Discover the savory delight of my Asian Style Green Beans With Bacon recipe, a simple yet flavorful side dish that’s sure to impress! These green beans are cooked in bacon fat until tender, then tossed with crispy bacon pieces and coated in a savory Japanese-style sauce. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any Asian-inspired meal, adding a burst of flavor and texture to every bite!
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Why I Love This Recipe
I absolutely love my recipe because it’s my own take on Japanese-style green beans, a unique creation you won’t find anywhere else! These green beans are cooked to perfection in bacon fat, creating a delightful combination of crunchiness and tenderness. Then, I mix in crispy bacon and drizzle them with my secret Japanese-style sauce, following the same cooking technique as my Stir Fry Green Beans and Bean Sprouts and Pork Stir Fry. This method allows the sauce to infuse the dish with garlicky and savory flavors just like in my Garlic String Beans recipe!
It’s the ideal side dish to pair with your choice of rice or even as a co-main dish. If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe made with real ingredients that combines the goodness of both proteins and vegetables, this one’s a must-try. Get ready to savor the smoky goodness and make this recipe now!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Bacon – thick center cut bacon is best.
- Green Beans – use fresh green beans that are trimmed, cleaned and string-less.
- Garlic– freshly grated garlic.
- Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
- Garlic Powder – garlic powder is easily found in most supermarkets.
- Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets.
- Black Pepper – ground.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – optional garnish.
🥓 Bacon Note
When making this dish, opt for bacon that releases oil when cooked, as I’ll be using that oil to stir-fry the green beans. If your bacon doesn’t yield enough oil, you can simply substitute it with vegetable oil for the same great outcome.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Wok or Deep Large Skillet
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
Use a Wok or Deep Skillet. These cookware retain heat better and offer plenty of space for the green beans to cook and become crispy.
Step 1 Combine grated garlic, soy sauce, garlic powder, Japanese sake in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 2 Start by cooking bacon in a large skillet on medium-high heat until it’s done. Transfer the cooked bacon to a holding plate, leaving the bacon oil in the skillet.
🥓 Bacon Pro Tip
Cook your bacon until it’s Crispy. This adds a fantastic texture when combined with the crispy green beans.
Step 3 Next, sauté the green beans in the skillet until they reach your desired level of tenderness, aiming for a crisp texture.
🥬 Green Bean Pro Tip
Avoid Overcooking the green beans. The key is to maintain a crispy and crunchy texture for this recipe, so be mindful not to overcook them.
Step 4 Then, add the sauce mixture and continue to stir-fry for about a minute to infuse the flavors.
📄 Serving Note
This recipe is designed to be enjoyed alongside your preferred Bowl of Rice.
Recipe Variation
Switch out the bacon for some ground pork and pair that with my Donburi Sauce and some green bean to create my Pork and Green Beans Stir Fry variation of this dish!
Pairing Recommendations
This dish is best enjoyed with rice dishes like Japanese Ketchup Fried Rice, Garlic Butter Vegetable Fried Rice, or plain rice of your choice. For a satisfying soup pairing, consider Japanese Meatball Soup, which complements the dish’s savory flavors. And to quench your thirst, a simple Mugicha would be a refreshing contract to your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen green beans to make this dish?
No, using frozen green beans won't achieve the desired crunchy texture I'm aiming for; fresh green beans are the best choice.
How do I achieve the perfect crispy texture for the green beans?
The surefire way to achieve the perfect crispy texture is to taste them while cooking. Look for the green beans to develop a slightly blistered appearance when they are done.
What are some alternative seasonings I can use for the green beans?
If you prefer a slightly sweeter version, consider adding Japanese mirin or a sprinkle of sweetener. For a touch of spiciness, you can add some ground red pepper to suit your taste.
Can I make this recipe in regular skillet?
Yes, it is possible to make this recipe in a regular skillet, but keep in mind that it may not produce the ideal texture for the green beans compared to using a wok or large deep skillet.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they can be kept for 3-5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat them in the microwave.
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Watch How To Make It
Asian Style Green Beans With Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 Slices Bacon
- 1/4 lbs Green Beans trimmed, cleaned and string-less
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Japanese Sake can substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Grind garlic with a grinder or garlic press and place into a mixing bowl. Add soy sauce, garlic powder, Japanese sake and set aside.
- Cut the ends off green beans, cut into bite size piece and set aside.
- Cut bacon into 1/4 inch pieces and set aside.
- In a fry pan, place on medium heat and cook bacon until desired texture is reached. Crispy bacon would be better for this dish, which would take around 4-6 minutes on medium.
- Once the bacon is done, transfer bacon to holding plate. Add back 1 tsp of the bacon oil into the fry pan, turn heat to high and add green beans. Sprinkle salt & black pepper and continuously stir green beans until done but still crunchy, about 2-3 minutes. Note - if your bacon didn't produce any oil, you can substitute with neutral tasting vegetable oil.
- Add sauce mixture and cook for an additional 10-20 seconds. Add bacon back in and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top. Transfer to a serving plate.
OMG 🤤 I was never a big green beans fan but this recipe looked so good! I followed the recipe exactly(even buying the sake)\ so good.
Thank you!
Hello Donna! You are very welcome and glad you liked the recipe!