• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Art From My Table
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Meet Chellie
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Meet Chellie
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Arkansas Green Beans

    Published: Nov 5, 2021 by Chellie Schmitz

    Pin
    Share
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Fresh green beans combined with a tangy garlic-butter sauce and topped with crisp bacon makes this Arkansas Green Beans recipe an unforgettable side dish! via @artfrommytableFresh green beans combined with a tangy garlic-butter sauce and topped with crisp bacon makes this Arkansas Green Beans recipe an unforgettable side dish! via @artfrommytable

    Fresh green beans combined with a tangy garlic-butter sauce and topped with crisp bacon makes this Arkansas Green Beans recipe an unforgettable side dish!

    Green beans are one of the best, staple side dishes because they taste great and have several health benefits.

    Arkansas Green Beans in a casserole dish.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Key Ingredients and Substitutions
    • How To Make Arkansas Green Beans 
    • Chef’s Tips and Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Make Ahead Instructions
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Related Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    There are several ways to perfectly cook this tasty veggie. The Arkansas method that utilizes bacon is one of my favorites, but you can try my Garlic Roasted Green Beans or Air fryer green beans if you're looking for something without bacon. 

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Only 35 minutes.
    • Pairs well with most meals.
    • Can be made ahead.

    Key Ingredients and Substitutions

    Ingredients for Arkansas Green Beans
    • Green Beans - I'm using fresh, which I like best. Frozen or canned are an option, but the texture and flavor will vary.
    • Bacon - Traditionally pork bacon, but you can use turkey bacon too. To save time, you can substitute store bought pre-cooked bacon. However, be sure to check the ingredients. If the pre-cooked bacon has a maple flavoring it will affect the flavor of this recipe.
    • Butter- I always cook with unsalted butter, so I can control the level of saltiness.
    • Brown Sugar- The brown sugar sugar adds a bit of sweet to the otherwise salty flavor. You can substitute coconut sugar, or a stevia based sweetener like Swerve Brown.
    • Soy Sauce- This ingredient adds a surprising kick of flavor to the dish!
    • Garlic- Fresh is best! If that's not an option, you can use the jarred version, or garlic powder. If using the powder, use 1 teaspoon.
    • Salt & Pepper- To taste! Soy sauce is salty on it's own, so I recommend adding these seasonings afterwards to satisfy your taste buds, if needed.

    How To Make Arkansas Green Beans 

    There are three parts to this recipe:

    • prepping the bacon
    • prepping the beans
    • assembling and baking the dish

    I'll break down each part for you so you know exactly what to do.

    PART ONE: PREPARE THE BACON

    The easiest way to cook bacon is in the oven. I LOVE crispy bacon, but for this recipe, don't let it get that far. It's going in the oven a second time with the beans and it will get its crispness then.

    NOTE: My bacon is not perfect strips because it came straight from the farm, but it tastes amazing!

    two image collage showing before and after cooking bacon in the oven.
    1. Lay strips of bacon on a rimmed baking sheet, bake in a preheated 350° oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked, but not crispy. 
    2. After cooking, transfer each piece to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb extra grease. Once cooled enough to handle, chop into pieces.

    PART TWO: BLANCH THE BEANS

    Blanching the beans is an extra step that is worth it in my opinion. Blanching helps preserve the color, nutrients, and texture of the beans. I don't care for mushy beans, so this is my secret sauce for the perfect bean.

    Two picture collage showing how to blanch green beans; step one boil, step two ice bath.
    1. Add the green beans to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. While the beans are cooking, prepare an ice bath by placing 2 cups of ice cubes in a bowl, add very cold water, set aside.
    2. After 3 minutes of boiling, drain the beans and immediately put them in the ice bath to stop the cooking.

    They will be crisp-tender at this point and will soften a little bit more after cooking in the oven.

