Slow simmered green beans cooked with canned tomatoes and thick slices of bacon (grease and all of course) is a beloved Southern staple often served when entertaining – but I think this recipe is even better! (And I KNOW it’s quicker!!)
Seriously, when naming this recipe what came to mind was “best ever green beans with sweet buttery tomatoes, fragrant basil, and smoky bits of bacon.” But it was too long. Instead, I’ll hope you’ll take my word when I tell you these are some of the best green beans I have ever made. And summer is the perfect time to make them.
Made with summer fresh cherry tomatoes instead of canned, fragrant basil, and lean bits of pre-cooked bacon, these beloved beans are not only super tasty, they’ll have you in and out of the kitchen in a flash!
Serve them with burgers, grilled chicken, or my Mouthwatering Marinated Grilled Steak!
MAKES 6 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS
1 pound green beans, trimmed
3/8 teaspoon salt, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic (1 large clove)
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
2 tablespoons fresh basil, stemmed and chopped
1 rounded tablespoon real bacon bits
Black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large skillet, add the green beans, 3/4 cup water, and 1/8 teaspoon salt and place over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 6 to 7 minutes, or until beans are crisp-tender. Uncover beans and cook off any remaining water.
2. While the beans are cooking, in a small skillet over medium heat, combine next 4 ingredients (butter through tomatoes), and remaining salt. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tomatoes just begin to soften. Remove from heat and stir in the basil.
3. Place the green beans on a serving platter and pour the tomatoes over the green beans. Use tongs or a fork to gently combine the tomato mixture with the green beans. Sprinkle evenly with bacon bits and add black pepper to taste, and serve.
DARE TO COMPARE: Garnishing the beans with cooked bacon rather than cooking them with bacon, as other recipes do, saves over 100 calories and 11 grams of fat per serving—and also enhances the bacon flavor!
Nutrition Information Per Serving: (about 2/3 cup) Calories 70 | Carbohydrate 9g (Sugars 3g) | Total Fat 4g (Sat Fat 2g) | Protein 2g | Fiber 3g | Cholesterol 10mg | Sodium 245mg | Food Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Saturated Fat | Carbohydrate Choices: 1/2 | Weight Watcher Smart Point Comparison: green 2, blue 2, purple 2
