Discover a dish where roasted broccoli, crisp bacon, and tender great northern beans come together in dazzling harmony. The lemon zest and juice, accented by garlic and olive oil, create a burst of bright, tangy flavor that elevates the humble ingredients into a stunning, satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

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I love making this Lemon Broccoli with Beans and Bacon recipe because it combines simple ingredients to create a dish that’s both nutritious and satisfying. I start with 1 large head broccoli chopped into florets and roast it until its natural sweetness peeks through.

Next, I toss in 8 slices of bacon, chopped into bite-size pieces, which give the dish a lovely smoky flavor. The great northern beans from a 15 oz can add an earthy texture while the fresh lemon, both zested and juiced, provides a vibrant kick of tanginess.

I also toss in 3 cloves of minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to enhance the dish even more. I season with salt and pepper to taste and let it all blend together until you get that perfect mix of roasted broccoli coziness and bacon crunch.

It’s a humble dish that shows how simple ingredients can come together into a stunning meal with real nutritional benefits for anyone looking for a tasty side dish.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because:

1. I love how the mix of crispy bacon, tender roasted broccoli, and creamy beans creates a unique blend of textures and flavors.
2. The zesty lemon adds a burst of freshness that brightens the whole dish.
3. It’s super simple to prep and cook, which makes me feel confident in the kitchen.
4. The aroma from the garlic and bacon sizzling together just makes my whole house smell amazing.

Lemon Broccoli with Beans and Bacon is probably one of my favorite dishes to whip up. Its simple ingredients come together in such a cool way, you know? I mean, you’ve got roasted broccoli that’s slightly crispy, chewy bacon bits, and those hearty great northern beans mixed in with garlic and lemon juice and zest. It might sound basic, but it actually tastes like a real comfort food that still feels special. Even though the recipe isn’t fancy at all, every bite reminds me of home cooking that’s full of flavor and heart.

Ingredients

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Broccoli: Full of fibre and essential vitamins for a satisfying crunch and vibrant green color.
Bacon: Adds smoky, savory flavor and rich protein though is a bit indulgent.
Great Northern Beans: Provides a hearty, creamy texture with plant-based protein and fiber bonus.
Lemon: Offers a bright, sour zing with tart juice and aromatic zest lifting flavors.
Garlic: Gives a bold, pungent kick of flavor along with a healthy antioxidants boost.
Olive Oil: Brings smooth richness and heart-friendly, healthy fats to enhance every bite.
Salt and Pepper: Enhance overall taste while perfectly balancing flavors in the dish.

Ingredient Quantities

1 large head broccoli, cut into florets

8 slices bacon, chopped into bite-size pieces

1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed

1 lemon, zested and juiced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and get your broccoli ready by cutting it into florets

2. Toss the broccoli in a bowl with the olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper and spread it on a baking sheet

3. Roast the broccoli in the oven for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through so it cooks evenly

4. While the broccoli is roasting, chop the bacon into bite-size pieces and fry them in a pan over medium heat until they’re crispy then set them aside on paper towels

5. Remove some of the bacon fat from the pan leaving just a little and add the minced garlic letting it cook for about a minute until it smells amazing

6. Add the drained and rinsed great northern beans to the pan and stir them with the garlic for a couple of minutes

7. Once the broccoli is done, combine it with the beans and garlic in the pan

8. Stir in the crispy bacon pieces and then squeeze in the lemon juice and add the lemon zest

9. Taste the dish and add more salt or pepper if needed

10. Serve your Lemon Broccoli with Beans and Bacon hot and enjoy the mix of flavors!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – Preheating the oven to 425°F is needed to roast the broccoli.
2. Knife – Use it to cut the broccoli into florets, chop the bacon, and mince the garlic.
3. Cutting board – Essential for safely chopping the broccoli, bacon, and garlic.
4. Mixing bowl – Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
5. Baking sheet – Spread out the broccoli for even roasting.
6. Frying pan – Fry the bacon until crispy and later cook the garlic with the beans.
7. Paper towels – Drain the excess bacon fat by placing the crispy bacon on them.
8. Citrus juicer or reamer – Squeeze the lemon to get the juice for flavoring the dish.
9. Zester – Use it to grate the lemon zest into the recipe.
10. Spatula or wooden spoon – Stir the ingredients while cooking and mixing.

