Green Beans Get A Major Flavor Boost With One Flavorful Soup Mix And Bacon Bits

If you find yourself dealing with some children — or adults — who aren't keen on eating their green beans, don't give up on this underappreciated legume just yet. Green beans can be given a major flavor boost, thanks to two staples you probably already have in your kitchen: French onion soup mix and bacon bits.

You shouldn't mistake this for one of those recipes that simply throws bacon at a vegetable until it becomes palatable to hardcore carnivores. Rather, the savory nature of the green beans and bacon complements each other. Both the beans and the bacon will tenderize as they cook, but there will nevertheless be an enjoyable textural contrast. There are many delicious ways French onion soup mix can be incorporated into dishes, and in our opinion, it is one of the unsung heroes of the kitchen. Though ingredients will vary by brand, you can expect French onion soup mix to contain seasonings that will add a welcome depth of flavor to your green beans.

The preparation of this dish isn't any more complicated than putting these three ingredients in either a pot on the stove or in a slow cooker, along with some water. The slow cooker will be, well, slower, but the green beans that come out at the end will be no less tempting.

One advantage of this dish is that it can be made with either fresh or canned green beans, though the fresh kind can take longer to cook. Similarly, you can fry bacon and chop it roughly before adding it to the green beans, or use pre-prepared bacon bits. Though you'll find numerous store-bought varieties, some of these can contain imitation bacon that has a different taste and texture than the real thing. It's therefore worth learning how to make your own bacon bits.

Although this is a simple dish, there are ways to upgrade it further. If using the slow cooker method, you could boost the flavor with both bell peppers and garlic salt (though remember that some French onion soup mixes will already contain garlic). If you prefer to take the green beans in a more sweet and sour direction, try adding some soy sauce, butter, and brown sugar. For toppings, you could take inspiration from a classic green bean casserole, and really up the onion flavor with a garnish of crispy fried onions.

Even at its simplest, this side dish is tremendously versatile, pairing well with hearty, home-cooked dinners. The melted cheese and crunchy fried breading of a chicken cordon bleu would pair nicely, or if you prefer something less laborious, sloppy Joes. Whatever you choose, it's a good reason to keep some bacon in the refrigerator and your pantry stocked with canned veggies and dry soup mix.