Bacon-Onion Green Beans

Fresh green beans are easy to make and even easier to eat when covered in bacon bits and onions that have been sauteed in apple cider vinegar and bacon drippings.

This easy green bean side dish is a regular on our farmhouse table at holiday meals like Thanksgiving and for easy family meals all throughout the year.

Green Beans With Bacon and Onion

When fresh green beans that have been cooked to crisp-tender are smothered in bacon and onion bits eating more vegetables gets easier! This veggie side dish always get compliments.

We often make a big batch and reheat the leftovers for a quick lunch through the week. Fresh green beans topped with bacon and onion reheat very well in the microwave!

For everyday meals we love serving these beans with Mozzarella Chicken, Mini Cheeseburger Meatloaves or a simple slider like these Italian BMT Sliders.

The green beans cook for 6 – 8 minutes in boiling water at the same time the bacon is frying and the onion is being cooked. This recipe comes together very quickly and holds well when covered in foil in a warming drawer on in a crock pot on keep warm.

The bacon and onion mixture is given even more flavor when cider vinegar is stirred in. All of these flavors complement fresh green beans so nicely!

In the summer when the garden is producing well, we are always looking for easy recipes to make with fresh tender green beans. Instant Pot Sausage, Potatoes and Green Beans are a favorite meal, but green beans with bacon makes a great side dish for Marinated Grilled Pork Chops or almost any grilled meat.

Thanksgiving Green Beans

These green beans are so simple to make, but the flavor profile is sophisticated and reminds me of steakhouse quality green beans.

Since this side dish is upscale it’s perfect to serve at Thanksgiving along with other classic side dishes like Grandma’s Dressing Recipe, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Souflee, Baked Vegetable Medley, Country Corn Casserole and Jiffy Corn Pudding.

We like to make some extra bacon and use it in the Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball which fits on the holiday table as a great appetizer.

Should Green Beans Be Cut Up Before Using?

Green beans can be boiled whole or cut into bite sized sections first. Personal preference is the best way to make this decision.

Shorter pieces of green beans are easier to dip a serving spoon into and get a neat spoonful out. Shorter pieces are also easier for kids to eat, as there is less cutting that they have to do on their own plate.

Full green beans are longer and typically need to be cut before taking a bite. Whole green beans look more elegant in the serving dish and can be quicker to prepare.

Can Canned Green Beans Be Used?

Yes, canned green beans can be used and enhanced by smothering them in this bacon and onion mixture.

Green beans from a can should be drained and cooked according to the directions on the label before mixing in bacon and green beans.

How Long to Boil Green Beans

Freshly picked and cleaned green beans should be placed in a pot covered in water, covered on medium high heat. Once the pot starts to boil uncover and boil for 6 to 8 minutes for crisp-tender green beans. Boil for 10 – 12 minutes for more tender green beans.

Sometimes we pick up a bag of fresh green beans at the grocery store and the directions on the back may vary. Since varieties of green beans differ in size, maturity and other traits follow the directions on the bag if applicable.

Ingredients Needed To Make Green Beans with Bacon

• Green beans
• Bacon
• Onion
• Cider vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper

Bacon-Onion Green Bean Recipe

1. Wash, trim ends and break and chop into bite sized pieces if desired. Place in a pot and cover with water and cover. Put on the stove-top on medium-high heat until the water is boiling. Boil green beans uncovered for 6 to 8 minutes until beans are crisp tender.
2. While beans are heating up, fry 8 strips of bacon in a skillet. Set on a plate lined with paper towels and drain all but 1 to 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings from skillet. Crumble bacon or use a knife to chop. Be sure not to burn bacon.
3. Add chopped onion to the skillet lined with bacon grease and saute onion until translucent or slightly see through. Stir in cider vinegar, salt and pepper.
4. When finished cooking drain beans and pour into a 9 x 13″ baking dish. Cover with bacon and onion mixture. Serve as is or stir bacon and onions into green beans.

Tips for Making Green Beans with Bacon

• Bacon can be cut into smaller pieces before or after frying
• Red, yellow or white onion can be substituted for sweet onion
• Green beans can be left whole (once ends are snapped off and cleaned) or they can be cut into bite-sized pieces before cooking
• Bacon and onion mixture can be stirred into green beans or poured over the top of the pan of green beans.
• Be sure to choose tender green beans for the best finished product
• Cover with foil and keep warm in a warming drawer on low, the bacon drippings help keep the dish moist

Other Classic Farmhouse Side Dish Recipes:

• Farmhouse Baked Mac & Cheese is one of my all-time favorites!
• Crock Pot Dressing
• Traditional Cornbread Dressing
• Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
• Baked Pineapple and Cheese Casserole