FAQ

How do I know when the broccoli is cooked just right?

The broccoli should be tender but still have a bit of crunch so it doesn't turn mushy.

Can I swap out the bacon for something else?

Yup, you can do turkey bacon or even leave it out altogether if you want a vegetarian option.

When should I add the lemon zest and juice?

I like to add them at the very end of cooking to keep that fresh, bright flavor intact.

Can I use a different type of bean if I dont have Great Northern beans?

Sure, cannellini or even navy beans will work just fine, though it might alter the taste a bit.

Do I need to pre-cook the garlic or can I toss it in raw?

Its best to let the garlic heat in the olive oil for a minute so its flavor mellows out, then add the rest.

Lemon Broccoli With Beans & Bacon: Easy Great Northern Beans Recipe! Substitutions and Variations

Instead of bacon, you can use turkey bacon or pancetta for a lighter taste
If you cant find broccoli, cauliflower florets work pretty well as a substitute
Try using cannellini beans or even navy beans if you’re out of great northern beans
If youre short on lemon, a bit of lime juice and zest will give you a similar zestiness
You can also swap fresh garlic with garlic powder if thats what you have around

Pro Tips

1. Pro tip: When tossin the broccoli in olive oil, try sprinklin a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra kick that nicely balances the lemon and bacon flavors.

2. Pro tip: Don’t drain out all the bacon grease from the pan. Leaving a bit in there amps up the garlic and bean mix with that savory bacon flavor so it really pops.

3. Pro tip: Add your lemon zest and juice at the very end. Doing this keeps the citrus flavor fresh and bright and stops it from turnin bitter after too much heat.

4. Pro tip: Spread your broccoli in a single layer on the baking sheet. If its too crowded, the florets can steam rather than roast up crispy so they wont get that golden finish.

Lemon Broccoli With Beans & Bacon: Easy Great Northern Beans Recipe!

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

250

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven – Preheating the oven to 425°F is needed to roast the broccoli.
2. Knife – Use it to cut the broccoli into florets, chop the bacon, and mince the garlic.
3. Cutting board – Essential for safely chopping the broccoli, bacon, and garlic.
4. Mixing bowl – Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
5. Baking sheet – Spread out the broccoli for even roasting.
6. Frying pan – Fry the bacon until crispy and later cook the garlic with the beans.
7. Paper towels – Drain the excess bacon fat by placing the crispy bacon on them.
8. Citrus juicer or reamer – Squeeze the lemon to get the juice for flavoring the dish.
9. Zester – Use it to grate the lemon zest into the recipe.
10. Spatula or wooden spoon – Stir the ingredients while cooking and mixing.

Ingredients

1 large head broccoli, cut into florets
8 slices bacon, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425°F and get your broccoli ready by cutting it into florets
Toss the broccoli in a bowl with the olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper and spread it on a baking sheet
Roast the broccoli in the oven for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through so it cooks evenly
While the broccoli is roasting, chop the bacon into bite-size pieces and fry them in a pan over medium heat until they're crispy then set them aside on paper towels
Remove some of the bacon fat from the pan leaving just a little and add the minced garlic letting it cook for about a minute until it smells amazing
Add the drained and rinsed great northern beans to the pan and stir them with the garlic for a couple of minutes
Once the broccoli is done, combine it with the beans and garlic in the pan
Stir in the crispy bacon pieces and then squeeze in the lemon juice and add the lemon zest
Taste the dish and add more salt or pepper if needed
Serve your Lemon Broccoli with Beans and Bacon hot and enjoy the mix of flavors!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.