Sautéed Green Beans
Fresh Sautéed Green Beans are a delicious and easy vegetable side dish perfect for any main meal. These pan-fried green beans with bacon and garlic add a great Southern flavor to your favorite entrees!
Easy sautéed green beans are a delicious and easy vegetable side dish that can be served with any main meal. They are made by pan-frying fresh green beans in bacon grease and garlic, creating an irresistible Southern flavor.
Not only do sautéed green beans make a great accompaniment to dishes like baked chicken or baked fish but they also pair nicely with roasted potatoes for an all-in-one dinner plate!
With minimal effort and ingredients required, you can have this tasty vegetable side dish ready in no time!
How to Make Sautéed Green Beans without Blanching
See the recipe card below for the ingredient amounts and full instructions.
- Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet, and cook over low-medium heat until it reaches the desired crispness.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but 3 to 4 tablespoons of grease.
- Rinse the green beans and carefully place them into the hot pan. Make sure not to add them too quickly or the water and grease will splash.
- Cook the green beans for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until they reach the desired doneness. The green beans should blister and have char marks from the hot pan.
- Add the garlic, and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute then add the bacon. Stir to combine, and remove from heat. Enjoy!
Should you boil green beans before sautéing?
No, blanching is not necessary before sautéing green beans. Sautéed green beans are a great way to enjoy the fresh flavor of the vegetable without boiling them.
They can be cooked with bacon, garlic, and other flavorful ingredients to add delicious taste and texture to the dish without needing to boil beforehand. Additionally, try using other cooking methods such as steaming or roasting if desired.
What can you add to green beans to make them taste better?
You can add many different ingredients to green beans to make them taste better. Bacon and garlic are a great combination that adds smoky and savory flavors. Herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, rosemary or cumin add other types of flavor varieties.
Sautéing with butter or cooking in stock or broth enhances the taste of green beans. Topping the beans with parmesan cheese is another option.
Lastly, don’t forget about citrus! Squeezing fresh lemon juice over cooked green beans brings out their natural flavor.
Why are my green beans tough?
If your green beans are tough, it could be because they were picked past their prime. Try to use the freshest green beans possible, as older beans tend to be tougher and less flavorful.
Do you need to snap or trim the ends off of the green beans?
No need to snap the beans unless you like snapping them. We prefer to trim the ends before cooking.
Can you add onions to this recipe?
Yes, absolutely! Add your favorite variety of thinly sliced or diced onions about halfway through the cooking time.
This gives the onions time to soften and sweeten. If you like the onions more on the “done” side, add them a little earlier. They make a great addition to this dish!
Can you put raw bacon in green beans?
In regards to sautéing green beans, no you cannot. The green beans and bacon cook at different rates, so the bacon needs to be cooked first.
Furthermore, bacon grease needs to be in the pan in order to cook the beans. To guarantee that all the ingredients cook thoroughly, begin by frying the bacon then add in the green beans.
How do you store leftover green beans?
Refrigerator: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for 2 to 3 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze them in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2 months. To reheat, place frozen green beans into a skillet and warm over medium heat until they reach your desired temperature.
A word of caution: freezing leftover green beans drastically changes their texture, so it’s best to enjoy them freshly cooked.
What do you serve with green beans and bacon?
Sautéed green beans pair well with any main course. The combination of salty bacon, fresh green beans, and garlic create a flavorful dish that can be served as is or dressed up with other ingredients.
We love to serve them alongside Orange Turkey, Beef with Garlic Sauce, Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole, and Ham Casserole with Broccoli.
Other Side Dish Recipes to Try:
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon, uncooked and chopped into pieces
- 1 pound green beans, ends trimmed
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over low-medium heat, and add the bacon pieces. Cook until it reaches the desired crispness.½ pound bacon
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and drain all but 3 to 4 tablespoons of grease.
- Rinse the green beans. Carefully place them into the hot pan so the grease doesn't splash.1 pound green beans
- Cook the green beans for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until they reach the desired doneness.
- Add the garlic, and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute then add the bacon. Stir to combine, and remove from heat. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.4 garlic cloves
- Scroll up and see the post for FAQs and storage options.