Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 4 slices of bacon, diced
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

Instructions:

  1. Trim the ends of the green beans and wash them thoroughly.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Use tongs to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
  3. In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add olive oil if needed. Add the trimmed green beans and sauté for 5-7 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the crispy bacon back into the skillet.
  5. Season with salt and pepper, and add lemon juice if using. Toss to combine and heat through, then remove from heat and serve.