Bill Miller Green Bean Recipe: Discover the Perfect Side Dish - Blend of Bites (2024)

Although green beans are very nutritious, full of vitamins and minerals, and a good source of fiber, most think they are tasteless and bland green vegetables.

This Bill Miller's green bean copycat recipe takes green beans to the next level and proves you can get a delicious meal in less than 30 minutes with simple ingredients and the right combinations. It is a delicious and easy-to-make dish rich in protein and bursting with flavor, while combining the tenderness of the green beans, the sweet taste of tomatoes, and the crispiness of bacon.

Whether you consider it a light dinner or a healthy side dish for steak, you can’t go wrong with this Bill Miller’s bean copycat recipe!

Ingredients

• Fresh green beans — 1 lb.
• Onion — ½ cup.
• Garlic — 2 cloves.
• Roma tomatoes — ½ cup.
• Bacon — 3 oz.
• Salt — ½ tsp.
• Freshly ground black pepper — ¼ tsp.

Instructions

1. Wash the beans, trim off the tops, and cut them into segments. Boil them in a large pot with salted water until tender, for about 8-10 minutes. Drain the water. Reserve about ½ cup of water. Keep them aside covered.

2. Meanwhile, peel the onion and garlic, and then finely dice them.

3. Dice tomatoes and bacon.

4. Use a deep pan to fry the bacon until slightly brown. Stir constantly until lightly browned. Remove and set the bacon aside, leaving the remaining bacon grease.

5. Add the diced onion and tomatoes, and cook them in the bacon grease for 2-3 minutes.

6. Transfer the beans into the pan, add the minced garlic, reserved cooking water, and the cooked bacon, stirring to combine all the ingredients.

7. Season with salt and pepper, and let the beans cook in the sauce for another 4-5 minutes. In the end, they should remain light in color and crispy.

Substitutions

• Fresh green beans — Green beans are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and represent the healthy base of this Bill Miller’s green bean copycat recipe. If fresh green beans aren’t available, you could replace them with frozen green beans or canned green beans. Frozen green beans are as nutritious as fresh green beans. Be sure to thaw them before cooking. If using canned beans, don’t forget to drain and rinse them well before cooking.

• Garlic — Garlic adds an intense flavor and taste to the dish. If you don’t have fresh garlic in your pantry, substitute it with ¼ tsp. of garlic powder.

• Tomatoes — Roma tomatoes have a sweet flavor and firm texture, making them perfect for this recipe. Opt for plum, cherry, or grape tomatoes if you don't have Roma tomatoes. If you want to save time, use canned diced tomatoes.

• Bacon — Consider using Pancetta or prosciutto as options to replace bacon. Don’t forget that they have distinct flavors and textures different from bacon.

Variations

• Add color — Finely chop and sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro over the dish before serving to enhance its appearance with a splash of vibrant green.

• Add flavor — If you’re feeling bold, add a dash of smoked paprika or ground cumin for an interesting flavor twist.

• Add spiciness — Spice things up by adding a sprinkle of red chili flakes or sriracha.

• Low-fat — If you’re on a diet, replace the regular bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter and healthier recipe.

• Make it vegan — For a vegan recipe, roast a few pieces of tofu after marinating it with a blend made of soy sauce and smoked paprika. Another option is to use plant-based bacon if you can find it.

Equipment

• Measuring spoons and cups.

• Large pot.

• Colander.

• Cutting board.

• Knife.

• Deep frying pan.

Storage

• Allow the green beans to cool down before storing them.

• Transfer into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• If you want to store cooked green beans for longer, freezing them for 3 months is a good option. Make sure that you defrost them before reheating them.

Pro Tips

• To achieve the desired texture of the green beans, cook them slightly less than your preferred doneness and adjust accordingly. It is recommended to undercook them slightly as they continue cooking with the tomato mixture.

• For a slightly chunky texture, be careful not to overcook the tomatoes to the point of falling apart. Instead, aim for a consistency where there are still sizable chunks in the sauce, providing a pleasant texture and bursts of sweetness.

• For a harmonious final dish, stir the mixture at the end before turning off the heat.

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