Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots is salty and crunchy with an out-of-this-world delicious twist. This classic side dish is done in under 15 minutes!

big bowl of  green beans with bacon
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If you’re going to eat green beans, they should be cooked with bacon (unless you’re a vegetarian, obvi).

That’s my lil’ kitchen rule, and I’m stickin’ to it!

Have you ever had green beans with bacon? Oh my word, it’s the BEST (and I argue: only) way to enjoy these fresh, vibrant, beautiful veggies.

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❤️ What makes this recipe so special

half bowl of green beans with bacon

This green beans side dish is:

  • Quick and easy: done in just 15 minutes!
  • Uses easy-to-find ingredients or ones you may already have at home.
  • Has great texture with the crunchy bacon and crisp green beans.
  • Makes a great side for the holidays or any time of the year.

SO good!

And this recipe pairs well with main courses like Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Loin Roast, Air Fryer Meatloaf, and Pan-Seared Salmon with Almond Basil Pesto.

🥓 Ingredient notes

green beans with bacon ingredients

Green Beans – Start with fresh green beans. If you can’t find fresh green beans, you can definitely use frozen green beans. Frozen vegetables are picked at their ripest in season and flash frozen. So frozen is the next best option to fresh.

Unsalted Butter – You’ll also want to use a high quality butter. I use Tillamook Unsalted Butter when I can, because it’s local (Oregon). And, it’s made with 81% fat, which adds a rich, silky buttery flavor.

Shallots – add an elegant undertone of acidic, slightly sweet flavor. While shallots are a member of the allium family, they add aromatics similar to garlic. They are milder than standard onions, however, so that’s why I love them in this dish.

Bacon – Finally, you need some really good bacon. Choose a bacon that has a decent amount of fat. Avoid turkey bacon – it just won’t sauté the same way or give this dish the bacon-y goodness it’s meant to have.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

green beans with bacon and shallots step by step pictures

1-2. Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Add the shallots and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until softened.

4. Then add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes.

5. Add the green beans, and toss to coat with the other ingredients.

6. Cook for 3-5 minutes, constantly moving around the ingredients to evenly cook. Once the green beans have cooked to your preferred doneness, turn off the heat. Plate, and serve immediately.

👩🏽‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

Can I use canned or frozen green beans?

Using fresh green beans will give you the most vibrant flavors, but if you can’t find fresh ones, you can definitely use frozen green beans. Frozen vegetables are picked at their ripest in season and flash frozen. So frozen is the next best option to fresh.

How do know if my green beans are fresh?

A quick way to check for freshness it to bend one of them. Fresh beans will end produce a clean snap. If they bend but don’t snap, they aren’t as fresh. Also, look for ones that are bright green in color.

Can I slice shallots ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep shallots ahead of time. They should stay good for about a week in the fridge.

🔪 Kitchen tools and equipment

To make this Green Beans with Bacon recipe, you’ll need:

Skillet or sauté pan – to crisp the bacon, and cook the green beans and shallots.

Spoon/Spatula – use a wooden spoon or heatproof silicone spatula to sauté the ingredients in the pan.

🍽 What to serve with green beans with bacon

green beans with bacon with bottle of wine

This delicious side dish is great for holidays. It’s a beautiful addition to the Thanksgiving table, Christmas, and Easter. It’s also a fantastic easy side dish to serve with almost any dinner.

Some other main dishes that go well with green beans:

More side dish recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Green Beans with Bacon

5 from 8 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
A savory, delicious, easy side dish for weeknight meals and holiday meals alike!
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Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 6-8 slices bacon, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 pound green beans

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
  • Add the shallots, and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until softened.
  • Add the bacon and cook to desired crispness, about 3-4 minutes
  • Add the green beans, toss together until coated and cook for 3-5 minutes until green beans are softened. Remove from heat, and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Storage: Green beans with bacon will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also make the bacon the day before and add to the beans when you make the full recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 172mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 697IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

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bowl of green beans with bacon and title text
Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

About Marlynn

I'm a cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, WSET 2 Certified wine pro, mom of two, and dog lover. I'm here to help you with fast, easy, and delicious recipes, food & wine pairings, cooking & baking tips, plus food and wine travel guides.

5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. Anjali says:

    5 stars
    Green beans are one of my favorite side dishes and I love this fun twist on the classic recipe! This is going on my holiday menu for sure!

  2. Adrianne says:

    5 stars
    What a great easy delicious sounding side dish!! I love bacon and definitely approve of the bacon and bean combo. Can’t wait to try this out. YUM!!

  3. Adrianne says:

    5 stars
    What a great easy delicious sounding side dish!! I love bacon and definitely approve of the bacon and bean combo. Can’t wait to try this out.

  4. Beth says:

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious and flavorful with the bacon! I can’t wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this!

  5. Brianna says:

    5 stars
    What a great wat to elevate one of my favorite veggies!

  6. Noelle Simpson says:

    5 stars
    I loved this! Such a simple side dish, making again soon!