This recipe brings together green beans, smoky bacon, and a hint of bourbon for a standout side dish. It’s a simple skillet preparation that adds a lot of flavor to fresh green beans.
Everything comes together in about 30 minutes. The beans are cooked until just tender, then coated in a quick pan sauce, making it an easy choice for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.
Why is Bourbon Bacon Green Beans a Must-Try?
One-Skillet Method: From crisping the bacon to glazing the beans, this entire dish is made in a single skillet for easy cleanup.
Balanced Flavors: The saltiness of the bacon, the sweetness of brown sugar, the tang of balsamic, and the warm depth of bourbon create a complex sauce.
Tender-Crisp Texture: Sautéing the green beans directly in the pan keeps them from getting mushy, preserving their fresh snap.
Ingredients for Bourbon Bacon Green Beans
• Bacon: Thick-cut bacon works well because it renders plenty of fat and the pieces stay meaty after cooking. Regular bacon is also fine.
• Green Beans: Use fresh green beans for the best texture. Frozen green beans can be used, but they should be thawed and patted dry first.
• Bourbon: Any mid-range bourbon will work. The alcohol cooks out, leaving behind its characteristic smoky and sweet notes.
• Shallot: A shallot provides a milder, more delicate flavor than an onion. If you don’t have one, half a small yellow onion can be used instead.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This adds a sweet acidity that balances the richness of the bacon and bourbon. Apple cider vinegar is a good substitute.
Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Bourbon Bacon Green Beans
Step 1: Crisp the Bacon
Start by cooking chopped bacon in a large skillet until it’s nice and crispy. Remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon but leave a little of that flavorful rendered fat behind.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Beans
Cook the shallot and garlic in the bacon fat until fragrant. Then, add the fresh green beans and sauté them until they turn bright green and are cooked but still have a bit of a crunch.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
While the beans cook, mix the bourbon, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar. Pour this sauce into the skillet and let it bubble and reduce until it thickens into a glaze that coats the beans.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
To finish, turn off the heat and stir the crispy bacon back into the skillet. Season everything with salt and pepper and serve right away.
What to Serve with Bourbon Bacon Green Beans
These green beans pair well with roasted chicken, a simple steak, or pork chops.
Expert Tips for Bourbon Bacon Green Beans
For extra tender beans, you can blanch them first. Boil them in salted water for 2-3 minutes, then plunge into an ice bath before adding them to the skillet in step 4. Reduce sauté time to 3-4 minutes.
If the pan seems too dry when you add the green beans, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil or a splash of water.
Use any bourbon you enjoy drinking. The alcohol will cook off, but the oak and vanilla notes will remain.
This recipe contains bacon, a cured pork product. For general food safety with uncured pork, cook whole cuts to 145°F (63°C) with a 3-minute rest, and ground pork to 160°F (71°C).
How to Store and Freeze Bourbon Bacon Green Beans
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Bourbon Bacon Green Beans Recipe FAQs
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes. You can replace the bourbon with an equal amount of chicken or beef broth, plus a teaspoon of molasses or a few drops of liquid smoke for depth of flavor.
Can I use frozen green beans?
Fresh green beans provide the best tender-crisp texture. If using frozen, thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. They may cook faster and be softer than fresh beans.
Is this dish spicy?
No, this recipe is not spicy. It’s savory and sweet. For a little heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
Bourbon Bacon Green Beans
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon chopped
- 1 lb fresh green beans trimmed, 450 g
- 1 large shallot finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup bourbon 60 ml
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 30 ml
- 1 tbsp packed brown sugar
- ½ tsp kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet and discard the rest.
- Add the chopped shallot to the skillet and cook in the bacon fat for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet. Stir to coat them in the fat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar.
- Pour the bourbon mixture over the green beans. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes, until the liquid has reduced to a light glaze that coats the beans.
- Turn off the heat. Stir the crispy bacon back into the green beans.
- Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve immediately.
Notes
