Sizzle Up Southern-Style Canned Green Beans

Canned green beans dont have to be boring. Add onions and bacon to kick up this pantry staple a few notches. These sauteed canned green beans are a family favorite. The combination of green beans with bacon and onions comes together to create a perfect comfort dish.

Canned green beans get a bad rap. But with the right preparation, these humble beans can become an utterly addictive side. By cooking them low and slow with bacon, you can coax out their hidden potential for deep, savory flavor.

As a born-and-raised Southerner, I grew up on canned veggies cooked until tender and infused with smoky, salty porkiness And I’m here to show you how to transform basic canned green beans into a side that tastes like it simmered for hours.

Start With the Right Beans

To get started, you’ll need a 28-ounce or larger can of cut green beans – not snap beans or “fancy” beans. Go for a trusted brand like Del Monte, Hanover, or your grocery store’s house brand.

Avoid any beans labeled “Southern-style” or seasoned, as they’ll have too much salt already added. Trust me, we’ll build plenty of flavor as we cook.

Bacon – The Key Ingredient

What makes these beans taste so incredible is the bacon. I find 6-8 slices of bacon is perfect for a big 28-ounce can.

Cook the bacon nice and crispy. We just want the drippings here, so remove the bacon slices to add back later.

Around 3 tablespoons of drippings is ideal. If needed, add a bit of olive oil or butter to make up the difference.

Simmer the Beans Low and Slow

Now for the beans – pour them into a wide skillet along with all their liquid from the can. Add a pinch of brown sugar or dash of maple syrup (optional but delicious).

Bring the beans to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes.

After simmering for a bit, add your cooked bacon pieces back to the pot.

Cook Until the Liquid’s Gone

Here’s where the magic happens. Keep simmering those beans, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid evaporates.

Once the liquid’s gone, the beans will start to sizzle and brown in the bacon grease. This is when they soak up tons of smoky flavor!

Don’t Forget the Seasoning

As the beans cook down, resist adding any extra salt. The bacon and can liquid provide plenty already.

But do season to taste with black pepper and other spices like garlic powder or onion powder.

Fresh thyme or rosemary would also be an excellent addition. Just stir them in once the liquid’s mostly evaporated.

Serve Your Southern-Style Beans

That’s it! Once the beans are as tender and bacon-y as you like, remove from heat. Now you have a side of creamy, savory green beans ready to serve.

These are fantastic alongside classic Southern dishes like fried chicken, meatloaf, or pot roast. They also make an easy vegetarian meal when served over rice.

Leftovers will keep for 4-5 days refrigerated – just gently reheat to serve again. Trust me, no one will guess these addictive beans came from a humble can.

So grab some bacon and beans, crank up the stovetop, and get ready to enjoy the deepest, most comforting Southern-style green beans ever.

How to Cook Canned Green Beans with Bacon:

Use a 28oz or larger can of plain cut green beans
Cook 6-8 slices of bacon until crispy, reserving 3 tbsp drippings
Add beans and liquid to the drippings and simmer 15-20 minutes
Add crispy bacon back and simmer until liquid evaporates
Season with black pepper, garlic, or herbs
Serve once beans are as tender and bacon-y as desired

Why This Method Works:

Bacon drippings provide rich, savory flavor
Cooking until the liquid evaporates allows the beans to soak up flavor
Low simmering keeps the beans tender, not mushy
Ample seasoning gives big taste without extra salt
Quick yet delivers the flavor of beans simmered for hours

With the right preparation, even humble canned beans can become an incredible comfort food dish. Southern-style green beans are proof that canned veggies shouldn’t be underestimated.

how to cook canned green beans with bacon

Variations for Green Beans and Bacon

Adding a dash of red pepper flakes
Adding in minced garlic
Using frozen (steamed) green beans
Adding in a little balsamic vinegar
Using bacon bits instead of bacon strips

Tips for this Green Bean and Bacon Recipe

You can use yellow onion or a red onion. Since red onions are usually a bit sweeter than white onions, the dish does taste a little different, but both onions work well in this recipe.
No matter what brand or cut of green beans you use, they will all work well. You can use either whole or french-cut green beans, depending on what you like better.
You can pick thick or thin bacon slices based on how crunchy or chewy you’d like them to be. Just remember what kind of bacon you’re using because each will make a different dish.

how to cook canned green beans with bacon

Bacon Green Beans – Green Bean with Bacon – Perfect Side Dish – The Hillbilly Kitchen

FAQ

What to add to canned green beans for flavor?

Empty both cans in to a medium sauce pan and add onions, bacon bits, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. The trick is to let it bubble and DO NOT take the lid off. The bacon bits and onions soften and enhance the flavor of the beans.

Should you rinse canned green beans before cooking?

For that reason, most of the BHG’s test kitchen recipes call for draining and rinsing canned beans, which can also help remove the metallic flavor sometimes found in cans. It’s an added step that takes less than a minute but improves the flavor and texture of your dish.

How to cook canned beans on the stove?

Pour the beans directly into the pot and season for how you plan to use them. Allow it to simmer, stirring occasionally. Continue to stir and heat beans until they reach the desired temperature and consistency, about 5-10 minutes.

How to jazz up green beans?

Then, I toss the blanched beans with olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, and salt to pep up their flavor. Serve them just like that, or dress them up more with toasted almonds or pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme.