Just Like Fresh Cooked Green Beans
A savory side dish featuring tender green beans cooked with crispy bacon, brown sugar, and onion soup mix, perfect for family dinners and gatherings alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fry 6 slices of bacon until crispy.
- Break bacon into pieces and set aside.
- Put green beans, 3 tablespoons of bacon grease, onion soup mix, and brown sugar into a pan.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add bacon pieces to the green beans before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For an extra depth of flavor, consider using fresh green beans instead of canned; just blanch them before adding. If you're looking to cut down on fat, turkey bacon can be a lighter alternative. Additionally, feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste, or substitute with honey for a different sweetness profile. Adding a pinch of garlic powder can also enhance the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These green beans make a great side dish for a variety of main courses, particularly pork recipes like roasted pork loin. For a complete meal, serve alongside mashed potatoes or with a fresh salad, such as Midwest Vegetable Crunch Salad. They also pair well with grilled meats, adding a smoky flavor that complements the bacon.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply add the beans to a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave them in short intervals, adding a splash of water to keep them moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Just Like Fresh Cooked Green Beans contains roughly 62 calories, with 2g protein, 10g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (24% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 755mg per serving (33% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can definitely use fresh green beans! Just trim and blanch them for a few minutes before adding them to the pan. This will help to maintain their vibrant color and crunchiness while absorbing all the flavors from the bacon and seasonings.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, you can replace the bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a similar flavor profile. Additionally, using vegetable broth instead of bacon grease can help maintain richness while keeping the dish plant-based.
What can I do if I don't have onion soup mix?
If you don't have onion soup mix, you can create a substitute by combining dried onion flakes, garlic powder, and a bit of salt. This mixture will provide a similar flavor base for the dish. Alternatively, finely chopped fresh onions sautéed in the bacon grease can also work well.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).