kilo
1AUD = .73 USD
.45x(12.99x.73)=4.26
So it looks like green beans currently sell for approx. $4.25 USD. High, but not as frighteningly high as first impressions.
Praying for all Aussies and the rest of the world.
Hi Kris and Sarah!! Ba ha I didn’t even think to convert 🙂 $4.50 AUD for 1 kg of beans equates to US$3.30 for 2 pounds which is $1.65 for 1 lb!!! VERY cheap even by YOUR standards!!! N xx
Nagi, thanks for the reply but now I’m really confused. (Now an unusual state!)
Jane spoke of the green beans being $12.99AUD/kilo. That’s where I got my price from. Sorry if I misinterpreted. Anyway, having these green beans for dinner tomorrow. Thanks again. Wet nose kisses to Dozer from Obewan.
??????😳😳😳😳😱😱😱Yikes!!!! Where does it cost that much for green beans? Is that dollars? Why is that???
Signed,
Confused old lady in Wisconsin!!!🤣
These look good! I just picked my beans and had them for dinner tonight, but am going to the farm store Thursday to buy some. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Love to know what you think once you try it Terry!! N x
These look absolutely delicious. Nagi … as a Victorian, your kind words and sentiments do help. It has been so tough for so many but there are lots of cups which are half full and there are always others worse off. Oh … and the odd glass of wine does not go astray 😉
I can imagine Carol, just doing anything I can to help! And glass? Don’t you mean bottle 😉 N x
Truly a recipe worthy of a Weight Watcher, lol
Just add poached chicken on the side – that will offset the beans 😂 N x
Oh dear, Nagi 🙂 ! Usually after I receive one of your posts a mad reposting takes place to many of my friends – ‘Look at this recipe’ ! Well, today quite a few will get the mail because I want them to see Dozer’s ‘Sleepy Pod’ car harness. It’s fabulous !! It looks SO safe and comfortable and is really not so expensive for what it does ! And look at all the fashionable colours !!! Oh, the beans . . . I’m certain they are real yummy but you know my ‘allergies’ to stuff spelled with ‘b’ and ‘c’ . . . . but I should really go beyond steaming the dear vegetables, I agree !
I love that you talk about Dozer first – I knew he’d steal the show! These beans are truly worthy of splashing out – you won’t go back to steamed veg! N x