Say goodbye to boring, mushy green beans and hello to your new favorite side dish! These Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon are the perfect blend of tender-crisp beans, smoky bacon, and savory onions, all cooked to perfection in a fraction of the time. Whether it’s for a weeknight dinner or a holiday feast, this recipe delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort. The Instant Pot locks in all the deliciousness, infusing the beans with the rich, rendered bacon fat for a side that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
• 5 slices bacon, diced – about 5 oz / 140g
• 1 cup diced onion – about 1 medium onion / 150g
• 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half – about 6 cups / 680g
• 1 tsp salt – or to taste / 6g
• 1 tsp ground black pepper – or to taste / 2g
• ¼ cup water or chicken broth – 60ml
Instructions
1. Select the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot. Add the diced bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until the fat begins to render and the bacon starts to crisp.
2. Stir in the diced onion and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes, until the onion softens and becomes fragrant.
3. Press “Cancel” to turn off the Sauté function. Add the green beans, salt, pepper, and water. Stir everything together, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze any browned bits.
4. Secure and lock the lid, ensuring the steam release valve is set to “Sealing.” Select “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) and set the timer for 4 minutes at high pressure.
5. Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the steam release valve to “Venting.”
6. Once the pin drops, carefully open the lid. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition Information
• Serving Size: 1 (of 6)
• Calories: 122
• Total Fat: 7g
• Net Carbs: 7g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 3g
Pro Tips
• for Perfect Green Beans
• For tender-crisp green beans, reduce the pressure cooking time to 1-2 minutes. For softer beans, stick with the 4-minute cook time.
• After sautéing, be sure to scrape all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot when you add the water. This prevents the ‘Burn’ notice and adds incredible flavor.
• Swap the water for chicken or vegetable broth to add an extra layer of savory depth to the dish.
• For a touch of brightness, squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the finished green beans just before serving.
FAQ
Q: How long do you cook green beans in the Instant Pot for this recipe
A: For tender-crisp green beans, pressure cook for 1-2 minutes. For softer green beans, cook for the recommended 4 minutes at high pressure.
Q: How do I prevent the Instant Pot burn notice
A: To prevent the ‘Burn’ notice, it’s crucial to deglaze the pot. After sautéing the bacon and onions, add the water or broth and scrape all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot before pressure cooking.
Q: Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh
A: This recipe is specifically designed for fresh green beans to achieve the best tender-crisp texture. Using frozen green beans is not recommended as they will release more water and may become mushy.
Q: What can I use instead of water for more flavor
A: For an extra layer of savory depth, you can easily swap the water for an equal amount of chicken broth or vegetable broth.
