Green beans cooked with lots of bacon and onion and coated in a sweet, salty, and sour sauce make one of the best side dishes ever. The kind of side dish where you don’t even care if there is a main dish.
My favorite way to cook green beans is this Southern-Style Green Bean recipe, but this is a close second. It’s kind of like a German potato salad only with green beans.
Type of Green Beans to Use
I like to use fresh green beans but you could certainly use canned or frozen. You can use either regular green beans or the thinner French-style.
The sweet and sour flavor primarily comes from sugar and apple cider vinegar. Bacon adds even more saltiness. Onions are cooked in the bacon grease to add even more bacon flavor.
Sweet and Sour Green Beans are so easy to make with ingredients you most likely already have on hand.
Even if you’re not typically a fan of green beans, this recipe is a must try. I don’t think there will be any leftovers.
Make Them Spicy
These green beans have lots of sweet and sour flavor. If you want to add some spice, add up to a half teaspoon of caynne pepper.
How To Store
Leftovers will keep for 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in a microwave.
More Ways To Cook Green Beans
- Candied Green Beans
- Green Beans with Bacon Breadcrumbs
- Smothered Cajun Green Beans
- Maple-Glazed Green Beans
- Crispy Fried Green Beans
Never miss a recipe. Follow Spicy Southern Kitchen on Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook.
Watch the short video below to see how easy this recipe is to make.
Sweet and Sour Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds fresh green beans,, ends trimmed
- 5 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1/2 medium sweet onion,, chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place green beans in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil. Simmer 12 to 15 minutes. Drain.
- Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook until crisp in a large nonstick pan or cast iron skillet. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add onion to bacon drippings and cook until softened.
- Add remaining ingredients to pan and stir to mix.
- Add green beans to pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Continue to cook 1-2 minutes, stirring often so that the green beans pick up as much flavor as possible.
- Sprinkle bacon on top and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted June 5, 2016
Hi! We have made these since the 1970’s but also addd 2 TLB Katsup. It gives it a little tomato tang but doesn’t change the sweet n sour taste. These are sooo good! Having them today with Boston Pork Butt, (Garlic stuffed in pockets and oven slow-roasted)-carrots, onions (with the roast); mashed potatoes, and sweet n sour French Green beans (Haricot Verts). Yummy!
This has become a family favorite! And it really doesn’t take that much time.
Yum! Was a really good way to spruce up frozen beans. So good
Not bad but really low on flavor. And that’s considering I added fresh garlic and used less green beans than called for. Ended up adding more of each sauce ingredient and soy sauce — still underwhelming.
If you like some spice, you could add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper or hot sauce – or all 3 for lots of heat. Or add some sliced peppers with the onion when frying.
These sound amazing and I’m going to make for Thanksgiving! Could you substitute balsamic for apple cider vinegar?
I’ve been trying to find new side dishes with vegetables for my family get-togethers. OH my word..this sounds aaaaaamazing! It will be on our Thanksgiving table for sure!
Thank you Christ in for sharing this recipe! I have made them twice now. What a wonderful way to prepare one of my favorite veggies!
So happy you enjoyed it Patti!
Has anyone ever tossed these with almond slivers?
If I increase the recipe to 12 servings, should I increase the bacon to an equivalent amount and use all the bacon drippings? Seems like it would be a pretty greasy dish. What do you recommend?
I would increase the bacon and you can get rid of some of the bacon drippings if it seems like too much.
Could this be made in the crockpot with fresh green beans (without precooking). Would I have to tweak the recipe and how long would I have to cook on low or high.
I’ve never made this particular recipe in a crock pot Diane. Try basing it off of this recipe -https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/slow-cooker-grean-beans
Can you can sweet and sour green beans?
They could be canned with a pressure cooker without the bacon. Green beans are a low acid vegetable so waterbath is not an option, even with a little vinegar. I’ve been canning for 30+ years & have never risked canning meats.