Southern Style Buttery Green Beans with Crispy Bacon and Onions: Your Perfect Easy Holiday Side Dish
Welcome to a taste of the South with these incredibly flavorful, tender, and savory green beans. Infused with rich butter, smoky crispy bacon, and sweet caramelized onions, this dish is far more than just a simple side; it’s a comforting classic that brings warmth and a touch of rustic elegance to any meal. Whether you’re planning a grand holiday feast or simply seeking an easy yet impressive weeknight accompaniment, these Southern-style green beans are guaranteed to become a family favorite. Best of all, they come together in less than 40 minutes on the stovetop, freeing up valuable oven space for other culinary creations!
This recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes, combining the freshness of green beans with the irresistible crunch of bacon and the aromatic sweetness of onions. It’s a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a wide array of main courses, from roasted chicken to hearty meatloaf. Plus, its stovetop preparation makes it an ideal companion for oven-baked mains like brown sugar honey glazed carrots, ensuring your kitchen runs smoothly without juggling multiple appliances.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless reasons why these buttery green beans with bacon and onions have earned their spot as a beloved staple in many households. From their incredible flavor profile to their straightforward preparation, this dish truly delivers on all fronts:
- Taste: Prepare your palate for a symphony of flavors! Each bite offers tender green beans beautifully coated in a rich, buttery glaze, perfectly complemented by the savory crunch of crispy bacon and the mild sweetness of caramelized onions. The combination is simply divine, creating a harmonious balance that is both comforting and deeply satisfying. It’s a classic flavor pairing that never disappoints!
- Ease: Forget complicated cooking methods or excessive cleanup. This recipe champions simplicity by allowing you to cook everything in sequence, often using just one pot. No oven is required, which is a huge advantage when preparing larger meals, especially during holidays when oven space is precious. The steps are intuitive, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
- Time: Efficiency is key! You can have this delectable side dish ready in approximately 40 minutes, from start to finish. The bacon crisps up in just 5-7 minutes, the onions soften in about 5 minutes, and the green beans simmer to perfection in 20-25 minutes. This quick turnaround makes it an excellent choice for busy weeknights or as a stress-free addition to a holiday menu.
- Versatility: While perfect for special occasions, these green beans are equally at home on a casual dinner table. They adapt well to various dietary needs with simple substitutions and can be easily scaled up or down to feed any crowd.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The irresistible combination of bacon, butter, and tender vegetables ensures that this dish is almost universally loved. It’s a fantastic way to get even the pickiest eaters to enjoy their greens!
🛒 Key Ingredients
Crafting the perfect batch of Southern-style green beans requires a few fundamental ingredients, each playing a crucial role in building the dish’s signature flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:
- Green Beans: The star of our dish! For the best results, fresh green beans are recommended. Look for vibrant, crisp beans that snap easily. However, this recipe is incredibly forgiving, and you can successfully use frozen, canned, or even French-cut green beans.
- Fresh: Require trimming the ends. Provide the best texture and freshest flavor.
- Frozen: A convenient option. Thaw slightly before cooking for more even results, or add directly to the pot, increasing cooking time slightly.
- Canned: Already cooked and very tender. Drain thoroughly and simply heat through with the bacon and onions at the end (no simmering in water needed).
- French Cut: These thinner beans cook quickly and absorb flavors beautifully.
- Onions: The unsung hero, adding a layer of sweet, savory depth. A sweet yellow variety or shallots are ideal for their milder flavor, which caramelizes beautifully without overpowering the green beans and bacon. White or red onions can also be used, but may have a sharper bite. Ensure they are finely chopped for even cooking and distribution throughout the dish.
- Butter: Ah, the secret to that irresistible Southern richness! I consistently opt for salted butter in this recipe for a couple of key reasons:
- It simply tastes better and enhances all the other flavors.
- The salt helps to draw out moisture from the onions as they cook, preventing them from becoming soggy and ensuring that your bacon remains delightfully crispy. The subtle saltiness also balances the richness of the bacon.
Unsalted butter can be used, but you may need to adjust the amount of added salt later in the recipe to taste.
- Thick-Cut Bacon: The crispy, salty counterpoint that elevates this side dish to new heights. Thick-cut bacon renders beautifully, producing delicious fat for cooking the onions and providing substantial, satisfying bites.
