Looking for a comforting and flavorful side dish to accompany your next meal? This Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon recipe is exactly what you need! Packed with crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and vibrant green beans, all smothered in a rich ranch butter sauce, it’s an easy and delicious option for any family dinner or potluck.
This recipe combines simplicity and flavor in the best way possible. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or preparing something special for the holidays, this dish always impresses. And the best part? It’s quick to make, so you can spend more time enjoying your meal and less time in the kitchen.
Why This Dish is a Family Favorite
There’s something about the combination of green beans, potatoes, and bacon that everyone loves. The ranch seasoning adds a tangy and savory touch, while the bacon brings in that irresistible smoky flavor. Not to mention the potatoes, which soak up all that goodness and become tender and creamy. If you’re looking to get your kids to eat their vegetables, this recipe will work like magic!
Ingredients:
Fresh Green Beans: Choose tender green beans for the best flavor and texture. If fresh beans aren’t available, you can use frozen green beans, but fresh will always provide a more vibrant flavor.
Baby Potatoes: The key to this recipe is the baby Yukon Gold potatoes. They’re creamy inside and crispy on the outside once roasted.
Bacon: The bacon is the star here, offering a crispy, smoky flavor that elevates the whole dish. Choose a high-quality, thick-cut bacon for the best results.
Ranch Seasoning: If you don’t have ranch seasoning, feel free to use a homemade ranch spice blend with herbs like dill, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Butter and Garlic: The combination of butter and minced garlic makes a mouth-watering sauce that coats the vegetables beautifully.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Roasted Potatoes
The secret to making perfect roasted potatoes is to start them in cold, salted water. Bring them to a gentle boil, cooking until they are tender but not falling apart. This ensures that the potatoes absorb all the flavors from the bacon and ranch seasoning while retaining a satisfying texture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Potatoes:
Boil the Potatoes: Start by cutting the baby potatoes into halves or quarters. Place them in a pot of cold, salted water.
Simmer Gently: Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with a fork, about 10-12 minutes.
Drain and Set Aside: Drain the potatoes and set them aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Perfect Green Beans: How to Get the Right Texture
Green beans are a versatile vegetable, but getting them just right can be a bit tricky. For this recipe, we want them crispy-tender, meaning they should have a little snap but not be undercooked. Blanching them before cooking helps achieve that texture.
Green Bean Cooking Tips:
Blanching: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 5-7 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
Ice Bath: Immediately transfer the beans to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their color and texture. This also ensures the green beans stay crisp when they roast with the potatoes.
The Magic of Bacon and Ranch Butter Sauce
Now, let’s talk about the bacon. This is where the true magic happens. Bacon adds not only flavor but a crispy texture that enhances every bite. The bacon fat that remains in the skillet after cooking is liquid gold—it’s packed with flavor and should never go to waste.
How to Perfectly Cook Bacon for This Recipe:
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook your bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. This should take about 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon.
Reserve Bacon Fat: Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan and crumble it into small pieces. But don’t toss the rendered fat! Keep about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan. This fat will be the base for the ranch butter sauce, and it brings so much flavor to the green beans and potatoes.
Crisp up the Bacon: Add your crumbled bacon back into the dish at the end to ensure every bite gets that delicious crunch.
How to Make the Ranch Butter Sauce:
The ranch butter sauce is simple but absolutely delicious. This combination of melted butter, ranch seasoning, and garlic creates a luscious sauce that coats all the vegetables. The rich flavor of the butter combined with the savory seasoning makes it irresistible.
Step-by-Step Ranch Butter Sauce:
Melt Butter: In the same skillet, melt 3 teaspoons of butter over medium heat. The bacon fat adds richness, but the butter will smooth out the sauce and make it creamy.
Add Garlic and Ranch Seasoning: Add minced garlic and ranch seasoning to the pan, stirring for about 1-2 minutes to let the flavors infuse the butter.
Mix Together: Once everything is nicely blended, remove the pan from the heat. Now, you’re ready to combine the veggies and bacon into this sauce!
Bringing It All Together: The Final Steps
Now that your potatoes, green beans, and bacon are ready, it’s time to combine everything and let those flavors marry together. This is the fun part where everything comes together to create a beautiful, hearty side dish.
Combine and Toss:
Add Potatoes and Green Beans to Skillet: In the same skillet where you made the ranch butter sauce, add the boiled potatoes and blanched green beans. Toss everything together, making sure the vegetables are fully coated in the buttery ranch sauce.
Add Bacon: Sprinkle in the crumbled bacon and toss again. The bacon will distribute its flavor throughout the dish, ensuring every bite is savory and satisfying.
Garnish and Serve:
To finish it off, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color and freshness. The herbs not only look beautiful but add a nice contrast to the rich flavors of the bacon and ranch.
