Description
This Loaded Skillet Toasted Green Beans recipe combines crisp fresh green beans with savory bacon, shallots, toasted almonds, and tangy feta cheese, all topped with crispy garlic butter breadcrumbs. It’s a flavorful and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for dinner parties or weekday meals, delivering a great balance of textures and rich flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 2 pounds fresh green beans
- 1/3 cup toasted almonds
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
- 1/3 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook Bacon and Shallots: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the chopped bacon and sliced shallots. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the shallots start to brown. Remove this mixture from the skillet and place it in a bowl for later use.
- Cook Green Beans: Add the green beans to the skillet. If there is no bacon fat left, add about a tablespoon of butter or olive oil to the skillet. Cook the green beans over medium heat, stirring and tossing occasionally, until they turn bright green and are cooked but still slightly crunchy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked bacon and shallots to the skillet with the green beans. Toss everything together. Then, add in the toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese, mixing gently to combine.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter while whisking constantly. Continue whisking as the butter bubbles and brown bits begin to form on the bottom, then remove from heat and whisk for an additional 30 seconds. Let the browned butter sit for 2 minutes, then whisk in the minced garlic. Add the seasoned panko breadcrumbs and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring well to coat.
- Serve: Sprinkle the garlic butter breadcrumbs evenly over the green bean mixture and serve immediately while warm and crispy.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans for best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute almonds with other toasted nuts if preferred.
- If you like it spicier, increase the crushed red pepper flakes in the breadcrumbs.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use olive oil instead of butter in breadcrumb preparation.
- Serve as a delicious side dish with roasted meats or as part of a holiday meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg