Finishing you greens won’t be a problem with this green beans and bacon recipe. Punchy apple cider vinegar and garlicky onion soup mix takes this southern classic to new heights.
Jump to Recipe“That’s not fair! Everything tastes better with bacon”
-Peas
Are Green Beans & Bacon Southern?
Southern cuisine does have a long history of using green beans in dishes, often in combination with other ingredients like bacon, ham, or onions.
And in many parts of the South, green beans are a staple crop and are commonly served as a side dish at meals. But, you can find a green beans and bacon recipe anywhere in the country.
My parents where yankees, but they raised us in the south, and one of my favorite things they would cook is this green beans and bacon recipe.
The vinegar really adds such a bold flavor. As a kid I didn’t know why I liked it so much, but that tangy sour apple cider vinegar has always stuck with me. And Bacon, obviously bacon…
Southern or not, this is some tasty sh*t.
*Here’s a fun map of the countries who produce the most green beans. The USA isn’t even in the top 10, let alone the south. Seems green beans are more Chinese than anything. Who woulda thunk it?!
Canned vs Fresh
A tale as old as time. I remember my mother reading me bedtime stories about the painful agony of choosing fresh or canned beans. Or am I thinking about the one with Jack climbing a beanstalk?
Canned green beans are pre-cooked and then preserved in a can with liquid, usually water and/or salt. This makes them higher in sodium.
They are convenient and have a long shelf life, but they don’t have that great crunchy texture that fresh green beans have.
Fresh green beans are just that – fresh! They have a crisp, crunchy texture and a bright, green color. Fresh green beans are generally lower in sodium and do not contain any additives or preservatives. They tend to be more flavorful but obviously have a shorter shelf life and require more preparation.
I say go fresh when you can young man.
Green Beans & Bacon
Green Beans & Bacon Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this green beans and bacon ingredients.
- Green Beans: We prefer fresh beans when we can get them. They take a bit longer to cook, but we love that snap we get from a fresh bean. However, canned beans work just fine in a pinch.
- Bacon: Maple bacon adds a nice flavor to this already flavorful green beans and bacon recipe. Substitute pancetta for a real pinky’s out experience.
- Brown Sugar: gotta have a little sweet in there.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: The secret ingredient that will make this recipe a staple for generations to come. You’re welcome.
- French Onion Soup Mix: Yup, grab a packet and bring on the flavor party.
- Onion: Don’t let your beans party alone. You need to add some onions to soak up all those wonderful juices. We prefer white, but red and yellow work fine.
How to Make Green Beans & Bacon
Here’s how to make this green beans and bacon recipe.
Step 1: Bacon Bacon Bacon, it’s Bacon!
Fry the bacon in a large skillet or dutch oven. Once the bacon is almost done, remove it and transfer to a paper towel to cool. Add diced onions and garlic to dutch oven and sauté in the bacon fat. 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Sauté your veg
Add green beans, brown sugar, vegetable stock, apple cider vinegar, and the onion soup mix packet. Bring to a boil, and adjust the heat to a simmer.
Simmer for 25-30 minutes, until green beans are fully cooked but still have a slight crunch. Crumble the bacon and add it back to the skillet. Stir to incorporate.
Step 3: Combine & Simmer
Season with more salt & pepper to taste. Now, serve these puppies along side mashed potatoes, a nice roast, at a BBQ, or just grab a spoon and smash the entire bowl for a meal. You savage.
Green Beans & Bacon Leftovers
Go around the table shaming everyone that didn’t get seconds of this beautiful dish. Remind them it’s a delicacy and threaten to never cook for them again.
If that doesn’t work, store the leftover green beans and bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last 4-5 days.
Don’t make ahead of time and freeze for later. It’ll kill any crunch the green beans have and people won’t like you for that. We should all want people to like us.
What to Serve with Green Beans & Bacon
Green beans and bacon is a classic flavor combination that is always a hit at the dinner table. But if you’re wondering what to serve with this tasty dish, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Normally you’ll find them as a side dish alongside a protein like roast chicken, grilled steak, or baked salmon. We think they also go great next to our Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin Recipe.
If you’ve never used a sous vide don’t worry! It’s so easy and the results are amazing. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Another option is to turn green beans and bacon into the star of the show by serving them as a main course. One way to do this is to toss the green beans and bacon with some pasta, like spaghetti or penne, and a simple sauce made from olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Or, you could serve the green beans and bacon over a bed of quinoa or rice, along with some sliced tomatoes or a simple green salad on the side
No matter how you choose to serve green beans and bacon, it’s always a good idea to round out the meal with some bread or rolls to soak up any extra sauce or juices, and a crisp green.
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