    PART THREE: ASSEMBLE AND BAKE

    four image collage showing how to assemble Arkansas Green Beans recipe.
    1. Place melted butter, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic into a measuring cup or small bowl. Stir until combined.
    2. Place the blanched green beans in a 9x13 baking dish.
    3. Pour the sauce over and toss to coat well.
    4. Add the bacon over the top. Bake for 20-30 minutes. 

    Chef’s Tips and Variations

    • Freshness Counts- When shopping for green beans, look for a bold green color and firm skin that makes a snapping sound when you break it in half.
    • Trim- Be sure that you trim your beans so that they don’t have the wiry stems on them. It’s annoying to take those off later. 
    • Prep Early- You can save loads of time with this recipe by prepping early with several ingredients.
    • Easy clean up- Lining the sheet pan with foil makes for easy clean up.
    • Blanching- This step sets this recipe apart from all the others! It keeps the color bright and beautiful and leaves health benefits to your veggies. It also gives this dish the perfect texture (no mushy beans here!)
    • Don’t overcook bacon- Pull bacon out of the oven before it gets crispy. (It will start crisping at 15-20 minutes.)  The bacon will crisp up and cook more when you’re cooking the entire dish in the oven. If you start with crispy bacon, it may burn. 
    • Sliced or slivered almonds, or Candied Pecans make a delicious addition to the topping if you're a fan of nuts.
    White casserole dish filled with green beans topped with bacon

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why do you blanch green beans?

    Blanching, after boiling, immediately stops the cooking process and stops enzymes from breaking down. This sudden stop helps to preserve the vivid green color of the vegetable. It also prevents the loss of nutrients such as vitamins D and K.After blanching, you can freeze or refrigerate your beans in airtight containers.   

    Should green beans be washed before cooking?

    Green beans should be washed thoroughly before cooking to prevent dirt and debris that may be left behind from getting into your recipe or cross-contaminating other ingredients. 

    Can I substitute frozen or canned green beans?

    Yes, however, depending on the recipe it may vary your results in flavor and texture.

    For this recipe, canned beans work fine, but their texture is much softer, and you may need to adjust the soy sauce as some canned beans contain salt. Frozen beans can also be used, you may need to increase your cooking time. Also, they will release moisture when cooking, so you will have excess water in the dish.

    If you do use canned or frozen, you can skip the blanching step. It won't do anything for canned beans because they are already cooked, and frozen beans are typically already blanched.

    Make Ahead Instructions

    If you happen to be serving this up on a holiday or you're just extra busy, you can save some time by prepping ahead of time. Keep the ingredients separate and store them in the fridge.

    • Prep the bacon up to 3 days in advance.
    • Blanch the green beans 1 day in advance
    • Make the sauce 1 day ahead of time.

    Because the sauce has butter in it, after making it, it will re-harden. You can melt it again in the microwave just before using it. Use 20-second increments for re-heating and stir in between. Also, cover it with a paper towel one of those plastic microwave lids. If you heat too long, it can pop and make a big mess.

    Storing & Freezing

    Store cooked Arkansas beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. When you are ready to reheat, we recommend roasting in the oven. This will re-crisp the bacon.  

    If you have leftovers, you can certainly freeze them in an air-tight container for up to 6 months. When you thaw and reheat, it may have a softer texture.

    Related Recipes

    • Homemade Green Bean Casserole
    • Easy Roasted Vegetables
    • Garlic Butter Green Beans
    • Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction

    Please share

    Your shares are how this site grows, and I appreciate each one. Do you know someone who would enjoy this recipe?

    I’d love it if you shared it on your favorite Pinterest board or Facebook! AND…if you like this recipe, please do me a favor and give it a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ rating! TIA 🥰

    You can also follow along on YouTube and Instagram!

