The Best Southern Bacon And Green Beans Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Southern kitchens buzz with delightful bacon and green beans that bring comfort to every plate.

Crisp green beans mingle with smoky bacon pieces, creating a classic side dish bursting with regional flavor.

Farmers markets and home gardens provide the freshest ingredients for this simple recipe.

Skilled cooks know that quality produce makes all the difference in traditional southern cooking.

Skillet-sizzled bacon adds a rich, savory dimension to tender green beans.

Generations have cherished this straightforward yet delectable combination of ingredients.

You can whip up this mouthwatering dish in mere minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Prepare to savor a taste of southern hospitality on your dinner table.

What Makes Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans So Tasty

• Savor Southern Comfort: Dive into a classic Southern dish that brings warmth and nostalgia to your dinner table with minimal effort.
• Maximize Flavor with Minimal Ingredients: Transform simple green beans into a mouthwatering side dish using just a few pantry staples and bacon's magical touch.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Enjoy a hassle-free cooking experience that minimizes cleanup and maximizes deliciousness, perfect for busy weeknight meals or casual gatherings.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust the recipe to suit your taste by playing with seasonings or adding extra ingredients like sliced almonds or red pepper flakes for a personal twist.

Ingredients for Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans

• Bacon: A flavorful and crispy meat that adds richness and depth to the green bean dish.

• Green Beans: Fresh green beans that provide a crisp texture and nutritional value to the recipe.
• Onion: A aromatic vegetable that adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish.

• Brown Sugar, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper: Spices that enhance the overall taste and create a balanced flavor profile.
• Chicken Broth, Salt: Liquid and seasoning that help develop and intensify the dish's savory notes.

How to Prepare Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans

Step 1: Sizzle The Bacon

Toss chopped bacon into a large skillet and cook over medium heat.

Let the bacon dance and crisp up until golden brown.

Once perfectly crunchy, scoop out the bacon pieces and set them aside on a paper towel.

Step 2: Caramelize The Onions

Using the same skillet with leftover bacon drippings, drop in diced onions.

Stir and cook the onions until they become soft, translucent, and slightly golden, which takes about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3: Introduce Green Beans

Slide green beans into the skillet with the caramelized onions.

Toss and stir the beans to coat them with the flavorful bacon grease.

Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

• Brown sugar
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Chicken broth

Stir everything together, allowing the ingredients to mingle and create a delicious sauce.

Step 5: Simmer And Reduce

Continue cooking the green beans until they reach a tender consistency.

Let the liquid reduce and create a glossy coating on the beans.

Step 6: Final Touch

Taste and add salt as needed.

Gently fold the crispy bacon pieces back into the skillet.

Serve hot and enjoy the southern-style green bean magic.

Pro Tips for Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans

• Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve perfect crunchiness without burning, ensuring maximum flavor and texture.
• Use the same skillet after cooking bacon to sauté onions in bacon grease, which intensifies the overall dish's rich, savory profile.
• Add chicken broth sparingly to create a light sauce that enhances green beans without making them soggy or waterlogged.
• Taste and adjust salt carefully since bacon is already salty, allowing the brown sugar to provide a subtle sweet-savory balance.
• Replace bacon with smoked paprika and olive oil to maintain a similar depth of flavor for those avoiding meat.

Variations for Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans

• Vegetarian Green Bean Medley: Replace bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon for a plant-based protein alternative, using olive oil instead of bacon grease.
• Spicy Cajun Green Beans: Add cayenne pepper, paprika, and Cajun seasoning to create a zesty flavor profile with a kick of heat.
• Low-Sodium Southern Style: Use turkey bacon, reduced-sodium chicken broth, and skip added salt while incorporating fresh herbs like thyme for extra flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Green Bean Skillet: Swap brown sugar with erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, use extra bacon, and add butter for increased fat content while maintaining low-carb requirements.

Serving Suggestions for Southern Bacon and Green Beans

• Rustic Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty green bean dish with classic southern fried chicken or slow-roasted pulled pork for a comforting meal that screams home-style cooking.
• Weekend Brunch Twist: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, crispy hash browns, and buttermilk biscuits to create a delightful southern-inspired breakfast spread that will energize your morning.
• Potluck Showstopper: Bring this recipe to community gatherings or family reunions where its rich flavors and familiar ingredients will surely win compliments and empty serving plates quickly.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the green beans with grilled chicken strips or sliced steak to transform this side dish into a complete, protein-packed main course that satisfies hunger and taste buds.

Storage Tips for Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Green beans can be frozen for 2-3 months without losing significant texture or flavor.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water, cover loosely. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, maintaining bacon's crispy texture.

FAQs

• Are green beans the main ingredient in this Southern recipe?

Green beans are the primary vegetable, complemented by crispy bacon and savory seasonings that create a classic Southern side dish.

• Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?

Fresh green beans work best, but you can use frozen green beans. Just adjust cooking time and ensure they are thawed and drained before adding to the skillet.

• Is this recipe considered a healthy side dish?

While delicious, the dish contains bacon and bacon grease, which adds calories and fat. For a lighter version, you can reduce bacon quantity or use turkey bacon.

• What makes this a Southern-style green bean recipe?

The combination of bacon, onions, and simple seasonings cooked in bacon grease is a traditional Southern cooking method that adds rich, robust flavor to the green beans.

Quick & Easy Southern Bacon And Green Beans Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern comfort finds its soul in this hearty bacon and green beans dish, blending rustic flavors with simple Southern charm. Crisp bacon and tender green beans mingle perfectly, inviting you to savor a classic side that speaks directly to home-cooked happiness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced

Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Liquid:

• 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and render bacon pieces until golden and crisp, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Utilize the remaining bacon drippings to sauté diced onions, stirring frequently until translucent and softened, approximately 4 minutes.
3. Add green beans to the skillet, tossing them in the aromatic bacon fat to coat evenly and promote caramelization.
4. Sprinkle brown sugar, garlic powder, and freshly cracked black pepper across the beans, creating a complex flavor profile.
5. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, allowing the liquid to gently simmer and help steam the green beans to tender perfection, around 8-10 minutes.
6. Reduce heat and continue cooking until the liquid minimizes and creates a light glaze coating the vegetables.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, ensuring balanced flavors throughout the dish.
8. Reintroduce the crispy bacon pieces, gently folding them into the green beans to distribute the smoky, crunchy elements.
9. Transfer to a serving dish, allowing the warm beans to showcase their southern-inspired preparation.

Notes

• Choose thick-cut bacon for richer flavor and crispier texture that holds up well when mixed with green beans.
• Trim green bean ends and cut into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness.
• Instead of discarding bacon grease, use it as a flavorful cooking medium to enhance the overall dish’s depth and richness.
• For vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain a similar smoky profile without meat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg