How to Cook Frozen Green Beans with Bacon (Stovetop)
Cooking frozen green beans with bacon, onion, and garlic is quick, easy, and delicious. They’re perfect for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleaser during the holidays, and so good you might find yourself sneaking extra bites straight from the skillet! If you’re looking for a simple, flavorful side dish, this stovetop recipe is what you need.
This recipe makes about four servings (¾ cup each), but it’s easy to double for larger gatherings like Thanksgiving or Christmas. With minimal prep and just a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a side dish that’s big on flavor without overcomplicating your cooking.
If you like green beans with bacon, check out my New Potatoes with Green Beans and Bacon. It’s another simple, flavorful dish that pairs the richness of bacon with tender green beans.
Why You’ll Love These Frozen Green Beans with Bacon
- Simple is delicious: You don’t need a long list of ingredients for incredible flavor. Bacon, onion, and garlic are all it takes to turn frozen green beans into something special.
- One-skillet wonder: Everything cooks in the same pan, so it’s easy and low-mess.
- No thawing needed: The green beans go straight from the freezer into the skillet.
- Stovetop simplicity: No oven required, which is a big help when the oven is full of turkey or casseroles.
- Bacon makes everything better: The bacon adds crispy texture and smoky flavor, and the bacon grease infuses the green beans with rich, savory taste.
- Perfect for any occasion: Great for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts. Double it for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
The Best Way to Cook Frozen Green Beans
Frozen green beans often get a bad reputation for being soggy or bland, but that usually comes from boiling or microwaving them. The best way to cook frozen green beans is on the stove in a hot skillet with a little fat. Sautéing lets the extra moisture cook off, so the beans turn tender with a little bite instead of mushy, and they soak up all the flavor from the pan.
That’s exactly what this recipe for frozen green beans with bacon does. The bacon cooks first, then the frozen green beans cook right in the bacon grease. It’s the classic Southern-style way to make green beans taste like they simmered all afternoon, in a fraction of the time.
Kitchen Tools (affiliate links): large cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Full amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Frozen green beans: The star of this recipe. They’re easy to keep on hand and flavorful. No need to thaw.
- Bacon: Adds smoky, savory flavor. Cut into small pieces so it cooks evenly.
- Dried minced onion: A convenient option that gives the sweetness and flavor of fresh onion without the chopping.
- Dried minced garlic: Simple and flavorful, it brings depth to the dish.
- Salt and pepper: To enhance the overall flavors.
- Bacon grease: The grease left from cooking the bacon coats and cooks the green beans for a rich, flavorful finish.
How to Cook Frozen Green Beans on the Stove with Bacon
- Heat the skillet. Place a cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Cook the bacon. Cut the bacon into small pieces (about 1 inch) using kitchen scissors and add them directly to the hot skillet. Cook for 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Carefully drain the skillet, leaving 2–3 tablespoons of bacon grease behind.
- Cook the green beans. Add the frozen green beans to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Toss to coat, then cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
- Add the onion and garlic. Sprinkle the dried minced onion and garlic over the green beans. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Watch the garlic closely to prevent burning.
- Combine and season. Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and stir everything together. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve. Transfer the green beans to a serving dish and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t thaw the green beans. Thawed green beans release water and turn soft. Adding them straight from the freezer keeps them tender-crisp.
- Adjust the bacon grease as needed. If you’re cooking only 5 pieces of bacon, you may not need to drain any grease before adding the green beans. It depends on how fatty your bacon is, so adjust accordingly.
- Use a large enough skillet. Give the green beans room to cook evenly. Overcrowding the pan steams them instead of sautéing them.
- Leave the lid off. Cooking uncovered lets the moisture from the frozen beans cook off, so they don’t turn soggy.
- Taste as you go. Check the green beans for tenderness as they cook. You want them soft but not mushy.
- Add the garlic at the end. Dried garlic burns quickly in a hot skillet, so add it during the last minute or two.
Variations
- Fresh onion and garlic: Swap the dried minced onion and garlic for ½ cup diced fresh onion and a couple of minced cloves. Cook the onion in the bacon grease for a few minutes before adding the green beans.
