Copycat Cracker Barrel Green Beans – Smoky Bacon Perfection

Copycat Cracker Barrel Green Beans deliver tender, smoky canned green beans simmered in bacon drippings with sweet onions for authentic country-style flavor. This easy side dish takes just 10 minutes to prep and simmers hands-free to perfection, serving 6-8 as a budget-friendly crowd-pleaser alongside ham, fried chicken, or holiday roasts.

Tender green beans absorb rich bacon flavor without turning mushy, thanks to a low simmer in their own liquid. Add a touch of sugar for that signature Southern sweetness that elevates canned beans to restaurant quality. Perfect for weeknights or make-ahead feasts, these reheat beautifully and pair with everything.​

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These copycat green beans capture craveable smoky taste with minimal effort.

• Foolproof flavor from bacon drippings and undrained cans.
• Hands-off cooking: just 45 minutes simmering undisturbed.
• Make-ahead friendly for stress-free holidays.
• Low-cost using pantry staples.​

Ingredients

Serves 6-8 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 55 min

• 4 cans (14.5 oz each) cut green beans, undrained
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, to taste)

Instructions

1. Chop bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook bacon 5-7 minutes until fat renders and edges brown but not crisp. No need to drain.​
2. Add undrained green beans (with liquid), diced onion, sugar, pepper, and salt if using. Stir once to combine.​
3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat (3-5 minutes), then reduce to low simmer. Cover and cook undisturbed 35-45 minutes until onions soften and flavors meld. Beans stay tender without stirring.​
4. Remove lid, taste, and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with slotted spoon, letting excess liquid drain. Pairs perfectly with cornbread or mashed potatoes.​

Expert Tips for Perfect Results

• Bacon choice matters: thick-cut renders more fat for deeper flavor.
• Don’t stir during simmer: preserves bean texture.
• Too thin? Uncover last 10 minutes to reduce liquid.
• Scale up easily: double for 12 servings, use larger pot.​

Make-Ahead Guide

Timeline	Instructions
1-2 Days Ahead	Cook fully, cool, cover in pot, refrigerate.
Serving Day	Reheat covered on low 15-20 minutes, stir once.
Freezer	Cook, cool, freeze in airtight container up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, reheat stovetop.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in covered container with some liquid in fridge up to 5 days. Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat, adding splash of water if needed. Microwave works too: covered, 2-3 minutes stirring halfway. Freezes well for 2 months.​

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	85
Total Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	2g
Sodium	650mg
Carbohydrates	8g
Fiber	3g
Sugar	3g
Protein	4g

Perfect Pairings

• Holidays: Roast ham, turkey, sweet potato casserole.
• Weeknights: Fried chicken, mac and cheese, biscuits.
• Summer BBQ: Ribs, coleslaw, baked beans.​

Canned vs. Fresh Green Beans

Feature	Canned (This Recipe)	Fresh
Prep Time	10 min	25 min
Simmer Time	45 min	20 min
Flavor Intensity	Smoky, bold	Milder
Cost per Serving	$1	$2.50

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh green beans?
Yes, trim 1.5 lbs and add 1 cup chicken broth. Simmer 20-25 minutes until tender.​

Crockpot version?
Brown bacon/onion first, add all to slow cooker. Low 3-4 hours or high 2 hours.​

Too salty?
Use low-sodium cans and skip added salt. Rinse lightly if needed.​

Vegan option?
Swap bacon for smoked turkey or liquid smoke (1/2 tsp) with olive oil.​

Add garlic?
Stir in 2 minced cloves with onions for extra savoriness.​

More liquid at end?
Normal; serve with slotted spoon or reduce uncovered.​

Double the recipe?
Yes, use 8-qt pot; cooking time same.​

Instant Pot method?
Brown bacon saute mode, add rest, pressure high 5 min natural release 10 min.​

Low carb friendly?
Absolutely, 5g net carbs per serving.​

Potato addition?
Dice 2 Yukon Golds small, add with beans for hearty version.​

Brown sugar instead?
Yes, 1 tbsp for deeper sweetness.​

No onion preference?
Omit or use shallots for milder bite.​

Spicier kick?
Add red pepper flakes (1/4 tsp) with seasonings.​

Holiday batch size?
Recipe scales perfectly; x1.5 for 10-12 people.​

These Copycat Cracker Barrel Green Beans bring smoky Southern comfort to your table every time. Pin your favorite steps, share your tweaks in comments, or tag your holiday spread.

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