Easy Green Beans with Bacon: The Ultimate Holiday Side Dish Recipe

Green Beans with Bacon is a simple yet incredibly flavorful holiday side dish that your guests will absolutely adore. Fresh green beans are perfectly cooked – whether sautéed, steamed, or roasted – and then tossed with savory crispy bacon, aromatic garlic, and rich butter. This classic combination creates a side that’s not only easy to prepare but also irresistibly delicious, making it perfect for Thanksgiving, the Christmas season, or any special occasion.

Green Beans with Bacon: A Holiday Table Essential

As the holiday season approaches, the search for the perfect side dish begins. While traditional favorites hold their charm, it’s always exciting to introduce new and exciting flavors to your festive spread. This Green Beans with Bacon recipe offers a delightful twist on classic green beans, transforming a simple vegetable into a standout dish that complements any main course, from a roasted turkey to a glazed ham.

Imagine tender-crisp fresh green beans, infused with the rich, smoky flavor of crispy bacon, brightened by fragrant garlic, and finished with a touch of luxurious butter. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience that will have your family and friends asking for the recipe. It’s an elegant addition that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen, making your holiday meal prep much smoother.

There are countless ways to prepare green beans for the holidays, from Green Beans with Toasted Almonds to Southern Style Green Beans, or simply steamed to perfection. However, the addition of savory, crispy bacon takes this dish to an entirely new level. The umami from the bacon perfectly balances the slight bitterness of the green beans, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive flavor profile that truly shines.

Why You’ll Love This Green Beans with Bacon Recipe

• Effortlessly Delicious: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is incredibly simple and quick to prepare, perfect for busy holiday menus.
• Irresistible Flavor Combination: The pairing of fresh, crisp green beans with smoky, salty bacon, aromatic garlic, and rich butter is a timeless classic for a reason.
• Holiday Ready: A beautiful and crowd-pleasing addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any festive gathering.
• Versatile & Customizable: Easily adaptable to your taste preferences with various delicious additions.
• Fresh Ingredients Shine: Emphasizes the natural goodness of fresh green beans, enhanced by simple, quality ingredients.

Key Ingredients for Your Savory Green Beans

You only need a few simple ingredients to create this delectable side dish:

• Fresh Green Beans: The star of the show! Look for bright green, firm beans that snap easily. Haricots verts (French green beans) are a great choice for their tender texture and quicker cooking time, but standard green beans work just as well.
• Bacon: Choose a good quality bacon. Thick-cut bacon adds a more substantial texture and flavor, but regular bacon is perfectly fine. The crispier, the better!
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and finishing the beans, adding a healthy fat and subtle flavor.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is crucial here. It provides an aromatic depth that elevates the entire dish.
• Butter: A touch of butter at the end adds a luxurious richness and helps coat the beans and bacon beautifully.
• Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors.

Mastering Fresh Green Beans: Selection and Preparation

The key to an outstanding green bean dish starts with selecting and preparing your beans properly. While canned or frozen green beans can be used in a pinch, fresh green beans offer superior flavor and texture that truly make a difference in this recipe.

Choosing the Best Green Beans

When selecting fresh green beans at the market, look for:

• Vibrant Color: They should be a bright, healthy green, not dull or discolored.
• Firm Texture: Avoid beans that are limp or rubbery. They should feel firm to the touch.
• Crisp Snap: A truly fresh green bean will snap cleanly when bent, rather than bending or feeling soft.

Types of Green Beans

You generally have two main choices:

• Regular Green Beans: These are the most common variety, typically about 4-6 inches long. They are versatile and widely available.
• Haricots Verts (French Green Beans): These are thinner, longer, and more delicate than regular green beans. They cook faster and have a slightly sweeter, more tender texture, making them a premium choice for this dish. Adjust cooking times accordingly if using haricots verts.

Preparation Steps

1. Rinse Thoroughly: Always wash your green beans under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Trim the Ends: “Snapping” the ends (both stem and tail) is a common method, or you can use a knife to trim them. For a uniform presentation, trimming is preferred. There’s no need to string them as most modern varieties are stringless.
3. Pat Dry: After washing, pat the green beans thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is especially important if you plan to sauté or roast them, as excess moisture can prevent browning and lead to steaming instead of crisping.

Can Green Beans Be Made Ahead?

