The Best Easy Green Beans with Bacon: A Flavorful Side Dish for Any Meal
Green Beans with Bacon – a classic recipe that is perfectly suited for special holiday gatherings, yet wonderfully easy and quick enough to whip up for busy weeknights!
As the holiday season approaches, conversations often turn to beloved traditional dishes. For many, Green Bean Casserole takes center stage. And while I certainly appreciate a creamy, crispy green bean casserole, there’s another humble green bean dish that deserves just as much, if not more, attention for its incredible flavor and effortless preparation: Green Beans with Bacon.
This simple yet profoundly delicious side dish offers a mouthwatering combination of smokey, salty bacon, tender green beans, and aromatic additions like onion and garlic. It’s a true comfort food classic, inspired by Southern cooking, and surprisingly versatile. Best of all, it comes together in mere minutes, making it an ideal choice for practically any meal, any time of the year. Forget the fuss, embrace the flavor, and get ready to elevate your green bean game!
Why You’ll Love This Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Beyond its undeniable deliciousness, there are many reasons why this Green Beans with Bacon recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:
- Uncomplicated & Quick: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have this savory side on your table in about 20 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a quick, healthy, and satisfying accompaniment.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of crispy, salty bacon, sweet sautéed onions, pungent garlic, and tender green beans creates a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and sophisticated. The bacon grease infuses every bite, adding depth that’s hard to resist.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: While it shines brightly as a holiday side dish (it’s a fantastic alternative or complement to traditional casseroles), its ease makes it suitable for everyday family dinners, potlucks, or even a simple Sunday lunch.
- Uses Pantry Staples: Starting with frozen green beans means you don’t have to wait for fresh beans to be in season. You can enjoy this dish all year round using readily available ingredients.
- A Crowd-Pleaser: This dish has a universal appeal. Even picky eaters are often won over by the enticing aroma and savory taste of bacon-infused green beans.
The Secret to Flavorful Green Beans with Bacon
The magic of these green beans lies in a few key techniques and ingredients that elevate them from ordinary to extraordinary. This recipe starts with readily available frozen green beans, which is a fantastic shortcut without sacrificing taste. The secret to transforming these humble frozen beans into a gourmet-level side dish lies in the flavorful foundation we build.
By rendering the bacon first, we create a rich, savory fat base in the pan. This bacon grease isn’t just oil; it’s a flavor powerhouse that will beautifully coat and infuse every green bean. Adding finely chopped onions and minced garlic to this flavorful fat allows them to caramelize slightly, releasing their sweet and aromatic essences. These aromatics are crucial for building layers of complex taste that complement the green beans and bacon perfectly.
This method is a quick and easy take on a classic Southern-style preparation, where simple, fresh ingredients are cooked down to create deep, comforting flavors. The result is a dish that is robust, satisfying, and brimming with the kind of home-cooked goodness that makes you want to reach for seconds.
Key Ingredients for the Best Green Beans and Bacon
You’ll be delighted by how few ingredients are needed to create such a spectacular dish. Each component plays an important role in building the rich, savory flavor profile.
- Bacon: The star of the show! Thick-cut bacon works wonderfully here, providing substantial pieces and plenty of fat for rendering. Use a good quality bacon for the best flavor. About 3 slices are perfect for this recipe, yielding crispy bits and enough grease to sauté the aromatics.
- Green Beans: This recipe utilizes a 12 oz bag of frozen green beans. Opting for frozen means convenience and year-round availability. Make sure to thaw and drain them thoroughly before cooking to prevent excess water from diluting the flavor.
- Onion: A small amount of finely chopped onion, sautéed until soft and translucent, adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth that complements the savory bacon. Yellow or white onions work well.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential. It provides a pungent, aromatic kick that brings all the flavors together. Always add garlic towards the end of the sautéing process to prevent it from burning, which can turn it bitter.
- Butter: A tablespoon of butter added at the end contributes a silky richness and rounds out the flavors, giving the dish a luxurious finish.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings are all you need. Taste and adjust to your preference. Remember that bacon is already salty, so season judiciously.
How To Make Green Beans With Bacon: Step-by-Step Guide
For precise measurements and detailed instructions, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
Preparing Your Ingredients
Before you begin cooking, ensure your frozen green beans are thawed and thoroughly drained. This prevents excess water from steaming the beans instead of allowing them to get a nice sauté. Also, finely chop your onion and mince your garlic, and cut your bacon into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Cooking the Bacon to Perfection
- Cut your bacon into small pieces (about ½-inch to 1-inch) and place them in a cold skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is beautifully crispy and all the fat has rendered. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the crispy bacon pieces from the pan and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. This will help drain any excess grease, keeping them perfectly crisp.
- Carefully pour out most of the rendered bacon grease from the skillet, leaving approximately 1 tablespoon behind. This flavorful fat will be the base for sautéing your aromatics.
Sautéing Aromatics
- Add the finely chopped onions to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they become soft, translucent, and slightly golden. This process usually takes about 3-5 minutes, unlocking their sweet flavors.
