Have you tried Pan-Fried Green Beans with Bacon? It’s the ONLY way to eat green beans, really. The beans are crisp-tender and infused with the amazing taste of bacon – what could be better? It’s also just TWO ingredients (I’ll let you guess which two), a hot skillet for sautéing and you’re set!

You’re going to laugh at how easy this is – literally just bacon and green beans. That’s it! The smoky, salty flavor from the bacon elevates simple greens beans to a whole new level and they are a delicious side dish to serve with anything from Thanksgiving dinner to a simple steak dinner.

You’ll love this Fried Green Beans Recipe

You’ve probably noticed fried green beans or fried string beans in the grocery store — packaged as a crunchy snack.

This recipe isn’t about deep frying green beans to the point of making them unrecognizable. (Although commercially fried green beans are pretty tasty. I admit.)

I’m talking about pan-fried green beans here. 

How to cook Green Beans and Bacon

1. Slice the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until the bacon reaches your desired crispness. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Drain all but 2-3 Tablespoons of the bacon drippings. Bring the remaining drippings up to medium heat again and add the trimmed and halved green beans. Toss the green beans around occasionally as they cook, 12-15 minutes or until they’re crisp-tender and have golden brown spots.
3. Stir the bacon back into the green beans, transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

Green Beans and Bacon Recipe substitutions and variations

You could swap out the green beans for Brussels sprouts, Broccoli, cubed sweet potatoes, cabbage, or cauliflower.

‌Can I use frozen green beans to make Fried Green Beans?

Yes, you can. You can put them into the pan while they’re still frozen, this will result in a slightly longer cooking time. Be careful not to over cook them and turn them to mush!

What to serve with Green Beans and Bacon

This would make a great side dish for your Thanksgiving, served alongside Smoked Chicken Breasts or Instant Pot Corned Beef.

How to store Green Beans with Bacon

How to reheat Pan Fried Green Beans

I’d recommend throwing them back into a skillet.

They should still have enough cooking fat on them that you don’t need to add anymore. Just heat them gently until they’re barely reheated. If you cook them too long the green beans won’t be so green anymore.

And they’ll be mushy.

Green Beans and Bacon Recipe FAQs

The Most Magical Sauteed Green Beans — This recipe only has a few ingredients, too, and my kids love these, too! (They’re particular about green beans.)

I mean, it’s hard to imagine green beans more magical than ones that have bacon. It might be a toss up. They’re that good.

By the way, my Bacon Fried Green Beans would be a great Thanksgiving side dish because once you get the bacon cooked (which you can do ahead of time), it takes just a few minutes to fry up the green beans!SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

More Recipes on Perry’s Plate

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