- Water: Used for simmering the green beans, ensuring they become tender and absorb the seasonings. For extra flavor, you can substitute chicken or vegetable broth.
- Chicken Bouillon: A concentrated flavor booster that adds a savory, umami note to the green beans, complementing the bacon and onions. If using broth, you might adjust the bouillon quantity.
- Salt and Ground Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors into harmony. Always taste and adjust to your preference.
For precise measurements and detailed ingredient quantities, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.
✏️ Substitutions & Variations
One of the joys of cooking is adapting a recipe to suit your taste or what you have on hand. These green beans are incredibly versatile and welcome creative additions:
- Glaze with maple syrup for a delightful sweet and savory version. Add 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup during the last 5 minutes of the green bean simmering time, allowing it to gently coat the beans. This pairs wonderfully with holiday hams or roasted pork.
- Finish with a bright lemon squeeze for a burst of fresh flavor and acidity. A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice drizzled just before serving brightens the dish and cuts through the richness of the butter and bacon. Lemon zest can also be added for extra aromatic citrus notes.
- Infuse even more flavor by adding minced garlic while the onions are cooking. About 2-3 cloves of minced garlic, added in the last minute of onion sautéing, will provide a fragrant aromatic base. For a cheesy finish, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese right at the end, just before serving, allowing it to melt slightly over the warm beans.
- Add sliced almonds for an appealing textural contrast and nutty flavor. Toast them lightly in a dry skillet for a few minutes until golden brown before stirring them in with the bacon and onions. Other nuts like pecans or walnuts would also work beautifully.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you enjoy a bit of heat. Smoked paprika can also enhance the smoky flavor profile.
- Herbaceous Twist: Fresh herbs like chopped parsley, chives, or a sprig of thyme added at the end can elevate the aroma and presentation.
- Different Fats: While butter is king here, you can use a mix of bacon fat (reserved from cooking) and butter for an even deeper, smoky flavor. Olive oil can be used instead of butter for a dairy-free option, though the flavor will be different.
- Vegetable Broth: For a vegetarian version (omitting bacon), substitute chicken bouillon with vegetable bouillon and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic the smoky flavor of bacon.
🧑🍳 Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious side dish that’s bursting with Southern charm and flavor. The key to success lies in cooking each component to its perfect stage before combining them.
- Step 1. Prepare and Cook the Bacon. Begin by chopping your thick-cut bacon into desirable one-inch pieces. This size ensures a good crunch and allows the bacon to render its fat effectively. Place the chopped bacon in a large cooking pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is beautifully crispy and golden brown, typically taking about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the crispy bacon from the pot and transfer it to a separate serving bowl. Important: Discard the rendered bacon grease responsibly (do not pour it down the drain to prevent clogging). You can reserve a tablespoon or two if you wish to add extra smoky flavor to the onions, but ensure it’s not too much to prevent greasiness.
- Step 2. Sauté the Onions. Without washing the pot (the residual bacon flavor is a bonus!), add the butter and your raw chopped onion directly into the same pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onions become wonderfully soft, translucent, and slightly caramelized, which usually takes around 5 minutes. This step draws out their natural sweetness. Once tender, transfer the cooked onions to the same serving bowl with the crispy bacon.
- Step 3. Cook the Green Beans. Add the specified amount of water (or chicken/vegetable broth for enhanced flavor) and your chosen spices—chicken bouillon, salt, and ground pepper—to the same pot. Stir to combine the seasonings. Next, add your washed and trimmed green beans to the pot. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let the green beans cook for 20-25 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness. Some prefer them with a slight bite (al dente), while traditional Southern style often calls for very soft, well-cooked beans. Once cooked, carefully drain any remaining water from the pot.
- Step 4. Combine and Serve. Once the green beans are cooked and drained, transfer them to the serving bowl where you’ve set aside the crispy bacon and sautéed onions. Gently toss everything together to ensure the flavors meld beautifully and the bacon and onions are evenly distributed. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the crisp texture of the bacon and the rich, buttery flavor of the beans and onions.
PRO TIP: For truly crisp bacon in your final dish, it is absolutely essential to cook the bacon separately and only add it back to the green beans right before serving. If you mix it in too early or keep it covered, it will lose its crispness.
