Elevate Your Green Bean Casserole with Bacon – Tips and Tricks for the Best Results

Green bean casserole is a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, with its hearty combination of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. But if you’re looking to add a smoky, salty twist to this classic, you may be wondering: can you add bacon to green bean casserole?

The answer is a resounding yes! Bacon makes a fantastic addition to green bean casserole, infusing the dish with savory, porky flavor. The crunchy, salty bacon bits play perfectly against the creamy sauce and tender beans.

In this guide, I’ll explain multiple ways to integrate bacon into green bean casserole, provide step-by-step instructions, and share pro tips for maximizing texture and flavor. With the right techniques, bacon can take your casserole from classic to extraordinary.

Why Add Bacon to Green Bean Casserole?

There are several good reasons to add bacon to your green bean casserole recipe

• Enhanced flavor – Bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.

• Textural contrast – Crispy bacon bits provide crunchy texture that balances the soft beans and creamy sauce

• Salty balance – The saltiness of the bacon balances the rich creaminess from the soup.

• Pop of protein – Bacon contributes protein to make the casserole more satisfying and substantial

• Easy customization – Bacon is an easy way to put your own spin on a classic.

• Crowd-pleaser – Bacon makes most dishes taste better to many people.

Adding bacon to green bean casserole is an easy trick to make this comforting side into something extra special.

How to Add Bacon to Green Bean Casserole

There are a few different ways you can incorporate bacon into green bean casserole:

Bacon Bits – Use store-bought real bacon bits or fry bacon until crispy, let cool, and crumble into casserole.

Chopped Bacon – Dice smoked bacon into small pieces and sauté until browned but not crispy.

Bacon Fat – Cook bacon, save the rendered fat, and use to sauté onions and beans.

Wrapped Beans – Wrap canned or cooked fresh green beans with bacon slices and bake until crisp.

Bacon Weave – Weave bacon slices into a lattice topper and bake casserole underneath.

Choose based on your preferences for bacon texture and flavor impact. I recommend 1⁄2 to 1 cup of bacon total for a 9×13 casserole.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for adding bacon to traditional green bean casserole:

1. Prepare bacon

Cook bacon strips or pieces until crispy. Chop or crumble and let cool.

2. Make bean mixture

Mix green beans, soup, milk, and seasonings in a bowl.

3. Add bacon

Stir in chopped cooked bacon to bean mixture.

4. Transfer to baking dish

Spoon bean-bacon mixture into a 9×13 casserole dish.

5. Top with onions

Sprinkle fried onions evenly over the top.

6. Bake and serve

Bake at 350°F until heated through, about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Adjust baking time as needed based on amount of casserole and whether beans are canned, fresh, or frozen.

Pro Tips for the Best Bacon Green Bean Casserole

To maximize the bacon flavor and get the perfect crunch, follow these tips:

• Use thick-cut bacon for heartier texture.

• Go easy on extra salt since bacon is salty.

• Bake bacon strips around edges of dish for pretty presentation.

• Fry onions in bacon grease for extra flavor.

• Let bacon cool before adding so it stays crispy after baking.

• For fresh green beans, blanch first then wrap in bacon before baking.

• Sprinkle extra bacon bits over casserole right before serving.

With the right techniques, adding bacon can really make your green bean casserole stand out!

Make It a Bacon-Focused Side Dish

If you want to go all-in on the bacon flavor, there are a few different ways to transform green bean casserole into a bacon-centric baked bean side dish:

• Double the bacon – Use up to 2 cups crumbled bacon.

• Replace soup with bacon fat roux – Whisk 2 tbsp flour into 4 tbsp bacon fat and cook until bubbly.

• Mix in bacon vinaigrette – Toss green beans with bacon vinaigrette before baking.

• Top with bacon breadcrumbs – Toss panko crumbs with bacon fat and sprinkle over casserole.

• Garnish with bacon strips – Crisscross bacon strips over casserole before baking.

With extra bacon in both the filling and toppings, you can make this side completely bacon-licious!

Serving Suggestions

Bacon green bean casserole makes a delicious accompaniment to all types of entrees:

• Baked ham
• Turkey or chicken
• Pork roasts or chops
• Meatloaf
• Sausages
• Steak
• Lamb
• Seafood like shrimp or salmon

It also pairs well with mashed potatoes, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, biscuits, cornbread, rolls, and other Thanksgiving favorites.

Adding crispy, savory bacon takes green bean casserole to the next level. With the step-by-step guidance and expert tips in this article, you can easily integrate bacon into this holiday classic. Serve bacon green bean casserole for a side dish everyone will love!