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Make double the amount of these copycat Cracker Barrel green beans because they’ll beg for seconds.

Perfection Improved

The green beans at the famous Cracker Barrel restaurant is one of their most popular side dishes. They are certainly delicious and most consider them to be the perfect side dish.

My neighbor and I recently went for lunch there and you guessed it, both of us ordered the green beans. