1. 1. Prepare the Green Beans: Start by trimming the ends off the fresh green beans. Rinse them under cold water to ensure they are clean and ready for cooking. Set them aside to drain any excess water.
   2. Prep the Flavor Enhancers: Chop the bacon into small, bite-size pieces. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. These will add a layer of flavor that is key to replicating the Texas Roadhouse taste.

Cooking the Green Beans

3. 3. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat. You’ll want to cook it until it’s crispy and golden brown, which usually takes about 7-8 minutes. Once done, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
   4. Sauté the Aromatics: Using the same skillet, keep the bacon drippings as they’re packed with flavor. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté them in the drippings until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
   5. Simmer the Green Beans: Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet, tossing them well to coat with the bacon drippings, onion, and garlic. Pour in the chicken broth to just cover the beans, then stir in the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and optional crushed red pepper flakes for a slight kick.

3. Season and Simmer: Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes, or until the green beans are tender yet still crisp to the bite.