Roadhouse Bacon-Lime Green Beans
Blistered green beans get smoky bacon, lime, and toasted peanuts for a fast side with bar-and-grill attitude.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 15 · Total: 25 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (205 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
A bold bar-and-grill side built around hot-skillet green beans and a bright lime finish.
Story
Every roadhouse needs a green side that can keep up with the burgers, and this is the one. The beans get smashed against a hot skillet until their edges blister, then bacon, peanuts, and lime come rolling in. It is smoky, crunchy, and loaded with enough bright flavor to cut through a big plate. Stack it next to fries or grilled meat and call it a win.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 1 lb trimmed green beans
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Whisk the soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until crisp, then transfer it to a paper towel and leave 1 tablespoon fat in the pan.
- Raise the heat to medium-high, add the oil and green beans, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring only occasionally so the edges blister.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant and pale golden.
- Pour in the lime-soy mixture and toss for 1 minute until the beans are glossy and crisp-tender.
- Top with the bacon, peanuts, and scallion, then serve hot.
Chef Tips
- Dry the green beans well so they char instead of steam.
- Keep the pan roomy; a crowded skillet will soften the beans before they blister.
- Use sunflower seeds instead of peanuts for a nut-free crunch.
- The lime-soy mixture can be made a day ahead and kept chilled.
Cook's Notes
- **Char:** Let the beans sit undisturbed for a minute or two so the spots develop.
- **Bacon:** Drain extra fat if your bacon is especially rich.
- **Heat:** Add the lime-soy mixture at the end so it does not burn.
- **Crunch:** Add peanuts just before serving to keep them crisp.