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Looking for a simple side dish that truly packs in flavor? It’s all about Bacon Green Beans to get the family to eat their veggies. Sautéed in minutes and sizzling with bacon goodness, you can enjoy them with a quick meal on a busy weeknight, but it also is a recipe worthy of a place on your holiday dinner menu!
Why You’ll Love Bacon Green Beans
I love green beans. I love my family. But the combination of the two can be a challenge. One likes them crisp, the other likes them tender. One prefers them left whole, another wants them cut into small pieces. But this recipe is one that they can all agree on.
Why? I’ll tell you!
- Packed with nutrients. This is what mom loves – they are low in cholesterol and a great source of fiber. Plus they contain high amounts of Vitamins B, C, and K.
- Quick to prepare. While you par-boil those beans, you can cook the bacon. Then it’s just minutes to toss it all together.
- Perfect flavor and texture. They are boiled till crisp-tender before they are added to the skillet, so they aren’t too crunchy or too soft. And the bacon plus a pinch of dried herbs really amps up the level of deliciousness.
- Suitable for many diets. This dish is naturally gluten free and well as low carb. You can replace the butter with ghee or oil and choose a brand of bacon without added sugar to make it paleo-friendly.
Recipe Ingredients
These bacon green beans are sure to become a staple in your collection of favorite side dish recipes. They are fast and easy to make and only have a few simple ingredients. You might already have everything you need in your kitchen. So let’s get started!
- Green beans – you can use whole green beans or cut them shorter. Frozen green beans can also be substituted, just thaw first or boil a few minutes longer.
- Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so I can control the amount of salt, especially since bacon is salty. If you want to make this paleo or Whole 30 compliant, use ghee.
- Olive oil
- Bacon – regular pork bacon is the best, but if necessary you can use turkey bacon. Be sure to use keto and/or paleo-friendly bacon, if needed.
- Dried savory – if you don’t have this herb, dried thyme or sage would also be delicious.
- Salt
How to Make Bacon Green Beans
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details. But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
Boil the beans. Snip 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the ends of the beans and boil in salted water. Drain thoroughly.
Cook the bacon. Heat the butter and olive oil in the skillet, add bacon that has been cut into pieces, and cook until crispy.
Toss it together. Heat the butter and olive oil in the skillet, add bacon that has been cut into pieces, and cook until crispy.
Serve and enjoy. Now you can put the sauteed green beans right onto plates to serve if you are making these for a quick weeknight meal. Or transfer to a serving bowl for a sit-down dinner for the holidays or another special occasion. Keep reading for menu ideas!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook this ahead and reheat it later either in the microwave or warmed up in a pan on the stove.
You can also pre-boil and dunk beans in an ice bath. They will stay fresh when stored in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days. Then just add to the pan after cooking the bacon, as directed in the recipe.
Can the recipe be doubled?
Yes, you can double the batch of bacon green beans. You’ll just need to use a larger skillet.
Recipe Variations
- Saute mushrooms with the bacon.
- Add a little crunch by tossing in sliced almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts, or your favorite nuts.
- Chopped tomatoes or halved grape tomatoes give it a little pop of fresh flavor.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese at the end. You can even toss in a little goat cheese, feta, or blue cheese.
Make it a Meal
From a simple dinner to a special meal, these bacon green beans are a versatile option you can serve with many meals. Here are some idea for what to serve them with.
- Quick Weeknight Dinner. Whip up some Honey Balsamic Steak Bites or Barbecue Chicken and have it with a scoop of Brown Rice.
- Sunday Supper. Treat the family to Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf with Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes.
- Small Thanksgiving Dinner. Serve them as a side to your Slow Cooker Turkey Breast along with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Apple Butter Cornbread.
- Holiday Feast. This dish will complete your menu of Glazed Ham along with Scalloped Sweet Potatoes and Apples and Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash.
More green bean recipes
- Lemon White Wine Green Beans and Mushrooms
- Balsamic Green Beans with Cranberries
- Pineapple Glazed Green Beans with Pecans
- Creamy Green Beans and Mushrooms
- Orange Cranberry Green Beans
- Garlic Green Beans from Eazy Peazy Mealz
Bacon Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 7-8 slices bacon (about 3.5 oz.), cut into pieces
- 1 teaspoon dried savory (or thyme)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Fill a pot about halfway with water and add a good pinch of salt. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil.
- Wash green beans and snip off about 1/4- to 1/2-inch from the ends.
- Add the beans to the boiling water and boil for about 5 minutes until crisp tender (longer if you like them softer). Drain.
- While the beans are boiling, add butter and oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add the chopped bacon pieces and cook until browned and slightly crispy.
- Add the beans, savory or thyme, and salt to the pan and toss to coat.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to your preferred texture.
Did you make this?
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Delicious addition to our Thanksgiving meal. Thanks.