These bacon ranch green beans are cooked in a ranch butter sauce and topped with crispy onions and bacon. SO much better than green bean casserole!
This recipe is a twist on the old classic cream of mushroom green bean casserole. But this version is loaded with bacon and ranch flavors! It’s a total hit for any holiday meal! It makes for a perfect side dish for any holiday along with homemade cranberry sauce and glazed carrots.
I didn’t eat much green bean casserole growing up. While I’m not opposed to it in theory, I’m also not into the whole condensed cream of mushroom soup thing. In my opinion these bacon ranch green beans are way better than the traditional casserole. This recipe has a lot of similar flavors, but presented in a way where the fresh green beans really shine. But don’t worry, I did keep the classic french fried onions!
If you are looking for other green bean recipes, check out my bacon green bean bundles and my classic roasted green beans. You can even have a crisp and refreshing green bean salad! There are so many ways to enjoy green beans!
How do you make bacon ranch green beans?
This recipe starts with green beans, mushrooms and red onions. After the vegetables are cooked they’re tossed in a butter sauce that’s flavored with ranch powder. I prefer my homemade ranch powder but store bought works just fine. That being said, the sodium content of ranch powder can vary widely so I left a range on how much to add in the recipe. It’s best to start with the smaller amount and add more to taste so that you don’t end up with salty green beans.
It’s not a holiday without french fried onions. I added them on top along with a generous amount of crispy bacon and some parsley. These are no boring vegetables, they look fancy but are still quite easy to prepare!
To get a jump on my holiday cooking to-do list I cook up the onions, mushrooms and green beans a day in advance. Right before it’s time to eat I heat up the vegetables in a pan along with the ranch butter and then add the toppings. I’m all for streamlining as much as possible. That way I can spend more time on the big day relaxing with the family instead of working in the kitchen! These bacon ranch green beans are a welcome addition to any holiday table. I like them so well that I make them year round!
Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!
More great side dishes
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Zucchini Gratin
- Honey Roasted Carrots
- Stove Top Mac and Cheese
- Candied Carrots
Bacon Ranch Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
- 1 small red onion minced
- 8 ounces of white mushrooms cleaned and sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 teaspoons ranch powder or more to taste
- 1/3 cup crumbled bacon
- 1/3 cup french fried onions
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pan over medium heat melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 more minutes or until mushrooms have started to brown. Season vegetables with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the mushrooms and onion from pan and set aside.
- Place the green beans in the pan with 1/4 cup water. Turn up the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring ocasionally, until green beans are crisp tender and water has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Season green beans with salt and pepper to taste.
- Put the onions and mushrooms back in the pan. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and 2 teaspoons of ranch powder. Taste and add more ranch powder until you get to desired flavor level.
- Stir to coat all the vegetables evenly with the butter and ranch powder. Cook for 2 minutes more.
- Pour the vegetables onto a serving platter and top with the french fried onions, bacon and parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Make ahead: Cook the onions, mushrooms and green beans up to a day in advance. About 10 minutes before you plan to eat warm the vegetables through and proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Hi! If I make this in the morning- can I put it all in the oven to warm it back up before serving? If so- what temp and how long?
You can do that, but I’d wait to add the bacon and onions until right before serving, as they won’t reheat well if they’re refrigerated with the green beans. You could bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
Can you use canned green beans instead?
I think it could work but since canned beans are already cooked they might end up overly soft.
I want to try this for Christmas dinner. You mentioned the make ahead recipe. To cook the onions, mushrooms, and green beans up to a day in advance. Then do I heat the veggies up and then add 2 Tsp. butter and the ranch powder. Then stir to coat. This sounds wonderful and I know my family is going to love it. I know you are busy but I would appreciate it if you would answer my question.
This looked like a perfect recipe to up the bacon flavor by using bacon drippings instead of butter. Just in case anyone is reluctant to do this, bacon grease has 42% less saturated fat than butter–same calorie hit, however. This green bean dish is beyond delicious, whatever fat you use!
All I can say is this was so good it disappeared in 5 minutes! I’ll double the recipe!
Can this be baked instead if done on the stove?
I think you could do it, but I’d recommend cooking the onion before you add it to the pan!
What do you mean by ranch powder? Is it the ranch powder packets that you make ranch dressing with?
Yes, the packets!
This looks SO good!! ????
THIS looks SO good! Can’t wait to try it!! Thanks!!
I’m adding this dish to my Christmas menu!
Question: Do you drain the water that you cook the green beans in .?
Hi Elise, great question! The water should evaporate in the pan, it’s just a little bit to help the green beans steam through. I am updating the recipe right now to make it more clear! 🙂
Green beans were delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Nice twist on the classic green bean casserole!
My mom adds a ranch seasoning packet to her scalloped potatoes, but I’ve never thought to add that to green bean casserole! So creative, I love it! I hear you on the cream of mushroom soup, I actually started making green bean casserole from scratch a few years ago, and it’s always a hit. I would love to try your version though – I’m a huge fan of anything ranch flavored 🙂
This looks waay better than the typical casserole I see on my Thanksgiving table. So fresh!
I love easy meals! This looks so good!
That is a beautiful green bean casserole. My husband would go crazy for this.
Soooooo doing this for my sister! I feel it would be a nice treat at Christmas and it would not be sabotaging her diet too bad 🙂 Looks so good!