Green Beans with Maple Bacon & Ginger

These Green Beans with Maple Bacon and Ginger will be a standout side dish at your next Holiday table. The vibrant green beans are perfectly tender-crisp, glazed with a savory tamari-ginger sauce, while the bacon is sweetened with a touch of maple syrup. To add extra flavor, I’ve included fresh young green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This wholesome side dish is not only delicious but also quick and easy to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes to cook.

Perfectly Cooked Green Beans: The Key to Flavorful and Tender Beans

We all love green beans, but overcooked beans can be unappetizing, both in appearance and flavor. To avoid mushy, tasteless beans, the key is to blanch them properly. Blanching involves briefly cooking the beans in boiling water, then immediately shocking them in ice water to preserve their texture and color.

Blanching

One of the most important steps in the blanching process is cooking the beans in well-salted water. Adding salt enhances the natural flavor of the beans and prevents them from tasting bland and watery. Vegetables that are blanched should always be cooked in salty water for the best results.

Water Salt Ratio

The ratio is simple: use one tablespoon of salt for every liter of water. After blanching and shocking the beans, drain them thoroughly and set them aside until you’re ready to add your favorite sauces, seasonings, or use them in dishes like casseroles. This method ensures your green beans will be flavorful, vibrant, and perfectly cooked every time.

Why Green Beans are the Perfect Low-Carb Side Dish

Green beans, when cooked properly, are a crunchy, low-calorie, and high-fiber vegetable, with just 3.6 net carbs per cup. This makes them an excellent choice for anyone following a low-calorie or keto diet.

But the benefits don’t stop there. According to Heart Organization, green beans are packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, and silicon—an important mineral that supports healthy bones, skin, and hair.

These nutritious beans are often served as a side dish to proteins like chicken, beef, turkey, ham, pork, or fish. The best part? They pair perfectly with almost any dish. Here are my 5 favorite gluten-free entrees to serve with green beans:

Gourmet Pork Rib Roast

Crispy Chicken a l’Orange

Gluten-Free Asian Meatballs

Chilli Lime Chicken with Chorizo Rice

Grilled Halibut