Green beans with bacon is the side dish that steals the show — smoky bacon, sweet onion, and crisp-tender green beans, all from one Instant Pot. Ten minutes start to finish, and the beans soak up every bit of that savory bacon fat.
Green Beans with Bacon
(Total Time: 10 MIN| Serves: 6)
Ingredients:
5 rashers Bacon (diced)
1 cup (240 ml) Onion (diced)
6 cups (1440 ml) Green Beans (cut in half)
1 tsp (5 ml) Salt
1 tsp (5 ml) Ground Black Pepper
¼ cup Water
Directions:
- Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” and place in it the bacon. Cook until the grease melts, some 2-3 minutes, occasionally stirring.
- Add the onions, and cook for another 2 minutes while occasionally stirring.
- Add the green beans, salt, pepper and water and stir to combine.
- Place and lock the lid, and manually set the cooking time to 4 minutes at high pressure.
- When done quick release the pressure and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve warm.
(Calories: 122 | Total Fats: 7g | Net Carbs: 7g | Proteins: 4g |Fibers: 3g)
Pro Tips
- Render the bacon on Sauté until the fat has actually melted out — that grease is the cooking fat and the seasoning for the whole dish.
- Halve the beans so they sit snugly under the pressure line and cook evenly in the 4 minutes at high pressure.
- Quick release right at the end so the beans stop cooking and keep a little snap; a natural release would stew them soft.
- For extra depth, crisp a few reserved bacon bits in a dry pan and scatter them over the top just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make green beans with bacon ahead of time?
Yes — cook the dish, cool it, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Rewarm on Sauté with a splash of water so the onions do not stick.
Can I use frozen green beans?
You can, though they will be softer. Drop the pressure time to about 2 minutes and skip the extra water since frozen beans release liquid.
What if I do not eat pork?
Turkey bacon works in the same method, but add a teaspoon of cooking fat to the pot first — it renders far less grease than pork bacon.
Why are my beans mushy?
Usually a natural release instead of a quick one, or beans cut too small. Keep the halves chunky and vent the pressure immediately.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Method
- Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” and place in it the bacon.
- Cook until the grease melts, some 2-3 minutes, occasionally stirring.
- Add the onions, and cook for another 2 minutes while occasionally stirring.
- Add the green beans, salt, pepper and water and stir to combine.
- Place and lock the lid, and manually set the cooking time to 4 minutes at high pressure.
- When done quick release the pressure and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve warm. (Calories: 122 | Total Fats: 7g | Net Carbs: 7g | Proteins: 4g |Fibers: 3g)
