Zydeco Green Beans

Elevate your side dish game with Zydeco Green Beans, a vibrant and flavor-packed recipe that brings the festive spirit of Louisiana straight to your plate. Tender green beans are blanched to perfection and then infused with smoky, savory, and slightly spicy notes thanks to crispy thick-cut bacon, sautéed onions, red bell peppers, and a zesty Cajun seasoning blend. A splash of chicken broth ensures every bite is juicy and brimming with rich flavor, while optional hot sauce adds a bold kick for spice lovers. This quick recipe, ready in just 30 minutes, is an irresistible pairing for your favorite Southern-inspired mains, from fried catfish to barbecue ribs. Perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings, these Zydeco Green Beans deliver a crowd-pleasing combination of textures and bold, comforting flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0 to taste salt

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch them for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender. Immediately drain and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it is crispy and rendered, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet; discard any excess.

Step 3

Add the olive oil to the skillet with the bacon fat and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the Cajun seasoning, paprika, and ground black pepper, stirring to coat the vegetables evenly.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the blanched green beans to the skillet and toss to coat them in the seasoning and broth.

Step 6

Cook for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until the green beans are heated through and have absorbed the flavors. If desired, stir in the optional hot sauce for an extra kick.

Step 7

Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the green beans just before serving.

Step 8

Serve the Zydeco Green Beans warm as the perfect spicy and smoky side dish to complement any Southern-inspired meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	825 grams (825.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	651

Total Fat 39.30g	50%
Saturated Fat 10.30g	52%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 40mg	13%
Sodium 4810mg	209%
Total Carbohydrate 52.90g	19%
Dietary Fiber 18.50g	66%
Total Sugars 24.30g
Protein 33.10g	66%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 222mg	17%
Iron 7mg	39%
Potassium 1727mg	37%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.7%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 30.3%