Side dishes might be my favorite part of any meal. Although I love enjoying them when I sit down to a meal, I don't really love making them while I'm trying to get the rest of the meal ready. Timing is everything at that point, and I don't have time to be fussing with sides.
With the recipe below, however, I don't have to worry about any of it. That's because all it really takes is throwing some green beans and onions in a slow cooker with herbs and a little bit of liquid. To make it even tastier, I add bacon that's been cooked separately at the end. Those who enjoy bacon know the flavors it can impart. The bacon doesn't have to be fresh out of the pan. You can cook it before you start the rest of the meal or forget all about it and just enjoy the green beans.
Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon
4
10 minutes
3 hours
3 hours, 10 minutes
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, cut in a small dice
2 pounds fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 fresh thyme sprigs
Place bacon pieces in a cold pan and then turn heat to medium. As the pan starts to warm up and the bacon starts to cook, stir often.
Cook for about 7 minutes, until the bacon is fully cooked and crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.
Place all other ingredients in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker and mix everything together.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours.
Transfer beans to a large platter and sprinkle with the crisp bacon bits.
