ROASTED GREEN BEANS

Roasted green beans are one of my favorites! If you agree with me on bacon makes everything better, give this recipe a try!

I was so excited for my garden to finally start providing some fresh veggies! We just had our first picking of green beans, and I could not wait to make this recipe with them.

There is just something about fresh, tender green beans right out of the garden that really enhances the flavors in this recipe. You can use frozen as well, but if you have fresh, I highly recommend it!

If choosing frozen, use the fine green beans (not cut). You want them to be the long and slender ones.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED TO MAKE ROASTED GREEN BEANS?

• strainer (if using fresh)
• cutting board (if using fresh)
• knife (if using fresh)
• baking sheet
• oven

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE NEEDED?

• green beans – fresh or frozen
• olive oil, extra virgin
• bacon
• salt
• pepper

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING ROASTED GREEN BEANS?

I do not use exact measurements on this recipe. Measure with your heart. I add as many green beans as needed to cover the bottom of my baking sheet. A few here or there overlapping is ok. Then, as long as the olive oil is coating the beans (not drenching), you can’t go wrong. Add as little or as much bacon as you want. Salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

If you’re using fresh green beans, start out by washing them well and letting the water drain off in a strainer. If using frozen, just dump them from the bag, frozen, on to baking sheet and skip next step of cutting off ends.

Next, take out your cutting board and knife and chop off each end of the green beans. Discard the ends.

Once ends are cut off, lay the prepared green beans on a baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the beans. Using your hands, mix around the beans to make sure they are all coated with the oil well.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Then, chop up bacon into desired size pieces (mine usually end up about 3/4 of an inch wide or so). Keep in mind the bacon will shrink as it bakes.

Spread bacon pieces throughout the green beans, making sure the bacon is touching the bottom of the baking sheet, so it cooks well and crisps.

Last, bake them for about 25 minutes, mixing the beans and bacon halfway through. Again, make sure bacon is touching the baking sheet after you mix them.

They are ready when the bacon is cooked completely and to your desired crispness.

Let the roasted green beans cool for a few minutes before serving.

These pair well with some grilled chicken or my Hamburger Gravy recipe!

CAN ROASTED GREEN BEANS BE SAVED FOR LEFTOVERS?

I normally just make enough for the meal we are eating. They would be fine for leftovers the next day, however my preference is to eat them at the meal I made them for. My opinion is they can be a bit rubbery the next day but try it out for yourself!

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as we do!