Expert Tips for Perfect Green Beans with Bacon and Onions
- Choose Your Beans Wisely: While all forms of green beans work, fresh beans offer the best texture. If using frozen, avoid over-simmering. If using canned, simply heat and combine as they are already cooked.
- Crispy Bacon is Key: Don’t rush this step. Cooking bacon over high heat until truly crisp (but not burnt) is crucial for the dish’s texture.
- Don’t Skip the Butter with Onions: Even if you reserved some bacon grease, adding butter with the onions creates a richer flavor and helps them caramelize more effectively. The salted butter helps draw out moisture, preventing soggy onions.
- Seasoning to Taste: The amount of salt needed can vary based on your bacon’s saltiness and whether you use salted or unsalted butter. Always taste the green beans after simmering and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Avoid Overcrowding: When cooking bacon, ensure your pot isn’t overcrowded. If making a very large batch, cook the bacon in two separate batches to ensure it crisps up properly rather than steaming.
📌 Troubleshooting
Even seasoned cooks can encounter little hiccups. Here are some common issues you might face when making this dish and how to swiftly resolve them:
- Soggy green beans: This usually indicates overcooking. Green beans should be tender but not mushy.
- Fix: To revive them, try reheating them in batches over high heat in a dry pan for a few minutes, allowing some moisture to evaporate. Next time, cook for less time or use crisper beans.
- Bacon lost crispness: If you mixed the bacon in too early or kept the dish covered for too long, the bacon can absorb moisture and become chewy.
- Fix: Crisp the bacon last-minute, either by frying it again briefly or spreading it on a sheet pan and crisping it in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 5-7 minutes right before serving. Always add crispy elements at the very end.
- Onions bitter or undercooked: This often happens if the pan is too hot or if they haven’t cooked long enough to soften and sweeten.
- Fix: Lower the heat and cook the onions slower, stirring frequently, until they become translucent and slightly golden. True caramelization takes time and gentle heat, bringing out their natural sugars and reducing bitterness.
- Dish is too salty: This can occur if your bacon is very salty, or if you’ve added too much bouillon/salt.
- Fix: Balance the saltiness by adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a small amount of unsalted butter. A touch of sweetness (like a tiny bit of maple syrup or sugar) can also help to mellow the salt.
❄️ Make Ahead, Store, and Freezing Tips
Preparing this dish can be made even easier with some smart make-ahead, storage, and freezing strategies, especially useful for busy holidays or meal prepping.
Make-ahead: To get a head start, you can prepare individual components up to 2 days in advance. Cook the bacon until crispy, drain it well, and store it in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the fridge if preferred, though it may lose a bit of crispness). Separately, blanch your green beans (cook in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then plunge into ice water to stop cooking and preserve color) and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, quickly reheat the beans in a skillet with a little butter or bacon fat, then add the bacon and freshly sautéed onions.
Leftovers: Any leftover green beans with bacon and onions should be refrigerated promptly in an airtight container. They will keep well for 3-4 days. For the best texture when reheating, avoid the microwave if possible. Instead, rewarm them gently in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, which helps the bacon regain some crispness. Alternatively, spread them on a baking sheet and reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8-10 minutes.
Freeze: While cooked green beans tend to lose some of their crisp texture once frozen and thawed, you can still freeze components if absolutely necessary. Blanch and freeze the unseasoned green beans separately. When ready to use, thaw and recook the beans as directed in the recipe, then assemble with freshly cooked bacon and onions for the best results. Freezing the assembled dish with bacon is not recommended, as the bacon will become soggy and unappetizing.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! Canned green beans are a convenient option. The cooking time and technique will differ slightly, however. Since canned green beans are already cooked, there’s no need to simmer them in water for an extended period. Simply cook your bacon and onions as instructed, then drain the canned green beans thoroughly and sauté them briefly in the pot with a little butter or reserved bacon fat, just long enough to heat them through. Finally, combine them with the crispy bacon and tender onions in your serving dish.
Keeping bacon crispy for a crowd is a common challenge! The best strategy is to cook the bacon until very crisp and then store it separately from the green beans. You can crisp the bacon last-minute by frying it up just before the event, or by spreading it on a sheet pan and baking it in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 5-7 minutes. Add the crispy bacon to the green beans only just before serving. If you need to hold the dish warm, keep the beans and bacon separate, then combine just before placing it out, or hold the crispy bacon in a very low-temperature oven (around 200°F/95°C) in an oven-safe pan.