Yes, absolutely! This is a fantastic time-saving tip, especially during the busy holiday season. You can pre-cook your green beans a day or two in advance. Cook them until they are just tender and bright green (al dente). Immediately plunge them into an ice bath or rinse under very cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color. Once cooled, drain them well and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Store them in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to serve, cook the bacon and garlic as directed, then add the pre-cooked green beans and butter to the skillet. Heat everything through for just 2-3 minutes, allowing the butter to melt and the flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving warm. This method ensures fresh-tasting green beans without the last-minute rush!

How to Cook Fresh Green Beans to Perfection

The beauty of green beans lies in their versatility. There are several methods to cook them, each yielding a slightly different texture and flavor. For this recipe, the final step involves sautéing them with bacon and garlic, but the initial cooking method for the beans can vary based on your preference.

STEAMING: A classic method for vibrant, tender-crisp beans.

Add a small amount of water (about 1 inch) to a pot and bring it to a boil. Place your trimmed green beans in a steamer basket above the boiling water, or directly in the pot with a lid tightly sealed. The lid helps capture the steam, cooking the green beans evenly. Steam for 5-7 minutes for regular green beans, or 3-5 minutes for haricots verts, until they are bright green and just tender (al dente). You don’t want to overcook them into mushy oblivion! Once steamed, you would then heat olive oil in a large skillet, sauté the garlic, and then add in the green beans and the cooked bacon for the final delicious toss.

Pros: Retains nutrients, vibrant color, tender-crisp texture.
Cons: Less inherent flavor development compared to roasting or sautéing directly.

SAUTÉING: For a slightly browned, flavorful exterior.

You can also sauté the green beans from raw. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron works wonderfully here!) over medium-high heat. Add the trimmed green beans and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and just tender with a slight char, about 7-10 minutes for regular beans, or 5-7 minutes for haricots verts. From here, you can directly add in the minced garlic and the cooked, chopped bacon to finish them off, letting the flavors meld in the pan.

Pros: Develops a deeper flavor and slight caramelization on the beans.
Cons: Can sometimes result in uneven cooking if the pan is overcrowded.

ROASTING: For a softer, sweeter bean with concentrated flavor.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). On a baking sheet, drizzle your trimmed green beans with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the beans are slightly tender and a little shriveled or browned at the edges. This method creates a softer green bean with a more concentrated, sweet flavor. After roasting, you would then add them to a skillet with sautéed garlic and crispy bacon for the final combination. Here is a great recipe for roasted green beans as an example.

Pros: Deep, sweet, caramelized flavor; hands-off cooking.
Cons: Softer texture, longer cooking time.

How to Prepare Green Beans with Bacon: A Simple Guide

Follow these easy steps to create your perfect batch of Green Beans with Bacon:

1. Prepare the Green Beans: Start by thoroughly washing your fresh green beans. Trim or snap off the stem ends and any tough tails. Pat them completely dry with paper towels to ensure they cook evenly and can absorb the flavors better.
2. Cook the Green Beans: Choose your preferred method for cooking the green beans until they are tender-crisp. I personally favor steaming them as described above to maintain their vibrant color and delicate crunch. Once steamed, immediately rinse them under cold water or plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside.
3. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet (a cast iron skillet is excellent for even cooking), cook the bacon over medium heat until it is beautifully crispy. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes, depending on thickness.
4. Drain and Chop Bacon: Once crispy, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with two paper towels to drain any excess grease. Pour out most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving just about 1-2 tablespoons for flavor. Chop the crispy bacon into bite-sized pieces.
5. Sauté Garlic: Return the skillet (with the remaining bacon grease) to medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
6. Combine and Finish: Add the pre-cooked green beans, chopped crispy bacon, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Heat everything together for about 3-4 minutes, tossing gently, until the butter is melted and the green beans are thoroughly warmed through and coated in all the delicious flavors.
7. Season and Serve: Taste the dish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve warm immediately and watch it disappear!

Flavorful Additions and Variations for Your Green Beans

While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly versatile! Don’t hesitate to get creative and customize it to your liking. Here are some of my favorite additions and variations to consider:

• Crispy Fried Onions: For extra texture and a savory onion kick, stir in some store-bought crispy fried onions (like the kind used for green bean casserole) during the last minute of cooking.
• Sweet Brown Sugar: A pinch of brown sugar can add a delightful caramel note, especially if you like a touch of sweetness to balance the savory bacon. Add it with the butter.
• Diced Tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes (or sun-dried tomatoes for a more concentrated flavor) can add a burst of color and acidity. Add them towards the end of cooking.
• Shallots: Sauté finely diced shallots with the garlic for a milder, more delicate onion flavor.
• Toasted Nuts: Toasted slivered almonds, pecans, or walnuts add a lovely crunch and nutty depth. Toast them lightly in a separate dry pan before adding to the green beans.
• Lemon Zest or Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest at the very end can brighten the flavors and add a refreshing tang.
• Red Pepper Flakes: If you enjoy a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
• Fresh Herbs: Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, chives, or thyme for added freshness and aroma.
• Parmesan Cheese: A light dusting of grated Parmesan cheese can add a salty, umami boost just before serving.

