These Green Beans with Bacon and Onions are an easy 20-minute skillet side made with fresh green beans, crispy bacon, sweet onion, and simple seasonings. Instead of blanching the beans in a separate pot, I cook them directly in the bacon drippings so they absorb that smoky, savory flavor while staying tender with a little bite. It's an easy side for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but simple enough to serve with chicken, pork chops, or steak on a weeknight.
Quick Look: Green Beans with Bacon and Onions
- ⏱ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 15 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 20 minutes
- 🍲 Serving: 6 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 115 calories per serving
- 🍂 Flavor Profile: A classic side dish that will remind you of your favorite holiday
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy, the fastest part of your big dinner.
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Green beans are a must-have at our holiday dinners! The fresh vegetable flavor combines with that classic caramelized onions and black pepper flavor for a flavor that takes you back to simpler days. To me, this recipe reminds me of my love for filling up my loved ones while we all sit together during the holidays. It's one of those recipes that simply feels like home.
This old fashioned green beans with bacon and onions is the perfect side for my Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken, my Chicken and Peppers Recipe, and of course my Orange Rosemary Turkey. Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops are another one of my main dishes I would recommend pairing with this these old fashioned green beans and bacon.
If you are loving this recipe and looking for other ways to incorporate green beans into your meals then look no further than my Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh Green Beans: A few common ingredients go a long way for this bacon onion green beans dish. Keep the sides easy so you can focus on the main dish.
- One Skillet: This recipe takes only one skillet so you can save time from doing dishes and instead enjoy some time with friends and family.
- Double Duty Bacon: Bacon is working overtime in this recipe. I use the bacon fat to help cook the dish with ample flavor. The bacon bits are also a delicious salty bite mixed into the veggies.
- 20 minutes: This recipe is meant to be efficient and delicious. Cook this simple side dish in less than 30 minutes to make dinner a breeze.
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"I had to host my first holiday dinner this year and knew I needed help. This recipe made it a breeze to put dinner on the table. Everyone loved the way this brought them back to mom and dad's dinners!"
- Nancy
Key Ingredients
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Green Beans
Look for firm, bright green beans without wrinkled skin or soft spots. Trim the stem ends before cooking. Fresh beans work best because they soften in the bacon drippings without becoming as soft as canned beans.
Onion
Sweet onion caramelizes as it cooks in the bacon fat without giving the dish an overly sharp onion flavor.
Bacon
Dice it before cooking so you get crispy bacon in every serving. Don't discard the drippings because that fat becomes the cooking base for the green beans and onion. The fat is a secret ingredient I have tested over many many years of holidays and family parties.
Flavor Variations
- Use Canned Green Beans: If you are in a pinch, just pull a can of green beans off the shelf and adjust the cook time. Canned green beans with bacon and onions will be softer and be more of a southern style bean recipe.
- Southern Style Green Beans: Go all the way down south by adding a ¼ cup of sugar and ½ cup of vinegar to the beans.
- Spice them Up: Paprika or any other one of your favorite spices added in will help create an even deeper flavor profile.
- Substitute the Bacon: You can use other thin cuts of pork like prosciutto or Canadian bacon. My Sheet Pan Shrimp are a great addition as well.
How to Make Green Beans with Bacon and Onions
Step 1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, sauté the bacon until cooked. Then remove the bacon and set it aside so it stays crisp. Make sure to leave the bacon grease in the pan.
Step 2. Next, add the green beans, onions, garlic powder, and pepper. Allow it all to cook while stirring every couple of minutes until the green beans finish cooking and are fork tender. Once they are done, reduce to low heat. Add the cooked bacon back in, stir and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Keep the Bacon Grease: The bacon drippings are one of the most important parts of this recipe. Cooking the green beans and onions directly in the bacon grease gives them a smoky, savory flavor without needing another cooking oil.
- Skip the Blanching: There's no need to boil the green beans before adding them to the skillet. Cooking fresh green beans directly in the bacon drippings saves time, uses fewer dishes, and allows them to absorb more flavor as they become tender.
- Don't Overcook the Green Beans: I like my green beans tender with a slight bite. Check them toward the end of the cooking time with a fork and remove them from the heat before they become soft or mushy.
- Remove the Bacon: Once the bacon is crispy, take it out of the skillet and set it aside while the vegetables cook. Adding it back at the end keeps the bacon crisp instead of letting it become soft.
