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Bacon Green Beans

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. These French Peas are also great for the holidays.

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Bacon Green Beans on a platter with text overlay

Ingredients for Bacon Green Beans:

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:

cooked bacon on a paper towel
Green beans on a cutting board, trimmed
  • Wash and trim green beans if needed. 
Cooking green beans in boiling water
  • 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. 
Skillet with bacon drippings and toasted garlic
  • Dry the pan and add 1 tablespoon bacon drippings with minced garlic. 
  • Cook over medium heat until garlic starts to toast.
Green beans in a skillet with toasted garlic and brown sugar
  • Add green beans, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Use tongs to toss green beans in brown sugar mixture, cooking 2- 3 minutes.
Platter of green beans topped with crispy bacon
  • 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. 

Bacon and green bean side dish on a platter - overhead view

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. 

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

Best Vegetable Side Dishes

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!

IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE AS MUCH AS I DO, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND A FIVE STAR REVIEW, AND BE SURE TO HELP ME SHARE ON PINTEREST!

bacon green beans on a white platter with plaid napkin
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Bacon Green Beans

Bacon Green Beans cooked with toasted garlic and brown sugar, topped with crispy bacon for a fantastic side dish that will elevate any meal.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Vegetables
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Arkansas green beans, easy green beans, green beans, how to cook fresh green beans, how to cook frozen green beans
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 133kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces green beans fresh or frozen
  • 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon reserved bacon drippings or butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Wash and trim green beans if needed.
  • Bring a pan of water to a boil and add green beans. Cook for about 8 – 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain green beans into a colander and dry the pan.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon drippings to the pan and add garlic. Cook over medium heat until garlic starts to toast.
  • Add drained green beans, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Toss green beans in brown sugar mixture and continue to cook about 2- 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and top with crumbled bacon.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 773mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g

2 Comments

  1. We made this recipe this past Thanksgiving with a few tweaks. A bit more bacon, a little garlic, a bit less brown sugar and a hint of parmesan cheese. Came out fabulous and most delicious! Will be making them again; especially since it can be difficult to get the little ones to eat their green vegetables!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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