Name: Green Beans with Butter and Bacon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh green beans; 4 slices of bacon; 2 tablespoons salted butter; Salt and pepper to taste

Green beans with butter and baconis a hearty and flavor-filled side dish that takes green beans from plain to irresistible with just a handful of ingredients.

Growing up, we had a huge and luscious garden.My parents grew other things, but I mostly remember they grew LOTS of green beans. I can remember picking them in 5-gallon buckets and filling the buckets to the top. We played outside all summer long, but we were allowed to come in and watch a movie in the air-conditioned house when it was time to break beans. Breaking beans involved snapping off both tail-ends and breaking them into bite-sized pieces so that Mom could can them.

Mom and all of us kids could break beans for hours and still have some left to do.And as you could probably guess, I had a love-hate relationship with the process.Now, when I only have a pound or two of beans to break, it seems like such a quick and easy task. So, this recipe is basically a treat anytime I get to whip it up! It’s perfect for the end of season overflowing garden, along with mySimple DIY Hummus PlatterandThe Life Changing Magic of the Veggie Box.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Combination: The savory bacon with the fresh green beans is so satisfying.
Versatile Side Dish: These green beans go with just about everything.
Simple Ingredients:With just three easy ingredients, they don’t get much more simple than this!

Ingredients

Fresh Green Beans
Bacon
Butter
Salt and Pepper

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

Popular Substitutions and Variations

Saute’ some minced garlic with the bacontowards the end of it’s cooking time, being careful not to burn it, for a garlicky twist on this recipe.
You could alsocaramelize some diced onionwhile the beans are cooking and add it to the green beans before serving.

How to Make Green Beans with Butter and Bacon

Step #1.Snap both ends off the beans. Leave whole or snap into smaller pieces as desired. Rinse with cold water.

Step #3.While the beans are simmering, fry the remaining pieces of bacon until very crisp. Let cool then chop well and set aside.

Step #2.Place the beans in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Add two slices of bacon to the pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25-45 minutes, checking often for doneness.

Step #4.Once the beans are done, discard the boiled bacon and drain the water. Put the beans in a serving dish, top with butter, bacon, and a heavy sprinkling of salt. Serve.

Recipe FAQs

How long do you boil green beans?

This really depends on your beans. I’ve found that homegrown green beans need to be cooked longer than store-bought ones. Generally, it should take between 25 to 45 minutes, so just keep an eye on it!

Why are my green beans tough?

Beans might be tough, stringy, and fibrous if they’re picked after they’re ripe. If they’re overripe, they begin to harden and get a less crunchy and more chewy and tough texture. It’s best to pick beans when their pods are still young and tender.

What pairs well with green beans?

Green beans with bacon and butter are a perfect side dish for SO many meals! Pretty much anything that needs a vibrant and green side dish will go well with these. Traditionally, a lot of Southern food dishes, like fried chicken and mashed potatoes or pulled pork sandwiches, pair nicely with a side of hearty green beans.

Can you over-cook green beans?

Yes! You’ll be able to tell if your green beans are over-cooked. They get limp, soggy, and mushy, and they lose a lot of their bright green color and turn more of a moss green. Just keep an eye on yours as they boil to check that they don’t over-cook.

Expert Tips

If you want your green beans to cook more quickly,you can cut them “French style” by slicing them in half the long way.
To test the beans for doneness, take one out of the pot and take a bite –beans are done when they have just a tiny bit of crunch left.
Be sure to sort through the fresh green beans and remove any that arebruised, wrinkled, shriveled, etc.
Cutting your green beans to a uniform sizehelps them cook more evenly.