Description
These holiday green beans with bacon bring the comfort of Mom's kitchen to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Fresh green beans are simmered with sweet caramelized onions, garlic, and thyme, then finished with crispy bacon and a buttery maple-Dijon glaze. A flavorful one-skillet holiday side dish that's easy enough for Sunday dinner, too.
Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Green Beans
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1 pound fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
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4 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
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1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
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½ teaspoon dried thyme
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¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Salt, to taste
For the Maple-Dijon Glaze
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1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
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2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
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1 tablespoon salted butter
Instructions
Instructions
These eight recipe-card steps match the eight steps in your blog post.
1
Prepare the Green Beans
Rinse and trim the green beans. Cut any especially long beans in half and pat dry.
2
Cook the Bacon
In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon for 6–8 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1 tablespoon of drippings.
3
Caramelize the Onions
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the sliced onion and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden. Add a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking.
4
Add Garlic and Thyme
Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme. Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
5
Simmer the Green Beans
Add the green beans and chicken broth. Cover and cook over medium heat for 7–10 minutes, stirring once, until the beans are tender. Add 2–3 minutes for softer beans if desired.
6
Make the Maple-Dijon Glaze
Whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Uncover the skillet and reduce excess broth until only a few tablespoons remain. Add the glaze, butter, and black pepper. Toss and cook uncovered for 2–4 minutes until lightly glossy.
7
Add the Bacon
Turn off the heat. Fold in three-quarters of the crispy bacon. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed.
8
Serve
Transfer to a warm serving dish. Top with the remaining bacon and spoon any caramelized onions and glaze over the beans. Serve warm.
Notes
For the best texture: Check the green beans after 7 minutes of covered cooking. They should be tender with a little bite. Cook longer if your family prefers softer, old-fashioned green beans.
Make ahead: Cook the bacon and caramelize the onions up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate separately. Wash and trim the green beans ahead, then finish the dish shortly before serving.
Frozen green beans: Substitute 1 pound of frozen green beans. Cook from frozen for approximately 8–12 minutes, checking for tenderness. Reduce excess moisture before adding the glaze.
Less sweetness: Reduce the maple syrup to 2 teaspoons.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours. Use within 3–4 days.
Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water until heated throughout to 165°F.
Serving suggestion: Perfect alongside roasted turkey, holiday ham, chicken, mashed potatoes, or sweet potato casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American