These Green Beans with Bacon and Onion are the ultimate Southern-style side dish. Crispy bacon, tender green beans, and sweet caramelized onions come together in one skillet for a comforting, crowd-pleasing recipe. Whether you’re serving them for a holiday meal or an easy weeknight dinner, this is one veggie dish that always disappears fast.
If you are looking for a new way to cook your green beans, try my Spicy Green Beans recipe and my Parmesan Green Beans. Both are family favorites.
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Why Green Beans with Bacon and Onion Recipe is a Keeper
This great side dish is packed with flavor and simple to make — it’s one of those no-fail sides you’ll make again and again.
- Flavor Powerhouse: The combination of smoky, salty bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and the fresh snap of green beans is a timeless trio that delivers a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Effortless Elegance: This dish looks and tastes more complex than it is. It’s an easy way to elevate a simple meal and impress your guests without a lot of effort or a long ingredient list.
- Versatility: It pairs well with almost any protein, from a simple roasted chicken to a holiday ham. It’s a go-to side dish that you can rely on for any occasion
What Kind of Bacon Should I Use for Green Beans with Bacon?
Use whatever bacon you have or like. Applewood smoked bacon can add a lovely sweetness to this green beans with bacon recipe. You could also use bacon bits as a shortcut.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Such an easy way to elevate our green beans – love the bit of sweet with salty”
~ Jane V.
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Pro Tip for Southern Style Green Beans
Render the bacon slowly. Start with a cold pan and cook bacon over medium heat to get it super crispy and release plenty of flavorful fat. This step sets the stage for the best-tasting beans.
Ingredient Notes For Fresh Green Bean Side Dish
This green beans and bacon recipe uses easy-to-find staples, and the flavor payoff is huge.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Green Beans: It’s best to use fresh green beans for texture and color but you can also use frozen green beans or use canned green beans for this recipe. If using frozen, thaw and drain before using, or you may have to cook the beans a few more minutes.
- Bacon: Thick-cut slices offer the most flavor and texture. Avoid pre-cooked bacon.
- Onions: Sweet yellow onions soften beautifully in the bacon fat and add great flavor.
Variations and Substitutions for Fresh Green Beans with Bacon
This bacon and green beans flavorful side dish is super adaptable. Here’s how to make it so that you love this recipe.
- Greens: You can use other vegetables in place of or in addition to the green beans, such as haricots verts (French green beans), asparagus, or even sugar snap peas.
- Pork: Pancetta is a fantastic substitute for bacon, offering a slightly milder, saltier flavor. For a vegetarian version, you can omit the bacon entirely and use a good quality olive oil to cook the onions, then add some toasted nuts (like almonds or pecans) for crunch and flavor.
- Flavor Boosts: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten the flavors. You can also toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Onions: Yellow or sweet onions are standard, but a shallot or two can add a more delicate, subtle onion flavor.
- Add Garlic: Sauté minced garlic with the onions for an extra layer of flavor.
How to Make Green Beans with Bacon and Onion
This bacon green beans recipe comes together in 4 easy to follow steps. This easy side dish is so good, it’s in my weekly meal rotation. Check out the nutrition information in the recipe card.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Blanch the Beans: Bring a pot of water to a boil, add green beans then blanch the green beans until crisp-tender. Remove green beans, drain and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon. Let bacon drain on paper towels, and save about a tablespoon of grease in the skillet.
- Diced Onion: Sauté the onion in the bacon grease until tender. Stir in the brown sugar, pepper and green beans.
- Finish the Green Beans: Cook until the green beans are glazed and cooked through. Top with crumbled bacon.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Green Beans and Bacon
Save time by prepping key ingredients early for southern style green beans.
- Blanch the Green Beans: You can blanch the green beans up to a day in advance. Cook them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain them well and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Chop the Onions: The onions can be chopped a few hours ahead of time. Chopped onion can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Pre-Cook the Bacon: Crisp bacon and store in an airtight container; reheat in the pan before adding beans.
Alternate Cooking Methods for this Side Dish Recipe
Switch up this easy recipe with these other methods:
- Baking: You can make this dish in the oven for a hands-off approach. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp, then drain it and reserve the drippings. Toss the green beans and onions with the drippings, season them, and spread them on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, until the beans are tender.
- Steaming: For an even faster method, you can steam the green beans until they are crisp-tender, then toss them with the already-cooked bacon and onions right before serving.
- Slow Cooker: Layer ingredients in slow cooker with a bit of broth or butter and cook on low for 4–5 hours for a softer, Southern-style result.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers Southern Green Beans
Leftovers? You’ll be glad you have them. There are so many ways to store and adapt this flavorful side dish.
- Store: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat to help crisp up the bacon and warm the green beans. You can also use a microwave, but the bacon may lose some of its crispy texture.
- Use Leftovers: Leftover green beans with bacon and onions are delicious cold in a salad. You can also chop them up and add them to an omelet or a frittata for a savory breakfast.
Common Questions About This Old Fashioned Green Beans
Sure! For a vegetarian version, cook green beans and use olive oil or butter and add a bit of smoked paprika or liquid smoke for that bacon-y flavor.
Yes just use a larger pan or work in batches so the beans cook evenly and crisp up instead of steaming.
Expert Tips to Cook Fresh Green Beans
- Don’t Drain All the Fat: When you remove the cooked bacon, leave a couple of tablespoons of the rendered fat in the pan. This is where a lot of the flavor comes from and is perfect for cooking the onions.
- Get the Onions Just Right: Cook the onions over medium heat until they are soft and slightly caramelized. This process brings out their natural sweetness, which balances the saltiness of the bacon.
- Blanching is Key: Blanching the green beans ensures they are perfectly cooked and maintain their vibrant green color. It’s a quick step that makes a huge difference in the final result.
- Season Last: Since the bacon is already salty, add salt and pepper to taste at the very end of the cooking process.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve with Brown Sugar Carrots with Bacon, Easy Turkey Pot Pie or Bacon Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese.
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Green Beans with Bacon and Onion
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh green beans
- 3 slices Bacon
- 1 small Onion, chopped
- 3 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
Instructions
- Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender.
- Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp.
- Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside.
- Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in skillet.
- Saute onion in bacon drippings over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or until tender.
- Stir in brown sugar, pepper and blanched green beans.
- Cook for 5 minutes or until beans are glazed and heated through.
- Serve with crumbled bacon on top.
Christina’s Notes
- Cook bacon low and slow: This gives you crispy bacon and rich, flavorful drippings.
- Use a hot pan for beans: Searing them a bit adds great texture.
- Add sweetness or spice: A pinch of sugar or red pepper flakes takes it to the next level.
- Don’t skip seasoning: Even simple ingredients need salt and pepper to shine.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
Such an easy way to elevate our green beans – love the bit of sweet with salty.
Fabulous! A simple upgrade to a traditional side thatmakey it next-level delicious. Love these green beans!