- A little heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Sweet and smoky: Sprinkle in a teaspoon of brown sugar at the end for a sweet-and-salty twist.
- Parmesan finish: Top with freshly grated Parmesan just before serving.
What to Serve With Green Beans and Bacon
These frozen green beans with bacon go with just about any main dish:
- Holiday dinners: Turkey, ham, or Dutch Oven Whole Chicken
- Sunday supper: Oven Baked Chuck Roast or Dutch Oven Meatloaf with Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
- Weeknight comfort food: Hamburger Gravy, Hamburger Rice Casserole, or Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover frozen green beans with bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. The USDA has helpful guidance on storing leftovers safely.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring, until heated through. The microwave works too, but the bacon won’t stay as crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you thaw frozen green beans before cooking?
No. Cook frozen green beans straight from the freezer. Thawing them first makes them release water and turn mushy. Adding them frozen to a hot skillet keeps them tender with a little bite.
How long does it take to cook frozen green beans on the stove?
In a skillet over medium heat, frozen green beans take about 10 minutes to become tender, stirring occasionally. With the bacon, the whole recipe takes about 20 minutes.
How do you keep frozen green beans from getting soggy?
Don’t thaw them, don’t crowd the pan, and cook them uncovered in a hot skillet. This lets the excess moisture evaporate so the beans sauté instead of steam.
How do you make frozen green beans taste good?
Cook them in a little fat and season well. Bacon grease is the classic Southern way, adding smoky, savory flavor, and a little onion, garlic, salt, and pepper finishes them off.
Can I use fresh green beans instead?
Yes. Trim the ends first. Fresh green beans take longer to become tender than frozen, so cook until they reach the tenderness you like, adding a splash of water to the skillet if the pan gets dry.
Can I make frozen green beans with bacon ahead for Thanksgiving?
Yes. Cook the bacon a day ahead and refrigerate it, then cook the green beans in a little reserved bacon grease right before dinner. You can also make the whole dish ahead and reheat it in a skillet. The bacon will just be a little less crispy.
How do I double this recipe for a crowd?
Double all the ingredients. Use your largest skillet, or cook the green beans in two batches, so they have room to sauté instead of steam.
More Easy Side Dishes
- New Potatoes with Green Beans and Bacon
- Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes and Onions
- Sheet Pan Parmesan Roasted Vegetables
- Pan Fried Asparagus
- Cooking Bacon in a Cast Iron Skillet
Cooking Frozen Green Beans with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet No.10 Field Skillet 11 ⅝
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bag frozen green beans
- 5 pieces bacon, cut into 1" slices
- 1 teaspoon garlic (dried, minced)
- 1 teaspoon onion (dried, minced)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place a cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Cut the bacon into small pieces (about 1″) using kitchen scissors and add them directly to the hot skillet. Cook the bacon for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined dish. Carefully drain the skillet, leaving 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease behind.
- Add the frozen green beans to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Toss to coat them evenly, then cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
- Sprinkle the dried minced onion and garlic over the green beans. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be cautious not to let the garlic burn.
- Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and stir everything together. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the green beans to a serving dish and serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust Bacon Grease as Needed: If you’re cooking only 5 pieces of bacon, you may not need to drain any grease from the pan before adding the green beans. The amount of grease depends on how fatty your bacon is, so adjust accordingly.
- Use the Right Skillet Size: Make sure to use a large enough skillet so the green beans have room to cook evenly. Overcrowding the pan can cause uneven cooking and steaming instead of sautéing.
- Taste as You Go: Check the green beans for tenderness as they cook. You want them soft but not mushy.
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About Sarah
Wife. Mother. From-Scratch Cook. Homemaker.
I’m Sarah, the creator of Rocky Hedge Farm, where I share my love for simple living, homemade meals, and creating a cozy home. As a wife and mother, I’m passionate about slowing down, cooking from scratch, and finding joy in the everyday moments of life. From DIY projects and family-friendly recipes, I hope to inspire others to embrace a life rooted in simplicity and warmth.
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