- Once the onions are mostly cooked, stir in the minced garlic. Continue to cook for just about one minute, or until you can really start to smell its fragrant aroma. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can quickly turn bitter.
Combining Flavors
- Now, add the thawed and drained green beans to the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through, slightly tender-crisp, and have absorbed some of the wonderful flavors from the pan. If you prefer softer beans, cook them a little longer.
- Return the crispy bacon bits to the pan along with the tablespoon of butter. Stir everything together and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the butter is completely melted and all the ingredients are hot and well combined.
Final Seasoning
- Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give it a final stir and serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Fresh vs. Frozen Green Beans: What You Need to Know
This Green Beans with Bacon recipe is designed for speed and convenience, often relying on frozen green beans to keep the cooking time under 20 minutes. Frozen green beans are a fantastic choice because they are picked at their peak freshness and flash-frozen, locking in nutrients and flavor. They also require minimal preparation – just thaw and drain!
However, if you have access to beautiful fresh green beans, you absolutely can use them! The key difference will be in the cooking time and a slight adjustment to the method. Fresh green beans are firmer and will take longer to become tender-crisp. Here’s how to adapt the recipe for fresh beans:
- Preparation: Wash your fresh green beans thoroughly, snap off the tough ends, and you can either leave them whole or cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces if desired.
- Pre-cooking: After sautéing the onions and garlic in bacon fat, add your fresh green beans to the pan. Instead of just sautéing them, you’ll want to add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chicken or vegetable broth (or even water) to the skillet.
- Simmering: Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then cover the pan and let the green beans steam and cook until they reach your desired tenderness. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your beans and how tender you like them. Keep an eye on the liquid; if it evaporates too quickly, add a little more.
- Finishing: Once the fresh beans are tender, uncover the pan and let any remaining liquid evaporate. Then, proceed with adding the butter and cooked bacon back into the pan, stirring until everything is hot and seasoned to taste.
Using fresh green beans adds a bit more time but offers a vibrant color and crisp texture that many adore. Both fresh and frozen options yield a truly delicious result, so choose whichever suits your preference and availability!
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Green Beans with Bacon are incredibly versatile and can accompany a wide range of main courses. They are a staple on holiday tables, offering a welcome savory green vegetable alongside roasted turkey, ham, or prime rib. Many compare the flavors to the famous Texas Roadhouse green beans, and indeed, they share that same comforting, hearty appeal!
For a complete and delicious meal, consider pairing them with:
- Holiday Feasts: Alongside your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham.
- Classic Comfort Food: Perfect with roasted chicken, meatloaf, or pork chops.
- Steak or Seafood: A wonderful contrast to a juicy steak or pan-seared salmon.
- Southern Inspired Dishes: They are a natural fit for anything from BBQ ribs to fried chicken.
- Don’t forget to serve them with these amazing Texas Roadhouse Rolls for an authentic copycat meal experience!
Tips for Success
- Crispy Bacon is Key: Don’t rush the bacon-cooking process. Start with a cold pan and cook over medium heat to allow the fat to render slowly, resulting in perfectly crispy bacon bits.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When sautéing the onions and garlic, and then the green beans, ensure your skillet isn’t too crowded. This allows for proper sautéing and browning instead of steaming.
- Thaw and Drain Green Beans Well: If using frozen green beans, ensure they are fully thawed and drained of any excess water. This prevents the dish from becoming watery and allows the beans to get a nice sauté.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Bacon is salty, so be mindful when adding extra salt. Always taste the dish before adding salt and pepper to ensure it’s perfectly seasoned to your preference.
- Fresh Garlic is Best: While garlic powder can work in a pinch, fresh minced garlic provides a much more robust and authentic flavor profile.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover Green Beans with Bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, or microwave them in short intervals, stirring occasionally. Adding a tiny pat of butter or a splash of water can help maintain moisture if reheating in the microwave.
Variations to Try
While this recipe is perfect as is, you can always experiment with different additions to customize it to your taste:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a touch of heat.
- Tangy Twist: A splash of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice at the very end can brighten the flavors.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme or a sprinkle of dried dill can add another layer of herbaceous flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: A dash of smoked paprika can enhance the smoky notes of the bacon.
- Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions for an earthier profile.
More Tasty Side Dishes
- Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Potatoes Au Gratin
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Sautéed Asparagus
- Mushroom Rice Pilaf
- Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Green Beans with Bacon
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Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 12 oz bag frozen green beans, thawed and drained
- 2 Tablespoons onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cut bacon into small pieces and brown in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove from pan onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
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Pour off most of the bacon grease from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind. This flavorful grease will form the base of your dish.
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Add the finely chopped onions to the pan and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
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Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about one minute more, just until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
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Add the thawed and drained green beans to the pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are hot and tender-crisp.
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Return the crispy bacon and add the butter to the pan. Cook until the butter is completely melted and all ingredients are heated through and well combined.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed after tasting. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 81kcal |
Carbohydrates: 4g |
Protein: 4g |
Fat: 6g |
Saturated Fat: 3g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g |
Cholesterol: 16mg |
Sodium: 243mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 1g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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