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Green beans with bacon is one of those simple, comforting side dishes that somehow always gets attention. Growing up, when bacon came along, any vegetable immediately became more interesting, but honestly, nothing has changed.
This stovetop green bean recipe yields crisp-tender green beans, perfectly cooked bacon, and a buttery, flavorful finish that’s straight out of a steakhouse, but it’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Whether you’re preparing a holiday dinner or putting together a quick weeknight meal, these Skillet Green Beans and Bacon provide big flavor with little effort.
easy green bean recipe
I grew up eating green beans, but they weren’t always green; my green beans were purple. They are slightly sweeter than regular mung beans, but otherwise taste the same and turn green when cooked.
Every summer when I see purple beans, I think of family, home, and gardening. We worked long hours in that garden, but not as long as my superwoman mother. My hands turned purple all summer from picking and canning beans, and I had to scrub them after I was done. Isn’t it funny how something you hated as a child somehow becomes nostalgic?
Read more: Looking for an easy side? Try our classic Bacon Stuffed Baked Beans next.
Why you’ll love these bacon green beans
Quick: Side dishes need to be quick and easy to make, and this dish comes together in less than 20 minutes. Flavorful: It can’t be bland when it has bacon in it. Additionally, adding garlic seasoning makes the dish more flavorful. One Skillet: Cleanup is easy and all the flavor is in one dish. Holiday Friendly: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter…this dish is suitable for all. This is a staple on our Sunday table!
Materials needed
To make this simple green bean recipe, you’ll need:
Fresh green beans: They add crunch, natural sweetness, and last longer when sautéed without turning mushy. Olive oil: Prevents sticking, cooks beans evenly, and adds a light, savory flavor. Butter: Adds a rich, smooth coating and helps the seasonings stick to the beans. Garlic Spread Seasoning: An easy way to add garlic and herb flavor without chopping garlic. Brown sugar: Balances the salty bacon and seasonings and lightly caramelizes the beans for added flavor. Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty crunch, and bacon drippings add flavor to the beans while cooking.
How to make green beans and bacon
Cook the green beans: Place the trimmed green beans in a pot of boiling water. Boil the green beans until they are bright green and soft. Pro tip: It’s important to boil the water first, as adding the beans too early will take longer to cook and result in mushy brown beans. Blanch: Using a stainless steel spider strainer (this is our favorite), remove the green beans from the pot and place them directly in the ice bath. Cook the bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Transfer bacon to a plate. Once cool enough, break it into small pieces. Mix: Add the green beans to the same skillet you cooked the bacon in. Add a little oil and butter and fry until hot and flavorful, garnish with bacon crumbles and serve.
How to prepare fresh green beans
If you are using fresh beans, fold the ends, making sure to pull on the “string” attached to the stem (you will notice that when you try to “break” off the stem, a fibrous string will come off along the side, similar to the strings on celery).
You can leave the green beans out longer, but I prefer to snap them once or twice, as they’re actually easier to eat.
How long does it take to boil raw green beans?
This easy green bean recipe involves cooking fresh green beans in boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes. Then drain the beans and immediately place them in an ice bath to avoid further cooking. The result is bright green, crispy, and tender green beans.
Frequently asked questions about green beans
An ice bath is used during cooking to quickly stop the cooking process. Don’t skip the green beans, as they continue to cook and are less appetizing. An ice bath also keeps the green beans bright green, but overcooking them can dull the color and result in brownish beans.
Yes, this recipe can be made with fresh or canned green beans. If you use canned green beans, be sure to use a large pot as they will need space to avoid turning mushy in the pot when sauteed. Skip boiling and ice baths completely.
Green beans can be made ahead of time by following a few simple steps.
1. Boil the green beans as usual, but shorten the time to about 3 minutes.
2. Drain the beans from the water, place them in an ice bath, and as soon as they cool, remove them to dry on paper towels.
3. Store partially cooked beans in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
4. Next, make the fresh green beans and bacon according to the recipe instructions.
Green beans can be frozen if they are blanched beforehand. Prepare the green beans as you would any pre-made green beans. Put it in a bag and seal it, removing the air. Place the bag flat in the freezer and freeze.
Green beans can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 year. Prefers to eat within 6 months unless using a food saver. We should seriously become their ambassadors with how much we talk about it!
Tips for making sautéed green beans and bacon
If you don’t have garlic spread seasoning on hand, feel free to use another favorite seasoning blend. Or, keep it simple and use regular garlic powder (you don’t need 2 teaspoons). I used regular pork bacon in this easy green bean recipe, but feel free to use your favorite type. Green beans with bacon can be eaten immediately while the bacon is still crispy. However, leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop in a skillet.
What to Serve with Fresh Green Beans and Bacon
I mentioned earlier that these green beans are perfect for a quick side dish for the holidays or weeknights. Here are some ideas for main dishes to serve with.
Storage and reheating
Green beans with bacon should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored for up to 5 days. I like to reheat it in a skillet on the stove to crisp up the bacon again.
I hope these green beans and bacon find their way to your table and become one of the recipes your family requests over and over again. It’s a simple dish, but sometimes it becomes everyone’s favorite. Whether an easy holiday side dish or a quiet weeknight at home, these green beans add a little comfort, a little nostalgia, and plenty of flavor.
More easy side dish recipes:
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Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water.
Wash the beans, break off the ends, break them into small pieces and place them in a pot of boiling water.
1 pound green beans
Cook for 4-5 minutes and place in an ice bath.
Cook the bacon until crispy and remove to a plate lined with paper towels, reserving the bacon fat.
3-4 slices bacon
Add butter to a frying pan with bacon grease, adding a little oil if needed.
1 teaspoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons butter
Place over medium heat and add green beans, brown sugar, and seasonings.
1 pound green beans, 2 teaspoons garlic spread seasoning 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Crumble the bacon and return to the skillet (you can soak up any excess oil or leave some on for added flavor).
Serve immediately.
If using canned green beans: Add the green beans directly to the skillet after the bacon is cooked, without boiling. Proceed as normal.
Read the post above for frequently asked questions about green beans. It can be stored in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
Provided by: 1g, calorie: 135kcal, carbohydrates: 9g, protein: 4g, fat: 10g, Saturated fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated fats: 1g, Monounsaturated fats: 4g, Trans fat: 0.1g, cholesterol: 16mg, sodium: 1295mg, potassium: 274mg, fiber: 3g, sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 851IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, calcium: 45mg, iron: 1mg
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should only be used as a rough guide.