Customizing Your Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon
While this recipe is already packed with flavor, there’s always room for customization based on what you like or have on hand. Here are a few ways to make it your own:
Add Mushrooms: Slice some mushrooms and add them to the pan when cooking the bacon. Mushrooms add an earthy flavor that complements the vegetables perfectly.
Add Heat: If you enjoy a little spice, sprinkle red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper into the ranch butter sauce for a kick.
Lighter Version: For a lighter version of this dish, try using turkey bacon or reduce the amount of butter. You’ll still get that savory flavor but with fewer calories.
More Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or zucchini. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times to ensure everything is cooked to perfection.
Why This Dish Is Perfect for Any Occasion
This Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon dish is perfect for any meal, whether it’s a simple weeknight dinner or a holiday celebration. It’s one of those dishes that looks impressive but is incredibly easy to make. Plus, it’s versatile and can be paired with a variety of main courses, from grilled steak to roasted chicken.
Serving Suggestions:
Grilled Steak: The richness of the bacon and ranch sauce pairs perfectly with the juicy tenderness of steak.
Roasted Chicken: Serve this side with your favorite roasted chicken recipe for a well-rounded meal.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp: If you’re in the mood for seafood, this dish complements the flavors of lemon garlic shrimp beautifully.
Whether you’re preparing for a family dinner, a potluck, or a holiday meal, this side dish is bound to become a crowd favorite. With its rich flavors, simple preparation, and versatility, it’s sure to impress everyone at the table.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, you’re in for a treat. The flavors of this dish improve overnight as the potatoes and green beans continue to soak up that delicious ranch butter sauce. It’s a dish that tastes just as good the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or saving some for later.
How to Store Leftovers:
Cool: Allow the dish to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.
Refrigerate: Place the container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Just be sure to store it in a freezer-safe container. When reheating, it may need a splash of water or additional butter to restore its texture.
Reheating:
In the Oven: To maintain the crispy edges, reheat the leftovers in the oven at 325°F (165°C) for 15-20 minutes. Add a little more butter or ranch dressing if needed.
In the Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, and reheat the dish, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a small amount of butter or water to prevent the vegetables from drying out.
Microwave: For a quick option, microwave individual portions on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
FAQs On Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon
What is the best flavor to add to green beans?
Green beans are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of flavors. For a simple and delicious option, garlic, onion powder, lemon zest, or balsamic vinegar can enhance the natural flavor of green beans. Adding crispy bacon and a drizzle of butter with ranch seasoning creates a rich and savory profile that’s hard to beat!
What seasoning is good for ham green beans and potatoes?
When making a dish with ham, green beans, and potatoes, some great seasoning options include garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. Thyme and rosemary also work wonderfully with the ham and potatoes, while a bay leaf can add an earthy aroma to the mix. You can also season with a ranch seasoning mix for an extra burst of flavor.
Can you eat raw green beans with ranch?
While it’s safe to eat raw green beans with ranch dressing, they can be tough and may have a somewhat bitter flavor. If you enjoy them raw, make sure to break them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. If you prefer a milder taste and more tenderness, lightly blanching them or roasting them is a great way to enhance the flavor before dipping them in ranch.
How to cook green beans with bacon?
To cook green beans with bacon, start by frying the bacon until crispy. Remove it and set aside, then reserve a little bacon fat in the skillet. Add your green beans to the skillet, sautéing them in the rendered fat for about 5-7 minutes. You can then crumble the bacon and toss it with the beans for a smoky, savory flavor. You can also season with garlic, onion powder, and a splash of vinegar for extra depth.
What thickens ham and beans?
To thicken ham and beans, try adding a thickening agent like flour or cornstarch. Mashed beans can also work, as they will release starches and naturally thicken the broth. For a richer texture, you can add a bit of heavy cream or cream cheese to the pot. Additionally, allowing the stew to simmer longer will help reduce the liquid and thicken it naturally.
Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered
6 slices thick-cut bacon
1 packet ranch seasoning blend
3 teaspoons melted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Boil the Potatoes: Place the halved or quartered baby potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10-12 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and set aside.
Blanch the Green Beans: In another pot, bring water to a boil. Add the fresh green beans and cook for 5-7 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet, crumble the bacon, and reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
Make the Ranch Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and ranch seasoning, and stir for about 1-2 minutes to combine.
Combine Everything: Add the cooked potatoes and green beans to the skillet, tossing them in the ranch butter sauce. Sprinkle in the crumbled bacon and toss everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For a lighter version, you can substitute turkey bacon and use less butter.
You can also add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Make sure not to overcook the green beans to keep them crisp and vibrant.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutritional Facts (per serving)
Calories: 240
Carbohydrates: 23g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 550mg
Potassium: 650mg
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 4g
Vitamin A: 15% DV
Vitamin C: 25% DV
Calcium: 2% DV
Iron: 6% DV
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 240 per serving
