Roasted Green Beans with onions and bacon

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Roasted Green Beans with onions and bacon are the perfect side dish for any meal! This easy recipe is full of flavor – baked green beans are the best vegetable to serve any day of the week. And with bacon? EVERYTHING is better!

white platter with roasted green beans, onions and bacon.

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

I actually love vegetables (way more than I love fruit), and I like them raw and steamed, but roasting them is my absolute favorite. From broccoli to asparagus to green beans, roasting vegetables brings out a delicious flavor that’s so much better than just steaming or sautéing. I’ve discovered I like so many more vegetables when I roast them, including Brussels sprouts and cauliflower.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This simple side dish is easy to prepare and even easier to clean up, and will add a bit of green on your dinner table. There are so many ways you can make these roasted green beans: with bacon, with onions, or even with parmesan. Adding the bacon makes it the ultimate comfort food side dish.

Ingredients for Baked Green Beans

Green Beans – I prefer using fresh green beans and buy the bag so they already come cut or trimmed. But you can substitute thawed frozen green beans.
Onion – White or yellow onions are great in this dish but you can also use a shallot.
Bacon – I prefer center cut bacon, but use your favorite kind.
Salt and Pepper – this should to taste.

bowl of green beans and onions with foil box

How to make Green Beans with Bacon and Onion

You start this dish by frying up some bacon. Dice it up firs, then cook it to however crispy you like it. Reserve the bacon fat to season the vegetables with!
Make sure your onion is chopped bite size. And you can chop the green beans or leave them long.
Toss green beans and onions in the bacon fat and add some pepper and a pinch of salt.
Place the green beans and onions on a cookie sheet covered with foil and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake until cooked through.
Once the green beans and onions are roasted, toss them with the bacon bits and serve. The bacon grease adds extra flavor and everyone will love that they have a green side dish that’s not a boring one!

baked green beans and onions on a cookie sheet with foil

Expert Tips

Make the perfect crunchy roasted green beans:

Try to place the green beans on the baking sheet in an even layer.
Stir at least twice during cooking to ensure even roasting.
Toss your green beans with bacon grease for extra flavor.
Serve hot, but store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

FAQs

Can you use frozen green beans?

Using frozen green beans in this recipe: thaw and drain them. They will need less time to roast than fresh beans.

Can I use canned green beans?

I don’t recommend using canned green beans for this recipe.

What is the best substitute for bacon?

If you don’t want to use bacon, just omit it. Add 2 teaspoons olive oil to the beans and onions when you’re tossing them, and you’ll need to add some extra salt to taste.

How to store leftover green beans?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.