Southern-Style Instant Pot Green Beans

Green beans with bacon and potatoes in glass bowl on top of black and white striped linen.

Southern-Style Instant Pot Green Beans

These green beans are incredibly simple to make, but will remind you of eating at Grandma's house for Sunday dinner.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Southern

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 161kcal

Author Gary White

Ingredients

8 oz. bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup yellow onions diced
2 Tbsp. garlic paste or minced garlic
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
100 oz. canned green beans with liquid
2 tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. black pepper
1.5 lbs. red potatoes roughly chopped

Instructions

Using the sauté setting on your Instant Pot, cook the bacon until it's almost crispy, taking care not to rush this step. It may take up to 10 minutes to render out all the fat.
Add the diced onions to the pot and cook for about 3 minutes until soft and translucent. Then, stir in the garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Pour in the apple cider vinegar, scraping up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pot to infuse the dish with extra flavor.
Add the canned green beans (including the liquid) and the chopped potatoes to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine everything.
Lock the lid and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release to release the pressure.

Video

Notes

EXPERT TIPS

Don't rush the rendering process by cooking the bacon on the stove at a higher heat. The steady temperature of the sauté function is perfect for this step. Cooking the bacon at a higher heat could burn it before all of the fat is rendered out, which means ruined bacon and less bacon fat to use for flavor. Still not sure about the rendering process? This article from Bon Appétit has more information.
Don't drain the bacon grease! This recipe is intentionally written so that the bacon fat will be rendered and included in the recipe. It adds an incredible richness.
If you're making a smaller portion, remember that the cooking time remains the same.
For an extra kick of flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop for a quick and delicious meal.

FAQs

Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned ones? While this recipe is specifically designed for canned green beans, you can experiment with fresh ones. Just be mindful of adjusting the cooking time to prevent them from becoming mushy.

Can I omit the bacon for a vegetarian version? You can skip the bacon and sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil or butter to keep the dish vegetarian-friendly.

Nutrition