The optimal sequence is crucial for achieving the best texture and flavor. First, render the bacon until it reaches your desired crispness, then remove it from the pot and set it aside. Next, sauté the onions in some of the rendered bacon fat (or add butter if preferred) until they are soft and golden. Finally, cook the green beans separately with water and seasonings until tender. This method ensures each component is cooked perfectly. Remember, putting onions or bacon directly into the simmering water with the beans will make them lose flavor and become soggy.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker, especially if you want very tender, “melt-in-your-mouth” green beans. Here’s how you’d adjust the steps:
1. Fry the bacon until crispy and sauté the onions until soft separately on the stovetop. Set them aside.
2. Place the washed and prepped green beans into your slow cooker. Add the water (or broth) and all the spices (chicken bouillon, salt, pepper). Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, or until the green beans reach your desired level of tenderness.
3. Once the beans are cooked, drain any excess liquid thoroughly. Then, stir in the reserved crispy bacon and sautéed onions. Keep warm in the slow cooker until ready to serve, ensuring the bacon isn’t mixed in too far ahead of time to preserve some crunch.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
These versatile Southern-style green beans are a fantastic addition to almost any meal. Here are some delicious ideas for pairing them:
- Main dishes: They make an exquisite side for roasted meats such as pepperjack roasted chicken, tender pork chops, or a hearty mushroom swiss meatloaf. Their rich flavor also complements beef roasts, turkey, and ham, making them a holiday staple.
- Other Side Dishes: Complete your meal with other comforting sides. They pair beautifully with creamy red skinned mashed potatoes, indulgent boursin twice baked potatoes, or a slice of sweet and savory honey butter cornbread. A simple rice pilaf or crusty bread would also be wonderful for soaking up the buttery juices.
- Garnish ideas: Elevate your presentation with a sprinkle of toasted almonds, extra crispy fried shallots, a handful of fresh chopped herbs (like parsley or chives), or a touch of lemon zest for a bright finish.
🥣 More Delicious Easy Side Dishes
Looking for more effortless and tasty side dishes to complement your meals? Here are a few more recipes you might love:
- Sourdough Discard Cornbread
- Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
- Deviled Potatoes
- Cheesy Baked Asparagus
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about your experience! Make sure to leave a ⭐️ star rating and a comment below the recipe card. Your feedback is so helpful to other readers and truly makes my day!
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📝 Printable Recipe
Green Beans with Bacon and Onion
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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1 large cooking pot
Ingredients
- 12 oz thick cut bacon
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chopped onion (½ large onion)
- 3 cups water
- 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 lb green beans washed and stems chopped off
Instructions
-
Chop 12 oz thick cut bacon into one-inch slices. Place the chopped bacon in a large cooking pot over high heat and cook until crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, drain the crispy bacon and set it aside in a serving bowl. Carefully discard the bacon grease (ensure it does not go down the drain!).
-
To the same pot (no need to wash it, the residual bacon flavor is delicious!), add 4 Tablespoons butter and 1 cup chopped onion . Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, translucent, and slightly caramelized, which takes approximately 5 minutes.
Transfer the cooked onions to the serving bowl with the crispy bacon.
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In the same pot, add 3 cups water (or chicken broth for richer flavor) along with 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon,1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper . Stir well to dissolve the bouillon and seasonings. Add your washed and prepped 2 lb green beans to the seasoned water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the green beans are tender to your liking. Once cooked, carefully drain any remaining water from the pot.
-
Transfer the cooked green beans to the serving bowl containing the crispy bacon and sautéed onions. Gently toss everything together to combine. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the full depth of flavor and texture!
Notes
Slow Cooker Option:
1. On your stovetop, fry the bacon until crispy and sauté the onions until soft. Set them aside.
2. Add the green beans, water (or broth), and spices to your slow cooker. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, or until the beans reach your desired tenderness.
3. Once the green beans are cooked, drain any excess liquid. Then, stir in the reserved crispy bacon and tender onions. Keep the dish warm in the slow cooker until you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Sara!
Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.