Homestyle Green Beans Recipe

Trim and slice

Rinse the green beans and trim the stem ends. Cut beans in half crosswise if desired for bite-size pieces. Peel and slice the carrot on the bias into thin rounds. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Mince the garlic and set all vegetables aside.

Cook bacon (if using)

In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the diced bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and the fat is rendered, about 6–8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

If not using bacon, heat the butter and olive oil together in the skillet over medium heat until butter foams. Add the sliced onion and carrot and sauté, stirring, until the onion is soft and translucent and the carrot begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.

Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet and toss with the onion, carrot and aromatic fat. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, just to start brightening and blistering the beans.

Pour in the chicken (or vegetable) broth, apple cider vinegar and sugar. Increase heat to medium-high and bring liquid to a gentle boil. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the green beans are tender to your liking, about 8–12 minutes (check at 8 minutes for crisper-tender).

Remove the lid and continue cooking 1–2 minutes to evaporate excess liquid if necessary and to concentrate flavor. Taste and add up to 1 1/2 teaspoons additional kosher salt and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper as needed.

If you cooked bacon, stir the reserved crisp bacon pieces back into the green beans. Stir in 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (if using) to brighten the dish. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter (optional) for a silkier finish and stir until melted.

Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper to taste.