Description
Sweet & Sour Green Beans is a comforting side dish featuring tender green beans baked in a tangy sauce made from bacon drippings, brown sugar, and vinegar. Crispy bacon bits and fresh green onions add savory depth and freshness, making it an ideal addition to family dinners or holiday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans
- 5 (15-oz) cans green beans, drained
Bacon & Sauce
- ½ lb bacon
- 6 Tbsp brown sugar
- 6 Tbsp white vinegar
- ¼ cup bacon drippings (reserved from cooking bacon)
Garnish
- 4 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the dish.
- Prepare Green Beans: Drain the canned green beans thoroughly and pour them into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking pan, spreading evenly.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is almost done but not fully crispy. Remove the bacon and place on paper towels to drain excess fat, then chop into pieces. Reserve ¼ cup of the bacon drippings from the skillet for the sauce.
- Make Sauce: Using the still-hot skillet, combine the reserved bacon drippings, brown sugar, and white vinegar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the brown sugar dissolves fully and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Assemble: Sprinkle the chopped bacon evenly over the green beans in the baking pan. Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the top, ensuring an even coating.
- Bake: Place the pan uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top for freshness and a mild onion bite. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute canned green beans with fresh green beans blanched for about 5 minutes to reduce excess water content.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the brown sugar slightly to 4 tablespoons.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use olive oil instead of bacon drippings, but note that the flavor profile will change.
- The dish reheats well and can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
