Bacon Green Beans are a super simple and flavorful side dish to add to any meal. Fresh green beans with toasted garlic, crispy bacon and just a bit of brown sugar are a guaranteed hit. Easy enough for any day of the week and delicious enough for holiday dinners and celebrations.

Green beans are easy to cook and can be so flavorful, you know I live by the mantra that bacon makes everything better! I make Almond Green Beans often and for the holidays we always have green bean casserole but this recipe is definitely earned a spot on the favorites list.

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Bacon Green Beans:

Fresh or Frozen Green Beans
Bacon, drippings reserved
Minced Garlic
Brown Sugar
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper

How to Make Bacon Green Beans:

Cook bacon in the oven or in a skillet, drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside. Reserve drippings.

Wash and trim green beans if needed.

Bring a pan of water to a boil and add green beans, cooking for about 8 – 10 minutes, until tender.
Drain green beans into a colander.

Dry the pan and add 1 tablespoon bacon drippings with minced garlic.
Cook over medium heat until garlic starts to toast.

Add green beans, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Use tongs to toss green beans in brown sugar mixture, cooking 2- 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and top with crumbled bacon.
Serve immediately.

How to Store and Reheat:

Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until heated through.

Can you use frozen or can green beans?

Frozen green beans will work best if you don’t have fresh, use the same cooking method. Can green beans will work also, just skip cooking the green beans in water.

How to Make Green Beans Taste Better:

Green beans can be mushy and bland if they are over cooked. Fresh or frozen green beans do not have to cook for hours, actually just a few minutes in boiling water and then a few minutes in the skillet with butter or bacon drippings will add lots of flavor. When they are not over cooked, green beans have more flavor and a much better texture.

They are delicious when seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can also be added for more flavor. Bacon is my favorite way to spice up green beans and also adds a delicious crunchy texture.

Serve these green beans as a side dish for Garlic & Herb Prime Rib, Cajun Smoked Turkey or everyday dinners like BBQ Meatloaf or Fried Chicken Strips. A great addition to just about every dinner.

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Rectangle white platter with cooked green beans topped with crispy crumbled bacon

These Bacon Green Beans are the tastiest green beans we’ve ever made. Even my pickiest eater loved them and I’m pretty sure this was the first time I’ve ever seen him eat green beans! Add this recipe to your dinner plans this week and let us know what you think!

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bacon green beans on a white platter with plaid napkin

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5 from 1 vote