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Green Beans with Bacon

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Green Beans with Bacon are so super simple to make and absolutely delicious! They make it to every Thanksgiving and Christmas without fail because they are THAT good. Try them once and you’ll be totally hooked.

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans

 

Crisp, fresh bacon green beans are cooked in a sauce of bacon grease and brown sugar until piping hot. I mean… how can you go wrong with that?

I have made green beans and bacon many times… actually I’ve made them TWICE in just one week before. And both times… they were quickly demolished. 

So irresistible.

To make fresh green beans with bacon you only need 5 ingredients! Super simple!

I love that they only take about 20 minutes to whip up too. Which is very important on my holiday cooking days!

And they can be made in one pot! No need to blanch the green beans or pre cook them. They cook right in the same pan as the bacon.

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans - frying bacon in a skillet

 

Ingredients for Green Beans with Bacon

I love being able to count the ingredients on one hand!

  • Bacon: Any type of bacon will work. I have tried a few different flavors and really like the maple kind in this recipe.
  • Water: Not sure if this should even be counted in the ingredients!
  • Sugar: Brown sugar will give your green beans a depth of flavor that you’ll absolutely love.
  • Season Salt: Lots of different types of season salt out there. Any will work!
  • Green Beans: Pick the freshest you can find and snap the ends off!

Pro Tip: Have kids? Let them do the bean snapping for you! It saves you time and it’s fun for them too!

How to Pick Fresh Green Beans

Here’s what to check for to know you’re getting the freshest green bean!

  • Color: Fresh green beans have a very bright green color. Make sure the green beans don’t have any brown spots or look dull.
  • Texture: The green beans should be smooth to the touch.
  • Snap: Most important of all! If the green bean bends like a rubber band, it’s not the one you want. When you bend the green bean and it snaps, buy it!

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans - bacon draining on a paper towel

 

How to Cook Fresh Green Beans with Bacon

  • Bacon: Don’t overcook the bacon! This is vital. You’ll be cooking it again with the beans so slightly undercooked is perfect.
  • Beans: Toss the rest of the ingredients in now.
  • Eat: Eat them hot and drizzled with bacon and sauce. It’s Amazing.

Can You Use Bacon Bits in This Recipe?

Actually… you can! Here’s how:

Skip ahead to the water and brown sugar step as you don’t need to cook the bacon.

Instead of bacon grease, use 1 Tablespoon of butter. Pretty simple actually an a nice swap if you don’t have time to cook the bacon!

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans - water, brown sugar and season salt in skillet with bacon grease.

 

Are Green Beans Legumes?

Technically, green beans aren’t beans at all. They are in fact only legumes.

Think of it this way.

 Legumes are a big broad leaf, and under that leaf are many different things, including beans and things that aren’t beans.

Therefore beans such as black beans and pinto beans are legumes. And green beans are legumes too. But green beans aren’t beans.

So why are they called beans? I believe because the people who named them wanted us all to be confused. And it worked.

Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?

They can! Green beans are healthy for both you and your dog so share the love!

That being said, brown sugar should not be fed to your dog, so don’t feed this green bean and bacon recipe to your dog once it’s cooked.

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans added to brown sugar mixture.

 

Can I Make Green Beans with Bacon Ahead of Time?

Yes, though green beans can become more mushy the longer they sit.

Some people actually like their green beans that way, so if you are one of them. Make ahead of time!

If not, I recommend making the day you want to eat them and using precooked bacon to save on time.

How to Store Green Beans with Bacon

Store green beans with bacon covered in the fridge for 3-5 days.

They will become more mushy the longer you let them sit. 

So I recommend eating as quickly as possible. Considering their yumminess… that shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans - bacon added to green beans

 

Can You Freeze Green Beans with Bacon?

Yes!

Allow the beans to cool completely before placing them in a bag or freezer safe container.

Store with the bacon and sauce for up to six months.

Can You Eat Green Beans Raw?

Yes, you can eat green beans raw and straight off the vine.

I find though that when I serve them with bacon and brown sugar, my vegetable picky eaters are much happier though.

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans - green beans and candied bacon plated up on serving tray.

 

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Beans?

Guinea Pigs can enjoy green beans in moderation.

If the green beans are raw, it is perfectly safe to give your guinea pig one or two beans a couple of times a week.

Can Cats Eat Green Beans?

Cats can eat green beans and since they contain so much fiber, they can be good for their digestion too!

Give cats only 4-5 beans a day.

Cats can eat raw beans but some cats may have a hard time digesting them raw.

If you find that to be true, steam your green beans before feeding to your cat.

Chopping the green beans up small can also help.

Can Rabbits Eat Green Beans?

As many avid gardeners can attest, rabbits can, and do eat green beans!

If your little rabbit seems interested too, you can safely feed them green beans.

The green beans should be up to one cup for every 4 pounds of weight.

If your rabbit has never had green beans before, introduce them slowly.

Green beans can cause gas and digestion trouble when introduced too quickly or in large amounts.

 

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans - side view of bacon and green beans on plate

 

More Green Bean Recipes You’ll Love…

Main Dishes You’ll Love…

 

Green Beans with Bacon are absolutely DELISH! I love serving them at Thanksgiving and Christmas because I get rave reviews every time I do. Let me know what you think in the comments! Enjoy!

 

Yield: 6 Servings

Brown Sugar & Bacon Green Beans

zoomed out view of cooked green beans on plate

Green Beans with Bacon are so super simple to make and absolutely delicious! They make it to every Thanksgiving and Christmas without fail.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 - 10 slices of uncooked bacon
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon season salt
  • 2 pounds fresh green beans, ends trimmed off

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in a skillet until cooked through but not crisp.
  2. Remove bacon from skillet and set aside.
  3. Add to skillet with bacon grease: water, brown sugar and season salt.
  4. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved.
  5. Add green beans and mix around.
  6. Chop of bacon into small pieces and add to green beans.
  7. Cook over medium low heat for approximately 10 minutes, stirring and rotating green beans regularly.
  8. Once green beans are cooked through, place on a platter and pour bacon and syrup over the top.
  9. Serve immediately

Notes

Precooked Bacon or crumbled bacon can be used instead of uncooked bacon. If using precooked bacon skip to the water and brown sugar step. Add in 1 Tablespoon real butter in replacement of the bacon grease.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 270Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 673mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 4gSugar: 13gProtein: 9g
Originally Posted: September 19, 2018

Text Updated: September 14, 2021

 

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