Quick & Easy Southern Bacon And Green Beans Recipe for Busy Nights

Quick & Easy Southern Bacon And Green Beans Recipe for Busy Nights 🥓🌱⏱️

1. Introduction

Are you looking for a delicious and comforting side dish that’s incredibly quick and easy to make, even on the busiest of weeknights? Look no further than this Southern Bacon and Green Beans recipe! This down-home, classic dish masterfully combines the savory, smoky goodness of bacon with the fresh, vibrant taste of green beans, creating a flavorful and immensely satisfying meal that the whole family will undoubtedly love. It’s perfect as a simple side, adding a touch of Southern charm to any dinner, or even enjoyed as a light but fulfilling main course. This easy bacon green beans recipe has earned its place as a beloved staple in Southern cooking, and for very good reason!

With just a handful of simple, readily available ingredients and minimal prep time required, you can bring an authentic taste of the South right to your table in just minutes. This quick Southern green beans recipe is not only impressively convenient but also remarkably versatile, allowing for easy customization to suit your personal preferences. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of delightful heat or a dash of smoked paprika to amplify that irresistible smoky flavor. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned cook with years of experience or you’re just starting out on your culinary journey, this southern style green beans with bacon recipe is guaranteed to become a frequent, go-to favorite that you’ll turn to time and time again. If you like easy and quick recipes, check out our other recipes!

2. Why This Recipe Works

This recipe truly shines because it achieves a perfect balance between incredible flavor and unparalleled convenience, making it ideal for busy individuals and families. The magic lies in the rendered bacon fat, which infuses the green beans with a deep, rich, and smoky flavor that’s almost impossible to resist. It’s a deceptively simple dish that masterfully highlights the natural, fresh flavors of the green beans themselves, while simultaneously adding a wonderful salty, savory depth contributed by the bacon. Another key factor is the quick preparation time, making it perfect for those hectic weeknights when time is of the essence. The easy bacon green beans recipe utilizes commonly found ingredients, meaning a delicious Southern-inspired side dish is always within reach whenever the craving strikes. For more like this, explore our dinner category.

3. Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a splash of apple cider vinegar

4. Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Measuring cups and spoons

5. Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it reaches crispy perfection. Remove the bacon from the skillet using a slotted spoon and set it aside, being sure to leave all that glorious rendered bacon fat in the skillet. If you’ve chosen to add onion and garlic, now’s the time to cook them in the bacon fat until they become softened and fragrant, which should take approximately 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add Green Beans

Add the trimmed green beans directly to the skillet, allowing them to mingle with the flavorful bacon fat (and the cooked onion and garlic, if you’re using them). Stir the green beans gently to ensure they are thoroughly coated in the fat, as this will impart maximum flavor. This step is truly where the magic of southern style green beans with bacon really begins to happen!

Step 3: Simmer and Season

Pour the chicken broth (or water) into the skillet, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and then cover the skillet securely. Allow the green beans to cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness – ideally, they should be tender-crisp. Season generously with salt, pepper, and any other optional seasonings you desire, such as red pepper flakes for a touch of spice or smoked paprika for an extra layer of smokiness. Remember, this quick Southern green beans recipe is designed to be easily adapted to suit your individual taste preferences, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Return the cooked bacon pieces back into the skillet and stir to ensure everything is thoroughly combined. Allow the mixture to cook for another minute or two, just to heat everything through evenly. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings further as needed. Serve your amazing Southern Bacon and Green Beans recipe immediately while it’s hot and bursting with flavor. Enjoy every bite! If you’re looking for another quick dinner, why not try our cheddar broccoli potato soup or our chicken potato soup?

6. Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Dish

• Always opt for the freshest, crispiest green beans you can find to achieve the best possible texture and flavor.
• Avoid overcrowding the skillet; if necessary, cook the green beans in batches to ensure they cook evenly and retain their vibrant color.
• To create an even smokier flavor profile, consider using smoked bacon instead of regular bacon, or simply add a dash of smoked paprika to the dish.
• If you prefer your green beans to be softer, simply cook them for a slightly longer amount of time until they reach your desired consistency.
• Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar right at the very end of cooking will impart a bright, tangy flavor that beautifully complements the richness of the bacon. You can find more tips at Small Town Woman.

7. Variations and Substitutions

• For a completely vegetarian version of this recipe, simply use vegetarian bacon or omit the bacon altogether. In this case, use a high-quality olive oil for cooking.
• Feel free to add other complementary vegetables to the dish to make it heartier and more substantial. Great options include potatoes, carrots, or corn.
• Experiment with using different types of beans, such as Romano beans or wax beans, to create slightly different flavor profiles.
• If you enjoy a bit of heat, spice things up by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Try our ham and potato soup!

8. Serving Suggestions

This remarkably versatile Southern Bacon and Green Beans recipe makes an excellent side dish that pairs incredibly well with a wide array of main courses. Consider serving it alongside grilled chicken, juicy pork chops, or a succulent cut of beef. It’s also a fantastic addition to any potluck gathering or barbecue spread. For a truly complete and satisfying meal, serve it with a side of warm cornbread or creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy this easy bacon green beans as an integral part of a well-rounded and satisfying dinner. Try another easy soup such as the sausage and sweet potato soup, or the slow cooker baked potato soup.

9. Conclusion

This Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans recipe provides you with a truly fantastic way to savor a flavorful and comforting dish, even on those nights when you’re short on time and energy. The delightful combination of savory bacon and tender-crisp green beans creates a classic Southern flavor that’s simply hard to beat. With just a handful of readily available ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have this incredibly delicious side dish ready to grace your table in no time. Whether you choose to stick closely to the classic recipe as written or decide to add your own personal twist, this southern style green beans with bacon is destined to become a beloved family favorite that will be requested again and again. So, gather all your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to experience and share a truly authentic taste of the South! For a lighter option, have it as a lunch with a cup of potato leek soup or some carrot potato soup!

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