Thanksgiving Recipe Box: Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots

The list of dishes needed for a bountiful Thanksgiving feast is long. You may be tempted to grab that box or can to ease the load. With our friend Heather from Girl and her Kitchen, we’ll share easy, tasty Thanksgiving Recipes made with whole foods that will have everyone at the table asking for more!

Thanksgiving Recipe Box

Thanksgiving dinner can be so heavy, decadent, and rich…oh, and did I mention delicious? I am one of those people that start looking forward to eating it weeks before the holiday and always enjoy a little of every single dish. I love all the sides most of all. Not to undermine the power of a delicious turkey, but the sides! Oh, how I love the sides! The options are endless, and I love having so many things to sample on my plate.

That being said, I do feel the need for a vegetable of some sort to accompany the creamy potatoes, hearty stuffings, and tender turkey with gravy.  That doesn’t mean that the vegetable has to be boring, though! We can get creative and still have some healthy, fresh sides to go with our dinner. Goodbye steamed broccoli and mushy carrots-hello sautéed green beans with bacon and shallots.

This recipe is fresh, delicious, and a great alternative for green bean casserole.  It is easy to make and can even be made ahead of time and reheated if you are in a pinch.  It is best fresh out of the pan, into a serving bowl, and onto a plate. You might even come back for more…if you have any room! I usually double or even triple the recipe for a large crowd!

Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. fresh green beans, ends trimmed
• 1/4 lb bacon, diced
• 2 small shallots, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried

Directions:

1. In a large pot on the stove, bring water to boil.  Cook trimmed beans for 2 minutes.  
2. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drained Green beans should appear bright green.  
3. Heat a large, deep,  skillet over medium heat until hot. Add bacon to the pan and sauté until crispy. Add shallots and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes.
4. Reduce heat, add beans, salt, pepper, and thyme. Place a cover over the pan and cook until beans are cooked through about 6-7 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

*In a pinch, use frozen green beans. Run them underwater in a colander to thaw. Add them to the bacon, shallot and garlic sauté, cook for half the time or until warm. *
Editors note: we love this recipe in our house and when we have to use frozen Trader Joe’s frozen French Green Beans are perfect. 

Find more Thanksgiving Recipes.

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