Keto Southern-Style Green Beans (Sweet & Tangy Side Dish)
Enjoy the comforting flavors of Southern-style green beans, made low-carb and keto-friendly! This easy side dish features tender green beans in a sweet and tangy glaze, perfect for pairing with your favorite high-protein mains.
Yields: 2-3 servings Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can Italian green beans, drained very well
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons Swerve Granulated Sweetener (or other erythritol-based granulated sweetener)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (check for low-sugar/keto-friendly brands, or use coconut aminos for strict keto)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Optional: Pinch of salt (taste first, as canned beans can be salty)
- Optional: 1 slice bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled, for garnish
Equipment:
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or spoon
Instructions:
- Drain Green Beans: Open the can of Italian green beans and drain them very thoroughly. You can even press them gently in a colander or between paper towels to remove excess liquid.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, add the drained green beans, apple cider vinegar, Swerve Granulated Sweetener, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
- Simmer & Thicken: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly and thickens into a glaze, coating the green beans.
- Taste & Adjust: Taste the green beans and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want more sweetener, vinegar, pepper, or a tiny pinch of salt.
- Serve: Serve hot as a delicious side dish. Garnish with crumbled bacon, if desired.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
This recipe is a great example of adapting comfort food for a low-carb lifestyle.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is low-carb. Canned green beans are low in carbs, and by using Swerve as the sweetener, you avoid added sugars.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly.
- Italian Green Beans: Canned green beans are generally acceptable on keto.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Keto-friendly.
- Swerve Granulated Sweetener: A perfect zero-net-carb sweetener.
- Butter: A staple keto fat source.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Crucially, check the label for added sugars. Many brands contain them. For strict keto, some brands have sugar-free versions, or you can substitute with coconut aminos mixed with a tiny bit of white vinegar and a pinch of allspice/garlic powder for a similar umami kick.
- Pepper: Keto-friendly.
- High Protein: No, this recipe is not high protein. It’s primarily a vegetable side dish. It’s meant to accompany a protein-rich main course.
- Vegetarian: Yes, this recipe is vegetarian (if the Worcestershire sauce is vegetarian-friendly, some contain anchovies).
- Vegan: No, it contains butter and potentially anchovies in Worcestershire sauce. Can be made vegan by substituting vegan butter and a vegan Worcestershire alternative or coconut aminos.
