Simple Italian Green Beans with Crispy Prosciutto

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Italian green beans is a simple vegetable side dish of tender green beans sauteed with garlic, onion, and Italian seasonings. Topped off with fresh herbs and crispy fried prosciutto this easy recipe is the perfect side for chicken, fish, or BBQ.

This recipe is an easy way to add flavor to regular green beans! The herbs and spices compliment the green beans and the crispy fried prosciutto is just a bonus! It’s like fancy bacon!

What is in Italian Green Beans?

  • Olive oil
  • Prosciutto
  • Fresh or Frozen green beans
  • Red onion
  • Garlic
  • Rosemary
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Red wine Vinegar
  • Parsley
  • Salt and pepper

FAQs / Q & As

What type of beans should I use?

For this simple side dish, you can use whatever green beans you have available: string beans, wax beans, yellow beans, Italian green beans, French green beans, beans from your garden, this recipe is versatile!

Can I use frozen or canned beans?

Fresh beans are always the best choice, but when fresh beans are not available or out of season, frozen green beans are an excellent substitute. Avoid using canned green beans, they are too mushy for this recipe.

What to serve with Italian Green beans?

Although this recipe uses Italian style seasonings this simple side dish has savoury flavours that pair well with BBQ, chicken, fish, pork and pasta.

Must Read Tips

Tips for Preparing the Green Beans

  • The green beans can be cooked on the stovetop or in the microwave to save time.
  • Be sure to cook the green beans until they are still firm but just fork tender.
  • Rinsing the green beans in cold water after cooking will stop the cooking process and keep the beans crisp.

Microwave Instructions

  1. Place the beans in a microwave safe container with a snap lock lid. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper and add 2-3 tablespoons of water.
  1. Place the lid firmly on the container and shake well to coat the beans in the seasoning and water.
  1. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes and let the beans stand with the lid on for 1-2 minutes before removing the lid. Careful it’s hot!

**Some green beans can be cooked straight in the bag they come in, check the package for instructions on steaming green beans in the microwave. **

Stovetop Instructions

  1. Bring salted water to a boil in a saucepan.
  1. Once boiling add the green beans and cover with a lid. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the beans are just fork tender. Don’t let them get mushy.
  1. Drain over the sink in a colander and rinse immediately with cold water to halt the cooking.

Tips for Frying the Prosciutto

  • Avoid overlapping the slices. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
  • The first side takes slightly longer to crisp than the second side, keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
  • Cool the fried prosciutto on a paper towel lined plate to prevent them from getting soggy.
  • Bacon or salami can be used in place of prosciutto.
Italian Green Beans Recipe Card

Italian Green Beans Recipe Card

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Italian green beans is a quick and simple vegetable side dish of sauteed green beans in savory Italian spices topped with crispy fried prosciutto. An easy side dish for BBQ, chicken, beef, pork or pasta.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil, for frying
  • 100g (3.5 oz) Prosciutto
  • 450g (1 pound) Fresh or Frozen green beans, steamed
  • 70g (1 small) Red onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves (2 tablespoons) Garlic, minced
  • 2 sprigs (1 tablespoon) Rosemary, chopped
  • 6g (1 tablespoon) Italian Seasoning
  • 15 g (1 tablespoon) Red wine Vinegar
  • Parsley, for garnish
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Steam the green beans until al-dente.  Bring salted water to a boil in a saucepan. Once boiling, add the green beans and cover with a lid. Cook for 1-2 minutes until they are just fork tender. Drain over the sink in a colander and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  2. Fry the prosciutto until crisp. Lightly drizzle olive oil in a pan over medium heat, once hot lay each slice of prosciutto in the pan, avoid overlapping. Fry the first side for 2-3 minutes, flip and fry the other side for 1-2 minutes until fully crisped. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain and cool.  Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
  3. Saute the garlic and onions. In the same pan, add sliced red onion and minced garlic, add olive oil as needed. Saute for about 5 minutes until the onion softens.
  4. Add seasonings, beans, and vinegar. Add the chopped rosemary and Italian seasoning to the onions and stir to combine. Add the steamed green beans and red wine vinegar to the pan and toss to coat. Saute for 1 minute to cook off the vinegar.
  5. Crumble prosciutto. Using your hands or a knife, crumble the fried prosciutto into smaller pieces. Add the crumbles to the pan and toss everything to combine. Remove the pan from the heat, season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Check the package of green beans for helpful cooking instructions.
  • Green beans can be steamed in the microwave to save time. See post above for full instructions
  • Both fresh and frozen green beans can be used in this recipe, do not use canned beans.
  • Leftovers: Store leftovers sealed in the fridge for use within a week.
  • Reheating: For best results, heat a pan over medium-low heat on the stove and add the leftovers to warm through.


Equipment:

  • Knife and Cutting Board
  • Saucepan with a lid
  • Frying pan
  • Colander

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 18.9Total Fat: 10.2gSaturated Fat: 1.8gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 11.8mgSodium: 386.1mgCarbohydrates: 8.5gFiber: 3gSugar: 3.6gProtein: 6.6g

Enjoy!

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