I prepared a dish featuring fresh broccoli florets, savory Great Northern beans and crispy bacon that brightened my day. I tossed garlic, lemon juice and olive oil with the ingredients to create a simple, zesty sauce. This is one of my favorite roasted broccoli recipes that marries hearty and fresh flavors.

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I recently discovered a recipe thats become a new favorite in my kitchen – Lemon Broccoli With Beans & Bacon: Easy Great Northern Beans Recipe! I love how the roasted broccoli offers the perfect bite along with the chewy, crisp bacon, and the zing from freshly squeezed lemon makes the dish pop like nothing else.

I started off by cutting a large head of broccoli into florets and tossing it in olive oil, salt and pepper, then I added a can of Great Northern beans that had been drained and rinsed. While the veggies roasted, I cooked six slices of chopped bacon until they were just right and tossed in some minced garlic for extra flavor.

I know its a simple dish and maybe a bit unexpected for a side dish, but trust me its full of taste and texture and perfect for anyone looking for a twist on classic veggie recipes. Give it a try if you wanna add a little edge to your meal!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because the roasted broccoli comes out with these perfectly crispy edges that makes the dish feel both healthy and satisfying. I also really dig how the Great Northern beans add plenty of hearty texture without being boring. The bacon gives it this awesome savory crunch that totally livens up every bite, and the lemon juice adds a bright, tangy kick that cuts through the richness. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up on a busy weeknight, which is perfect for me when I’m just too tired to cook something super fancy.

Ingredients

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Broccoli: a fresh veggie thats high in fibre and vitamins, giving a crisp texture.
Great Northern beans: they offer plant protein and a creamy feel, adding satisfyingly hearty flavour.
Bacon: adds salty smokiness that really brings zest, even if its a bit fatty.
Lemon: a tangy, sour note that lifts the dish, balancing sweetness and saltiness well.
Garlic: intensifies flavor with a pungent kick that makes the dish really pop.
Olive Oil: a heart healthy fat that melds all the flavours together, super essential.
Salt & Pepper: simple seasonings that make the dish pop, enhancing every other flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

1 large head brocolli (about 1 lb) cut into florets

1 can (15 oz) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

6 slices bacon, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 lemon, juiced (reserve some zest if you like)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and toss the broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.

2. Spread the broccoli evenly on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes until slightly crispy on the edges.

3. While the broccoli is roasting, place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until it’s crispy, stirring occasionally.

4. Once the bacon is done, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.

5. Lower the heat and add the minced garlic to the bacon fat in the skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds to a minute until it smells nice, being careful not to burn it.

6. Drain and rinse the Great Northern beans then add them to the skillet, stirring to combine with the garlic and bacon fat.

7. When the broccoli is done roasting, add it into the skillet with the beans and garlic. Mix everything together well.

8. Pour in the juice of one lemon (and add some zest if you prefer a stronger lemon flavor) over the mixture.

9. Stir in the cooked bacon, making sure everything is evenly coated in the lemony garlicky bean mixture.

10. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed, then serve warm and enjoy this simple, hearty dish!

Equipment Needed

1. An oven that preheats to 400°F so you can roast the broccoli evenly.
2. A baking sheet to spread out the broccoli florets.
3. A large skillet for cooking the bacon and later mixing in the garlic and beans.
4. A slotted spoon to scoop out the bacon while keeping the fat behind.
5. A knife and cutting board for chopping the broccoli and mincing the garlic.
6. A plate lined with paper towels to drain the crispy bacon.
7. A citrus juicer (or something similar) to squeeze the lemon juice.
8. A spatula or wooden spoon for stirring all the ingredients together.

FAQ

Q: Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

A: Sure, you can but be careful cause frozen broccoli tends to get soft real quick so you might need to cook it for less time.

Q: Can I swap Great Northern beans with another type?

A: Yeah, cannellini beans or even navy beans work fine if you cant get Great Northern beans at your store.

Q: How do I tell when the bacon is done?

A: Just cook the bacon until its nice and crispy and the fat melts out, usually about 6-8 minutes on medium heat does the trick.

Q: How can I make this dish vegetarian?

A: You can simply leave out the bacon and add a pinch of smoked paprika to give it a smoky flavor even without meat.

Q: Is it really necessary to add lemon zest if i already have lemon juice?

A: Not at all, lemon zest is just extra if you love a stronger citrus kick, so add it only if you prefer that extra zing.

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

If you can’t get a large head of broccoli, you can swap it with cauliflower florets, they cook similarly and add a nice flavor.
If you don’t have Great Northern beans around, you can try using cannellini beans or even navy beans – they work almost the same.
Don’t have bacon? Use turkey bacon or pancetta for a lighter, but still tasty, crunch.
If you’re out of fresh garlic, garlic powder can be a good enough substitute. Use about 1/8 teaspoon per clove.
Instead of lemon juice, a splash of lime juice will give you a similar tang, just be sure you like that twist.

Pro Tips

1. Try not to overcrowd the pan when roasting the broccoli, cuz that lets it steam too much instead of crisp up real nice.

2. When cookin that garlic in the bacon fat, keep the heat pretty low so it doesnt burn, ’cause burnt garlic can ruin the whole flavor.

3. For a little extra zing, don’t skip on adding some lemon zest along with the juice next time you make it.

4. If you’re worried about the beans bein a bit bland, lightly mash them in the skillet so they mix well with the bacon fat and spices for extra flavor boost.