This Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon recipe is a quick, low carb, and nutritious dish that can be eaten either as a side dish or as a keto-friendly meal. Just beans, bacon, and a few seasonings make this a fast and easy dinner or side dish.
What Makes These Instant Pot Green Beans With Bacon So Good?
- Easy. It's practically not even a recipe. It's so so so simple and basically a pour and cook recipe.
- Fast. Done in under 30 minutes.
- Healthy. A great veggie side dish.
- Low Carb. Only 7 net carbs per serving.
- Yummy. Packed with bacon and onion flavor.
Given it's quick, nutritious, tasty, and low-carb, plus something I can either eat as a side dish or as my main meal, I find myself making it SO often.
And can I just tell you something? This is one of my most popular recipes. I know it looks like nothing, but fortunately for you, it tastes FANTASTIC. Just #trustUrvashi on this one. It's totally worth it.
How Long Does It Take To Cook A Pot Of Green Beans In The Instant Pot?
How long you pressure cook your green beans with bacon should be determined by the consistency you prefer. I prefer a slight crisp to mine, so this recipe calls for 4 minutes under high pressure with a quick pressure release.
If you want them softer, increase the time under pressure by one minute. If you prefer them just slightly steamed, reduce the time under pressure by a minute.
Can You Overcook Green Beans?
Well, yes and no. It kind of comes down to preference. Typically properly cooked green beans will have slight crispiness, but some people prefer them a little softer. I tend to cook them just enough so they still have a slight bite for this Green Beans With Bacon recipe, but you can adjust to your personal preference.
Do You Have To Cook Bacon Before Putting It In Beans?
I prefer to saute my bacon before adding in my green beans to give it a little more texture. Even though it is cooked under pressure with the green beans after it is sauteed, it helps it maintain a firmer texture than simply pressure cooking it alone.
How to Make Instant Pot Green Beans and Bacon
1. Chop up the bacon and place it into the Instant Pot. You do not need to sauté the bacon.
2. Add chopped white onion to the pot. You can use yellow onion, or frozen onions if you prefer.
3. Add cut green beans, salt, and pepper. You can also use frozen green beans. Do not use french cut green beans as they are too thinly sliced for this recipe.
4. Add just a little water. Remember the onions and green beans will also be releasing very flavorful water. We don't want to make soup!
5. Set your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker to 4 minutes on high pressure. At the end of the cooking time, release all pressure immediately by turning the valve to Venting.
6. Done! I often eat just steamed green beans for dinner alone. With the addition of bacon, it really can be a complete meal.
Tips and Tricks for Instant Pot Green Beans and Bacon
- Sauté or not?: I don't usually sauté the bacon. I put in all the ingredients, and just set the pot for 4 minutes. Think of this as a faster version of boiled pork for seasoning.
- Crunchy or Tender: These southern green beans are falling-apart tender and full of flavor. If you like them crunchier, cook for 2 minutes under pressure. If you want them even softer, allow the pressure cooker to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release any remaining pressure--or just let it release pressure naturally all the way for even more well-cooked green beans.
- Other meats: You can also cut up small pieces of ham instead of bacon.
- Fresh or Frozen?: Are you wondering how to cook frozen green beans for this green beans and bacon recipe? You do not need to defrost the beans, nor do you need to increase the cooking time.
- No Pork: If you avoid pork, use chicken or beef sausage diced up into small pieces.
- Variations: If you want to make Instant Pot Green beans with Ham and Potatoes, use baby potatoes. Cut the potatoes into halves. Increase water to 1/2 cup. Use ham instead of bacon. Other than that, cook as directed.
How Long Do They Last?
Instant Pot Green Beans are a great side dish to make for meal prep. Not only do they pair well with a multitude of main courses, but they also store and reheat very well.
For the best results, try to enjoy this tasty Green Beans and Bacon recipe within 4-5 days of preparing them. This will keep the green beans from becoming too soft.
What Pairs Well With Green Beans?
These Instant Pot Green Beans pair well with so many of my favorite comfort foods, both low carb and not. Here are my favorite dishes to pair them with:
Love Green Beans? Check Out These Recipes!
- Air Fryer Green Beans with Bacon recipe- Made easy in your air fryer.
- Shawarma Green Beans- Ready for the table in just 15 minutes from start to finish!
- Oven Shwarma Green Beans recipe- no air fryer? No problem.
- Keto Green Bean Casserole- A must for your family get-togethers.
- Keto Coleslaw- A tasty low carb version of a family favorite.
So whether you plan on using this recipe as a side dish or just plan on cooking it for a quick and easy keto-friendly meal, you're sure to love these Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon. Make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can enjoy it as well!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup (160 g) Onion, diced
- 5 slices (5 slices) Bacon, diced
- 6 cups (660 g) green beans, cut in half
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup (62.5 g) Water
Instructions
- You could either put all the ingredients in the pressure cooker in the order listed, or you could follow the steps below.
- Turn your Instant Pot or pressure cooker on Sauté, and follow the steps in this order.
- Cut up the bacon and put it in the hot pressure cooker.
- Start dicing the onion and put it in as you cut it.
- Stir the bacon and onions and start cutting up the green beans.
- Add the beans, water, salt and pepper to the pot.
- Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, and release all pressure immediately.
- Taste and add salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Watch The Video
Tips and Tricks for Instant Pot Green Beans and Bacon
- Sauté or no?: I don't usually sauté the bacon. I put in all the ingredients, and just set the pot for 4 minutes. Think of this as a faster version of boiled pork for seasoning.
- Crunchy or Tender: These green beans and bacon are falling-apart tender and full of flavor. If you like them crunchier, cook for 2 minutes under pressure. If you like them even softer, allow the pressure cooker to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release any remaining pressure--or just let it release pressure naturally all the way for even more well-cooked green beans.
- Other meats: You can also cut up small pieces of ham instead of bacon.
- Fresh or Frozen?: You can also use frozen green beans for this green beans and bacon recipe. You do not need to defrost the beans, nor do you need to increase the cooking time.I
- No Pork: If you avoid pork, use chicken or beef sausage diced up into small pieces.
- Variations: If you want to make Instant Pot Green beans with Ham and Potatoes, use baby potatoes. Cut the potatoes into halves. Increase water to 1/2 cup. Use ham instead of bacon. Other than that, cook as directed.
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Nutrition
This post was originally published on August 28, 2017, at 2:21 PM.
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deb
These always turn out perfectly and everyone loves them! I use fresh green beans. Thanks for this fabulous and easy way to keto!
KIM
Do I have to use the ham instead of bacon if I use potatoes?
TwoSleevers
Nope! Bacon will work as well.
Amy Kaser
Can you make this in a slow cooker?
Denise
This is the way I make my southern style greens every Christmas. Saute the bacon until you get lots of yummy bacon grease. add a cloves of garlic and onions.
Layer b beans, onion bacon with sugar, salt and pepper. I use sugar free brown or white sugar. Both are great. Brown adds the molasses.
Manual pressure for 15 minutes