Looking for a delicious way to dress up your green beans for the holidays? These Bacon Green Beans with Cranberries are the perfect combination of savory, sweet, and salty flavors that will have everyone reaching for seconds! Tender-crisp green beans are tossed with smoky, crispy bacon and sweet, chewy dried cranberries for a colorful side dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. The vibrant green beans and ruby-red cranberries make this recipe especially festive for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
Love green beans and want more? Then try this awesome Fresh Green Bean Casserole or our awesome Green Beans Almondine.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Perfect for the holidays
- Sweet and savory
- Quick and easy with no fuss
- Great textures with tender green beans, crisp bacon and chewy cranberries
- Pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, chicken, pork, and beef
Helpful Items For This Recipe
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge for you.
Large Serving Platter, 16″/14″/12″ Oval Platters Oven Safe, White Serving Plates
Bacon Green Beans Ingredients
If you’re tired of the same old green bean casserole, these Green Beans with Bacon and Cranberries are a wonderful alternative that brings fresh flavors and beautiful colors to your holiday table.
Ingredients
Thick-cut bacon – This needs to be cut into small cubes. Therefore it stays nice and crispy with the beans.
Medium shallot – The shallots need to be thinly sliced.
Dried cranberries – These add sweetness and chewiness to the dish, adding in a new delicious texture.
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper – Season to taste.
Green beans – These need to be cleaned and trimmed.
Goat cheese – Adds an amazing tang to the dish, making it irresistible.
How to Make Bacon Green Beans
Place the diced bacon in a large cold skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring often until crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the skillet to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the bacon fat in the skillet.
Add the sliced shallots and cranberries to the skillet, season with Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened, about 3 minutes.
Add the green beans to the skillet and 2-3 tbsps of water. Cover and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 – 7 minutes.
Transfer the beans to a serving platter, sprinkle with the crispy bacon and top with crumbled goat cheese.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Bacon Green Beans with Cranberries ahead of time?
Yes! You can blanch the green beans up to a day ahead and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cook the bacon in advance and refrigerate it separately. When you’re ready to serve, sauté the shallot with the cranberries, and toss in the crispy bacon.
Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen green beans work well, although their texture may be softer than fresh green beans. Thaw and drain them thoroughly before adding them to the skillet. Adjust the cooking time as needed. I do still prefer fresh green beans by far, though.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?
Fresh cranberries are much more tart than dried cranberries and need additional cooking to soften. For this recipe, dried cranberries are recommended because their sweetness and chewy texture balance the smoky bacon beautifully.
How do you keep green beans bright green?
Blanch the green beans briefly in boiling water, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath. This stops the cooking process and helps preserve their vibrant green color. They then only need a brief moment in the pan to heat through.
Can I make this recipe without bacon?
Yes! For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and sauté the green beans in olive oil or butter. Add toasted pecans or almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
How do you store leftover Bacon Green Beans with Cranberries?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. The bacon may lose some of its crispiness during storage.
Recipe Pro Tips
Use Fresh Green Beans: Fresh beans provide the best flavor, color, and texture for this recipe.
Don’t Overcook the Beans: Keep them tender-crisp so they don’t become mushy when reheated in the skillet.
Cook Bacon Until Crispy: Crispy bacon adds a wonderful contrast to the tender green beans and chewy cranberries.
Watch the Salt: Bacon is naturally salty, so taste the dish before adding additional salt.
Serve Immediately: These green beans are best enjoyed warm, while the bacon is still crispy.
WANT MORE DELICIOUS SIDES FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
The sides are really the stars! People love diving into some great potatoes, succulent veggies and wonderful breads. Here are some of our favorites.
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Bacon Green Beans with Cranberries Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon cut into small cubes
- 1 medium shallot thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
- 2 lbs green beans trimmed
- 2 oz goat cheese
Instructions
- Place the diced bacon in a large cold skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring often until crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the skillet to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the sliced shallots and cranberries to the skillet, season with Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the green beans to the skillet and 2-3 tbsps of water. Cover and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 – 7 minutes.
- Transfer the beans to a serving platter, sprinkle with the crispy bacon and top with crumbled goat cheese.
- Enjoy!
Let us know what you think!
We’d love to know what you and your family think! Make sure to leave a review below and follow us on your favorite social network!