Helpful Kitchen Items for This Recipe:

These tools can make preparing your Green Beans with Bacon even easier:

Double Boiler (or a simple steamer basket for your pot)

Cast Iron Skillet (great for cooking bacon evenly and finishing the beans)

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I earn a small percentage of sales on those items, and it helps me to run my website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon?

Yes, you can substitute turkey bacon for pork bacon if you prefer. Just be aware that turkey bacon tends to be leaner and may not render as much fat, so you might need to add a little extra olive oil when sautéing the garlic and green beans.

How do I prevent my green beans from becoming soggy?

The key is not to overcook them initially. Whether steaming, sautéing, or roasting, cook them until they are just tender-crisp (al dente). If steaming or blanching, immediately cool them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Also, ensure they are thoroughly patted dry before adding them to the skillet with the bacon and garlic, especially if you’re looking for a slightly crisp texture.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, typically this Green Beans with Bacon recipe is naturally gluten-free, assuming all your ingredients (green beans, bacon, olive oil, garlic, butter, salt, pepper) are pure and not processed with gluten-containing additives. Always check ingredient labels if you have severe gluten sensitivities.

Can I use pre-minced garlic?

While fresh garlic offers the best flavor, pre-minced garlic can be used for convenience. Just be aware that its flavor can be slightly less potent, so you might want to add a bit more.

What can I serve this with?

This side dish pairs wonderfully with almost any main course. It’s fantastic with roasted chicken, turkey, ham, pork loin, or even a simple steak. It’s a staple for holiday feasts but also a great addition to a weeknight meal.

Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.

Tap to rate the recipe

No ratings yet

Green Beans with Bacon

By
Julia Jolliff

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

10 minutes
mins

Total:

20 minutes
mins

Servings:

6
servings

Save
Saved
Pin
Print

Green Beans with Bacon is a simple holiday side dish that your guests will love.

Ingredients

• ▢
  2 pounds of fresh green beans, stems and ends removed
• ▢
  1/2 pound bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
• ▢
  2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ▢
  3 garlic cloves, minced
• ▢
  1 to 2 Tablespoons butter
• ▢
  salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Start by washing the green beans and pull the end and stems off of them. Pat them dry with paper towels.
• Steam your green beans by boiling a small amount of water in a pot or using a double boiler. Cook until just tender and bright green and then quickly rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
• In a large cast iron or non-stick skillet heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes. Add the bacon into the skillet and cook until crispy.
• Remove the bacon and place on two paper towels to remove the grease. Chop the bacon and add it back to the skillet.
• Add the green beans and the butter to the skillet.Heat everything for an additional 1-2 minutes to melt the butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Notes

• You can also add other mix-ins like crispy or fried onions, shallots, brown sugar and diced tomatoes.
• To steam the beans, add a small amount of water to a pot and add the green beans along with a lid. When you bring them to a boil the lid will help capture the steam and cook the green beans. Once the green beans are steamed you would then heat olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the garlic. Then add in the green beans and the cooked bacon.
• You can also sauté the green beans by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and cook, until they are bright and just tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. From here you can add in the garlic and the cooked, chopped bacon to finish them off.
• You can also sauté the green beans by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and cook, until they are bright and just tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. From here you can add in the garlic and the cooked, chopped bacon to finish them off.
• To roast the beans, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper on the green beans and roast until the beans are slightly shriveled, about 20-25 minutes. This version will create a softer green bean.

Nutrition

Calories:
265
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
12
g

,

Protein:
8
g

,

Fat:
22
g

,

Saturated Fat:
7
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
3
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
11
g

,

Trans Fat:
0.1
g

,

Cholesterol:
30
mg

,

Sodium:
275
mg

,

Potassium:
400
mg

,

Fiber:
4
g

,

Sugar:
5
g

,

Vitamin A:
1116
IU

,

Vitamin C:
19
mg

,

Calcium:
61
mg

,

Iron:
2
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?
Mention @acedarspoon or tag #acedarspoon!