Green Bean and Bacon Recipe FAQs
Of course! Frozen green beans work just as well as the ones in the can, or the ones fresh from the store. Be mindful that the cooking time will
No, you do not need to blanch your vegetables. My recipe skips this step to help speed up cooking time and prevent extra dishes. If you want your green beans more firm shorten the cook time by a minute.
This is likely because they are overcooked. Make sure they you lower the heat before they are fully cooked. You want them to still have a slight crunch in the pan as they will continue cooking after being plated and put out for guests.
Yes! You can use them but it will not taste as fresh. I find this dish works best when there is a slight crunch that comes from the fresh green beans. The canned version tends to be softer.
I use traditional pork belly bacon for this recipe. It does not matter if you use a thick cut or a traditional strip. If you want a crunchier bite, you can buy the country style bacon because it dries out better while cooking.
A sweet yellow onion is preferred for this recipe. The mild flavor is perfect for complimenting the dish without over-powering it. This onion is also easy to caramelize, ensuring you get the best flavors forward.
Of course! This is a great recipe to make ahead of the big day to help save you time in the kitchen. It reheats well and can easily be stored in the refrigerator after you make it.
Yes! Every recipe on my website is gluten free and celiac disease friendly. This recipe is naturally gluten-free thanks to the minimal ingredients and natural spices.
What to Serve with Green Beans with Bacon and Onions
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📖 Recipe
Green Beans with Bacon and Onions
Video
Ingredients
- 12 oz green beans fresh
- 6-8 pieces Bacon diced small
- ½ onion diced small
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Salt to taste optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, sauté the bacon until it is crispy and oil is bubbling. Then remove the bacon and set it aside. Make sure to leave the bacon grease in the pan.
- Next, add the green beans, onions, garlic powder, and pepper. Allow it all to cook while staring every couple of minutes until the green beans are fork tender. The onion should be translucent and lightly caramelized.
- Once they are done, reduce to low heat. Add the cooked bacon back in, stir until it is hot and mixed together. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Tips:
- Wash and cut your green beans before adding them to the pan.
- Add sugar and vinegar to create southern style green beans.
Nicky says
Green beans with bacon is turned out so good sidedish easy to put together.
Nicole Kendrick says
So easy to make as a side dish! Enjoy!
Ramona says
This is such a nice, healthy and quick meal that i am definitely going to be making more often when i want something quick and healthy. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to make it!
Nicole Kendrick says
I am so glad it worked as written! Thank you for the great review!
Lora says
I made this for a quick dinner and it turned out so flavorful the bacon and onions bring everything together perfectly. It’s simple, fast, and feels just as good for a holiday table as it does on a weeknight.
Nicole Kendrick says
It sounds like absolute perfection! I am so glad you enjoyed!
Nancy says
Bacon really does make everything better and these green beans prove it. So good!
Nicole Kendrick says
The salty bacon is a perfect touch to go with the green beans! Thank you so so much!
Grace says
The bacon and onions added such a savory depth to the beans. It’s a simple, classic side dish that everyone really enjoyed.
Nicole Kendrick says
I love the touch of onion in this! Thank you for the review!
Jess says
Such a delicious side that was also easy to make!
Nicole Kendrick says
So glad to hear it was easy to make! Have an amazing day!
Valerie says
These green beans with bacon and onions came out smoky, savory, and full of flavor—an easy side that’s always a hit at the table.
Nicole Kendrick says
A perfect side to help take a dinner to the next level! Thanks for the kind words!
Elizabeth says
Such an easy, tasty way to jazz up green beans. They were yummy!!!
Nicole Kendrick says
Glad to hear they were a hit! Thanks for using my recipe! -NK
Irlanda says
My husband loved this green bean and bacon recipe; they came out delicious and easy to make. Thanks!
Nicole Kendrick says
I LOVE the bacon chunks. So glad to hear he has a full belly!
Nicky says
this is one of my favorite side dish ever! I'm learning to cook and your recipe was very useful.
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you so much! I love hearing these great reviews!
Nancy says
I had to host my first holiday dinner this year and knew I needed help. This recipe made it a breeze to put dinner on the table. Everyone loved the way this brought them back to mom and dad's dinners!
Nicole Kendrick says
I couldn't agree more! Thank you so much, Nancy!! I wish you all the best! -NK