Skillet Green Beans are made in just 15 minutes and bursting with flavor with sauteed bell peppers and garlic. These green beans are like no other side dish you have ever had.
Looking for a new go-to green bean recipe? My Skillet Green Beans are it. I started making these green beans cooking in bacon fat over a decade ago. It was all by accident and was never intended to be shared with the world. I had cooked my pork chops in bacon fat and decided to lessen the dish load by add the green beans directly to the pan once the pork chops were done cooking and removed.
After the first bite, we both knew these were going to be the go to green bean side dish. I have well over a handful on the blog, but this by far is our favorite way to eat them.
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Why this Recipe Works
Green Bean Seasoning – The green beans are cooked in glorious bacon fat and with a mixture of diced bell peppers, onions, and salt and pepper. Plus I add in a little chicken broth for additional flavor (if you are Vegan you can substitute for vegetable broth). All of these flavors combined lead to a delicious green bean side dish.
Fresh Ingredients – This side dish only has a handful of ingredients and most are fresh (minus the bacon fat which you need to render after cooking bacon.
Quick Cooking Recipe – This side dish comes together in 15 minutes time from start to finish. You can save even more time if you buy green beans that are already trimmed from the store. Same goes with buying pre-diced bell pepper.
Ingredients
- Green Beans – I like to use only fresh green beans for this recipe.
- Bell Pepper – You will want both red and orange bell peppers.
- Onion – I like to use onion flakes for this recipe as they soften and don’t give a very pungent onion flavor.
- Bacon Fat – Bacon fat is the key to this recipe. It gives the green beans so much more flavor.
- Chicken Broth – A little chicken broth will be needed to help steam the green beans.
- Seasoning – Salt and pepper is needed to season the beans.
How to Cook Green Beans on Stove
How to Season Green Beans – In a large skillet, melt the rendered bacon fat over high heat. This will create a delicious base for the green beans.
Place the trimmed green beans into the skillet and give them a good mix, ensuring that the bacon fat coats the green beans evenly. This step helps to infuse the beans with the smoky flavor of the bacon fat.
Reduce the heat to medium-high and mix in the bell pepper/onion mix. Season with salt and black pepper according to your taste preferences. This combination adds a vibrant crunch and complementary flavors to the dish.
Pour in the ½ cup of chicken broth and mix well with the green beans, bell peppers, and onions. The broth helps to create a moist cooking environment and adds a savory element to the dish.
Place a lid on the skillet and let the green beans cook for approximately 10 minutes. Stir halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. If the skillet appears dry or the green beans are at risk of burning, add more chicken broth as needed.
Once the green beans are tender and cooked to your desired texture, remove the lid from the skillet and take the pan off the heat. Give the green beans one final mix to distribute the flavors evenly.
Transfer the green beans to a serving dish, and they are ready to be enjoyed! This delicious side dish pairs well with a variety of main courses and is sure to impress your family and friends.
Recipe FAQs
I don’t suggest using frozen green beans for this recipe; however, you can if that is really all you have. Keep in mind that frozen green beans may have a slightly different texture compared to fresh ones.
While bacon fat adds a unique flavor to the dish, you can use other cooking fats like olive oil or butter as alternatives. However, you may miss out on the smoky bacon flavor.
The cooking time can vary depending on your desired texture and the thickness of the green beans. Generally, cooking them for about 10 minutes with the lid on should result in tender yet crisp green beans. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, or cherry tomatoes. Just keep in mind that different vegetables may require different cooking times.
While it’s best to enjoy skillet green beans freshly cooked, you can prepare them partially in advance. Cook the green beans until they are almost done, then store them in the refrigerator. Finish cooking them just before serving to retain their texture and flavor.
The life long debate of what they are called… string beans vs green beans. They are the same exact vegetable. String beans is a more old fashioned term that most people don’t use these days. So if you hear someone call them string beans, don’t fear it’s the same thing as green beans.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my tips and tricks when cooking green beans in a skillet.
- Fresh – Choose fresh, firm green beans: Look for green beans that are bright in color, firm to the touch, and free from any blemishes. This ensures that they are fresh and will cook evenly.
- Trim the green beans properly – Remove the ends of the green beans before cooking. You can also snap or cut them into desired lengths for easier handling.
- Don’t overcook the green beans – Keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid overcooking the green beans. They should remain crisp and vibrant, not mushy.
- Add a touch of acidity – Enhance the flavors of skillet green beans by adding a splash of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of vinegar towards the end of cooking. It adds brightness and balances the richness.
- Customize the seasoning – Experiment with different seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Try adding garlic, herbs like thyme or rosemary, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Add a finishing touch – Before serving, consider garnishing the green beans with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, toasted almonds, or chopped fresh herbs. This adds a final layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Use a cast-iron skillet – A cast-iron skillet is ideal for cooking green beans as it provides even heat distribution and retains heat well. This helps achieve a delicious char and caramelization.
Green Bean Recipes
Looking for more green beans recipes? Try these other green bean recipes. Don’t forget to check out my 30+ Holiday Side Dishes if it’s the holidays and you are looking for something else to serve alongside these pan fried green beans.
If you make this skillet green bean recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Skillet Green Beans
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Frying Pan
- 1 Stove Top
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon bacon fat
- 1 pound green beans ends trimmed
- 1 cup mixed bell peppers and onion diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth more if needed
Instructions
- In a large skillet melt the rendered bacon fat on high heat.
- Then place the trimmed green beans into the skillet, give it a good mix so that the bacon fat is coated on the green beans. Reduce the heat to medium-high then mix in the bell pepper/onion mix (see notes below), salt, and black pepper.
- Mix well and then add the ½ cup of chicken broth. Place a lid on the skillet and let cook for 10 minutes. Mix half way through the cooking process and place the lid back on the skillet (add more chicken broth if it's starting to get dry and looks like the green beans could burn).
- Remove the lid from the skillet and the pan from the heat as soon as the green beans are done cooking. Mix the green beans one last time and then serve.
Notes
- Fresh – Choose fresh, firm green beans: Look for green beans that are bright in color, firm to the touch, and free from any blemishes. This ensures that they are fresh and will cook evenly.
- Trim the green beans properly – Remove the ends of the green beans before cooking. You can also snap or cut them into desired lengths for easier handling.
- Don’t overcook the green beans – Keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid overcooking the green beans. They should remain crisp and vibrant, not mushy.
- Add a touch of acidity – Enhance the flavors of skillet green beans by adding a splash of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of vinegar towards the end of cooking. It adds brightness and balances the richness.
- Customize the seasoning – Experiment with different seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Try adding garlic, herbs like thyme or rosemary, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Add a finishing touch – Before serving, consider garnishing the green beans with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, toasted almonds, or chopped fresh herbs. This adds a final layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Use a cast-iron skillet – A cast-iron skillet is ideal for cooking green beans as it provides even heat distribution and retains heat well. This helps achieve a delicious char and caramelization.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!