Green Beans with Bacon

This Green Bean reboot switches out the canned beans for fresh but keeps the smoky bacon and brown sugar. Cook the bacon and blanch the beans ahead of time, and this dish comes together in minutes.

I updated this recipe to take advantage of the gorgeous fresh string beans at the store, especially around the holidays. It’s better than you remember it: bursting with flavor, perfectly sweet, and not a mushy green bean in sight.

Recipe ingredients:

Ingredient notes:

• Green beans: To substitute frozen beans, cook 2 pounds of frozen green beans according to the package directions, plunging in to the ice bath to stop the cooking (or just rinse under cold water).
• Bacon: Chop up the bacon while it’s frozen (firm but not rock-hard). It’s so much easier and less greasy that way.
• Brown sugar: Some recipes call for extra brown sugar. If you like your beans a little on the sweet side, go ahead and add another ¼ cup to the recipe.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. First, trim the stems off the beans by hand or using a pair of kitchen shears.
   
2. To blanch the green beans, heat a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and boil until just tender-crisp (but still vibrant green), about 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how you like your beans.
   
3. Remove the beans from the boiling water and immediately plunge in the ice water bath to halt the cooking.
   
4. Next, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
   
5. When finished, add the brown sugar, a little water, and the blanched beans.
   
6. Bring everything to a simmer and cook until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve hot.
   

Recipe tips and variations:

• Make ahead: The beans can also be blanched a couple days ahead of time, stored in the refrigerator, and brought out on the day you’re eating. You can also pre-cook the bacon (hold on to the bacon and the bacon fat). Reheat the bacon in a skillet so it gets crispy again, then proceed with the recipe.
• Bacon and almonds: Toasted slivered almonds sprinkled in with the beans is a classic Southern variation.
• Onions or shallots: Sauté some chopped red or yellow onions or shallots in with the bacon, taking advantage of the bacon grease to get them nice and toasty, then add the beans. Or top with canned fried onions!
• Vinegar: If you like a little tartness, add a little cider vinegar, white vinegar, or even Balsamic vinegar in with the water. The vinegar will reduce down and flavor everything. If you think you’ve gone too far, add a little extra brown sugar to balance it out.

More vegetable recipes you’ll love:

• Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
• Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Parmesan
• Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

Green Beans with Bacon

An easy recipe for Green Beans with Bacon (and a touch of brown sugar, too). Cook the bacon and blanch the beans ahead of time, and this dish comes together in minutes.

5 from 2 votes

ReviewPrint

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Servings 8 servings (1 cup each)

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 99

Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 pounds green beans stems trimmed (see note 1)
• ▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ▢ 8 slices bacon cut into 1/2" pieces (see note 2)
• ▢ 1/4 cup brown sugar (see note 3)
• ▢ 1/4 cup water

Instructions 

• If using a smaller pot, you may have to blanch the green beans in batches. Set out a large bowl of ice water before blanching the beans.
• In a large saucepan or stock pot, bring 4 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to boil. Add the green beans and boil until tender-crisp, but still bright green, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain well and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Add the blanched beans, brown sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Season to taste. Remove to a serving dish with a slotted spoon.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Green beans: To substitute frozen beans, cook 2 pounds of frozen green beans according to the package directions, plunging in to the ice bath to stop the cooking (or just rinse under cold water). 
2. Bacon: Chop up the bacon while it's frozen (firm but not rock-hard). It's so much easier and less greasy that way.
3. Brown sugar: Some recipes call for extra brown sugar. If you like your beans a little on the sweet side, go ahead and add another ¼ cup to the recipe.
4. Yield: This recipe (with 2 pounds of fresh green beans) makes 8 servings, about 1 cup each.
5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
6. Make ahead: The beans can also be blanched a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. You can also fry the bacon the day before (hold on to the bacon and the bacon fat). Reheat the bacon in a skillet so it gets crispy again, then proceed with the recipe.
7. Bacon and almonds: Toasted slivered almonds sprinkled in with the beans is a classic Southern variation.
8. Onions or shallots: Sauté some sliced onions or shallots in with the bacon, taking advantage of the bacon grease to get them nice and toasty, then add the beans. Or top with canned fried onions!
9. Vinegar: If you like a little tartness, add a little cider vinegar, white vinegar, or even Balsamic vinegar with the water. The vinegar will reduce down and flavor everything. If you think you've gone too far, add a little extra brown sugar to balance it out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 99kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 146mgPotassium: 289mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 785IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg

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