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Easy Crockpot Green Beans with Bacon and Onion

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Tender green beans slow-cooked with smoky bacon and caramelized onions in a rich broth. A simple, hands-off side dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or holiday feasts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place chopped bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fat renders and bacon is slightly crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat in the skillet.
  2. In the same skillet with bacon fat, add sliced onion. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Place trimmed green beans in the bottom of a 4-6 quart crockpot. Pour chicken broth over beans, then dot with butter. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Scatter sautéed onion and garlic over beans, then top with cooked bacon pieces.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours. At the 2-hour mark on LOW, gently stir to redistribute bacon and onions.
  5. Test beans for doneness: they should be tender but still have a slight bite. If too firm, cook for another 30 minutes and check again.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Transfer to a serving dish using tongs, spooning some cooking liquid over the top. Serve warm.

Notes

For crispier bacon, reserve half of the cooked bacon and sprinkle on top just before serving. If using frozen green beans, thaw and pat dry first to avoid excess water. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use 2 tablespoons smoked paprika and 1 tablespoon liquid smoke, sautéing onions in olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot green beans, slow cooker green beans, green beans with bacon, easy side dish, holiday side dish, bacon and onion green beans

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-crockpot-green-beans-with-bacon-and-onion-recipe/