Homestyle Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon & Ranch
Make incredibly flavorful Green Beans and Potatoes! This easy recipe features tender green beans, creamy baby potatoes, crispy bacon, and zesty Ranch seasoning simmered in broth.
Ingredients
(Based on 1x column)
Core Ingredients:
- ▢ 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ▢ 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- ▢ 6 slices of bacon, diced
- ▢ 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ▢ 1 packet (1 oz) Ranch seasoning mix
- ▢ 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
- ▢ 1 tsp dried thyme
- ▢ 1 tsp dried rosemary
- ▢ Salt and pepper, to taste (use salt cautiously)
- ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, if bacon is lean)
Optional Ingredients:
- ▢ Red pepper flakes or hot sauce
- ▢ Shredded cheddar cheese (for adding at the end)
- ▢ Corn, carrots, or bell peppers
- ▢ Fresh parsley, oregano, or basil for garnishing
Instructions
(Prep Time: ~20 min | Cook Time: ~30-40 min)
1. Cook the Bacon:
- Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the diced bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the crispy bacon bits from the skillet and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic:
- Check the amount of bacon fat in the skillet. If there’s very little (if bacon was lean), add the optional tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the finely chopped onion to the hot bacon fat in the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Add Green Beans and Potatoes:
- Add the trimmed and cut fresh green beans and the halved or quartered baby potatoes to the skillet with the onions and garlic.
- Stir everything together to coat the vegetables lightly in the bacon fat. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Season and Simmer:
- Pour in the chicken broth.
- Sprinkle the Ranch seasoning mix, dried thyme, and dried rosemary evenly over the vegetables. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, and let it simmer gently.
- Simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the green beans and potatoes are tender to your liking when pierced with a fork.
5. Finish and Serve:
- Once the vegetables are tender, remove the lid. Return the reserved crispy bacon bits to the skillet.
- Stir gently to combine the bacon with the vegetables.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed (remember bacon and Ranch mix are salty).
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, oregano, or basil, if desired. Serve immediately while hot.