You are absolutely going to love these Green Beans with Bacon, the green beans come out at the prefect texture – which is very soft but not falling apart. The bacon flavors the whole pot and the onions, garlic, vinegar, brown sugar and kosher salt send this recipe right over the top!
I tested this recipe SEVERAL times to get the texture and ratios just right and finally nailed it! Pop down to the next section to see all the requirements I had to make sure these were just right.
Jump to:
- Why These Are the BEST Southern Style Green Beans
- Frozen vs. Canned Green Beans
- How To Cook Frozen Fresh Green Beans Southern Style
- Storing
- Serve With a 20 Minute Glazed Salmon
- Green Beans with Bacon FAQ’s
- More Green Bean Recipes
- Did you make this recipe?
- Green Beans and Bacon Recipe
- Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Why These Are the BEST Southern Style Green Beans
You wouldn’t think a green bean recipe would have me so riled up but ooooo weeeee I have some big opinions when it comes to this recipe!! Which is one reason it took me about 6 tries to nail it. Here are my 5 top requirements for the best Green Beans with Bacon, and why you are going to love them…
- Number one – the bacon should not be served crispy with the green beans. The bacon should be cooked AND THEN simmered with the beans. This adds flavor and helps the bacon match the texture of the onions and green beans.
- Number two – the only flavor in the pot should not be the green beans and bacon… let’s add some real layers of FLAVOR!!
- Number three – I want a really balanced mix of salty, savory, tangy and sweet.
- Number four – the green beans should be really soft, but not totally falling apart.
- Number five – black pepper is key in creating layers of flavor here.
Frozen vs. Canned Green Beans
I tested this recipe with both frozen and canned green beans. I have to say that the frozen green beans won by a land slide. You can definitely still make the recipe with the canned green beans, you will just want to reduce the simmer time to about 10 minutes so the beans aren’t falling apart.
Also when I was testing I noted that the canned green beans “can flavor” was really enhanced when they were simmered and mixed with the vinegar. DON’T GET ME WRONG I LOVE canned green beans, just not for this recipe.
How To Cook Frozen Fresh Green Beans Southern Style
Step 1
Cut the bacon strips into ½ inch pieces.
Step 2
Saute in a Dutch Oven until cooked and browned. Leave the bacon and grease in the pot.
Step 3
Now add the onions and saute another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and kosher salt, cook another minute.
Step 4
Pour in the stock and 1.5 tablespoon of the vinegar. Scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add the green beans and stir. Simmer with the lid on for about 20-25 minutes.
Step 5
Remove the lid and lower the heat to medium low. Stir in the butter, brown sugar, black pepper and ½ tablespoon vinegar.
Step 6
Let cook for about another 8-10 minutes, uncovered.
Cool the beans for about 5 minutes. Taste for additional seasoning and serve!
Storing
Let the beans cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll keep well for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You can also reheat in the microwave in 20 second bursts, stirring between.
Serve With a 20 Minute Glazed Salmon
If salmon isn’t your thing there are plenty of other options to pair with the Southern Style Green Beans:
Green Beans with Bacon FAQ’s
The recipe below does a great job of ensuring the green beans don’t over-cook. Using frozen green beans helps keep the beans super tender but intact. If you choose to use canned green beans you will want to reduce the simmer time to around 10 minutes.
Absolutely! And bonus… they get even better with time. Make them completely, cool, then pop in the fridge in a covered container. Reheat gently on the stove top, stirring often.
A regular cut or thick cut bacon is going to work best for Green Beans with Bacon. It will hold up to the longer cooking time. A thin cut bacon could disintegrate quickly into the beans.
More Green Bean Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
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I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me
Green Beans and Bacon Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or large pot with a lid
Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon – regular or thick cut - sliced into ½ inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion - chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt - more to taste
- ¾ cup chicken stock - or broth
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - divided
- 4 cups frozen green beans
- ½ teaspoon black pepper - more to taste
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar - packed
- 2 tablespoon salted butter
Instructions
- Crisp the bacon pieces over medium heat in a Dutch Oven that has a lid.3 strips bacon – regular or thick cut
- Leave the bacon and the rendered grease in the pot. Add the onion and saute for another 5 minutes.1 medium yellow onion
- Add in the garlic and kosher salt, saute for another 1 minute.4 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Pour in the stock/broth and 1 ½ tablespoon vinegar. Scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot. Then add the frozen green beans, stir. Simmer covered for 20-25 minutes – stir occasionally.¾ cup chicken stock, 4 cups frozen green beans
- Lower the heat to medium low and add the black pepper, brown sugar, ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar and salted butter. Give it a good stir and warm for another 8-10 minutes, uncovered.½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoon salted butter
- Remove from the heat and cool for about 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and serve!
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