Green Beans and Bacon

Name: Green Beans and Bacon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh green beans; 1 pound bacon (diced); 1 1/4 teaspoon salt (divided); 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 cup chopped pecans; 1/2 cup brown sugar (divided); 1 Tbsp water

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Green Beans and Bacon are a twist on traditional green beans. The beans themselves are super tasty and flavorful because you sauté them in the bacon grease and season with salt and pepper. Top with smoky, crumbled bacon, sweet, candied pecans, and a subtle brown sugar glaze to make everybody eat their veggies.

An overhead shot of green beans and bacon in a white braised. There is a small bowl of pecans on one corner and a small bowl of salt and pepper on the oven.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is simple, tasty, and fast. What's not to love about green beans bacon and brown sugar! You're going to enjoy having this simple side dish to accompany a pressure cooker ham, smoked turkey breast, instant pot chicken or air fryer salmon. They are also the perfect addition to your mashed potatoes and stuffing on Thanksgiving. You'll love these bacon green beans because:

The ingredients are simple and the flavor is big.
It is a refreshing change from the traditional green bean casseroles.
The recipe takes under 30 minutes from start to finish.

About The Ingredients

The ingredient list is simple for these tasty little beans. Everything you need for these southern green beans can be purchased at your local grocery store. Here are a few items to note:

Bacon, green beans, pecans, brown sugar, and salt and pepper on a marble counter.

Fresh green beans - when choosing green beans, choose green beans that are long and stiff, about the width of a pencil and flexible. They should “snap” when broken. Avoid limp green beans or beans with a tough skin. You can find varieties of pre-washed and trimmed green beans at the grocery store if you want to save a few steps.
Bacon - I like more of regular cut bacon, rather than thick cut, because I like my bacon crispy. When buying bacon, look for slices with long veins of lean pink meat and a relatively small amount of fat.
Pecans - For this recipe you can use pecan halves or chopped pecans. I prefer the chopped slightly more because they are easier to eat.
Pantry items - you'll also need a few pantry items for this recipe like brown sugar, salt, and pepper.

A complete list of ingredients and amounts for these bacon green beans can be located in the recipe card below.

How Do I Make Green Beans and Bacon?

Let me give you the run down. This dish is easy, but produces gourmet results!

Candied Pecans

Step 1: Add pecans to your in a large skillet.

Step 2: Add in brown sugar and salt.

Step 3: Add in water

Step 4: Cook over medium heat until sugar is melted and nuts are toasted. Transfer to a plate to cool.

Bacon being cooked and green beans being trimmed.

Preparations

Step 5: Cut your bacon into half inch pieces.

Pro Tip: Freeze the bacon for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting. This makes it easier to cut the bacon without it sliding around or stretching on your cutting board. Do Not freeze completely or it will be very difficult to cut.

Step 6: In the same skillet cook bacon until crisp over medium high heat. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Leave bacon grease in pan and set aside.

Step 7: Snip the ends of your green beans.

Pro Tip: How to snip ends fast - grab about 15 to 20 beans, then place them on the cutting board. Line them up lengthwise. Make sure all the ends of the beans are touching the edge of your knife. Cut off the ends with a knife. Quickly flip the beans the other way, and then push them towards your knife blade and line them up again. Slice off the opposite ends. Repeat until all beans are trimmed.

Step 8: Blanch 2 pounds green beans in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain.

Making The Beans

Step 9: Add blanched green beans, salt and black pepper to pan and cook in bacon grease about 5 minutes.

Step 10: Toss in brown sugar and gently toss until sugar is dissolved and beans are coated.

Step 11: Add in nuts and cooked bacon, warm thru and coat with glaze.

Step 12: Transfer to a serving platter. Serve immediately.

Green beans can bacon being lifted off of the serving tray.

Variations

Amp up the heat - I love sweet and spicy, so add some red pepper flakes to the nuts while your cooking them. ¼ teaspoon should do the trick.
Swap the beans for Brussels sprouts - you can use this same recipe for Brussels sprouts and it is equally delicious!
Omit the Sweet - if you like a more savory dish, you can omit the brown sugar and pecans, and instead add some olive oil, diced onion, and minced garlic to the beans. The flavors or garlic and onion pair well with the bacon.

Pro Kitchen Tips

Freeze the bacon for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting. This makes it easier to cut the bacon without it sliding around or stretching on your cutting board. Do Not freeze completely or it will be very difficult to cut.
How to snip green bean ends fast - grab about 15 to 20 beans, then place them on the cutting board. Line them up lengthwise. Make sure all the ends of the beans are touching the edge of your knife. Cut off the ends with a knife. Quickly flip the beans the other way, and then push them towards your knife blade and line them up again. Slice off the opposite ends. Repeat until all beans are trimmed.

A half shot of a white braiser filled with candied green beans. There is a small bowl of salt to the side.

FAQs

Are green beans healthy?

While this recipe adds brown sugar and bacon, beans are one of the healthiest foods you can consume, because they are rich in soluble fiber. Fiber combats inflammation and fat accumulation.

Can I use canned green beans or frozen green beans in this recipe?

We recommend using fresh green beans in this recipe. Canned green beans will become mushy during the cooking process of this recipe.

How do I store this recipe?

If you have leftovers, you can store these southern style green beans in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can reheat in the microwave.

Need Some Other Side Dish Ideas?

Are you looking for delicious side dishes to complete your feast? We have tons of ideas! Check out:

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