    📋 Recipe

    Arkansas Green Beans in a white casserole dish

    Arkansas green beans

    Fresh green beans combined with a tangy garlic-butter sauce and topped with crisp bacon makes this Arkansas Green Beans recipe an unforgettable side dish!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 212kcal
    Author: Chellie Schmitz
    Cost: $5

    Equipment

    • 9x13 casserole dish
    • Rimmed baking sheet
    • Foil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ pound fresh green beans ends trimmed
    • 6-8 slices bacon cooked (not crispy) and chopped.
    • ¼ cup butter melted
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
    • 2 garlic cloves pressed
    • Salt and pepper to taste this will vary as bacon and soy sauce are salty

    Instructions

    Cook Bacon:

    • Preheat oven to 350.
    • Lay strips of bacon on a rimmed baking sheet, bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked, but not crispy.
    • After cooking, transfer each piece to a plate lined with paper towel to absorb extra grease. Once cooled enough to handle, chop into pieces.

    Blanch Beans:

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
    • Prepare an ice bath by placing 2 cups of ice cubes in a bowl, add very cold water, set aside.
    • Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes.
    • Drain the beans and immediately put them in the ice bath to stop the cooking.

    Cook the beans:

    • Place melted butter, sugar, soy sauce, and pressed garlic into a measuring cup or small bowl. Stir until combined.
    • Place the blanched green beans in a 9x13 baking dish.
    • Pour the sauce over and toss to coat the beans well.
    • Add the bacon over the top. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Blanching the green beans preserves their color and texture. It also prevents loss of the vegetable nutrients.
    • Blanching isn’t required, it just gives you a better result. I highly recommend it.
    • You can sub out pre-cooked store-bought bacon-- watch the ingredients though. Some of them have a strong maple flavor, which will affect the flavor of this recipe.
    • Save time by cooking and prepping the bacon, beans, and sauce ahead of time. Store separately. Let beans sit on the counter for 30 minutes to bring to room temperature. If you start with cold beans, you may need to increase cooking time.
    • Don’t overcook the bacon. It will crisp up and cook more when you’re cooking the entire dish in the oven. If you start with crispy bacon, it may burn.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1027IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!I love to see what's on YOUR table! Mention @artfrommytable or tag #artfrommytable on your favorite social.

    HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter to have recipes delivered to your inbox and to stay up to date on the latest!

    Pin
    Share

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Grilled Corn on the Cob
    • 15 Easy Side Dishes to Serve With Mongolian Beef
    • Instant Pot Quinoa
    • Air Fryer Green Beans
    about chellie

    ABOUT CHELLIE

    Chellie is the creator of Art From My Table, where her passion for delicious food and gathering with loved ones comes together. She believes anyone can cook a great meal, it doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. Her recipes and food photography have been featured in many publications including Buzzfeed, Southern Living, Today Food, and Fitness magazine. Read more...

    Join the Cooking Club

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Chellie Schmitz

      December 28, 2022 at 12:36 pm

      A covered dish party? That sounds interesting-- is it just like a potluck or is like a surprise dish? I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. My apologies for not responding sooner, I just saw this, seems like I haven't been getting my notifications. Thanks for the comment and the 5 star rating, I truly appreciate it!!

    2. E Keith Tipton

      December 03, 2022 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      Went to a covered dish Christmas party last night and had Arkansas Green Beans for the first time. Today I made your recipe. I did everything except I substituted cured side meat instead of bacon which made it a little bit too salty. This is a lot better than my older more traditional method. Thanks for the new way. My family loved it.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Chellie! Welcome to my table. I believe there is something sacred about sharing a meal together. I'd love to share my tips and easy-to-follow real food recipes with you and help you gather the ones you love around YOUR table.

    More about me

    Healthy Habits

    • Chicken Bone Broth
    • Kombucha Recipe
    • Easy Roasted Vegetables
    • Green Monster Smoothie

    Quick & Easy

    • Kielbasa Skillet with Apples and Onions
    • Turkey Skillet Dinner with Sweet potatoes and Kale
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
    • Low Carb Sausage and Kale Soup

    Free E-book!

    Click on the image for your free book.

    10 super smoothies to supercharge your day

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    Contact
    Work With Me

    Copyright © 2022 Art From My Table, LLC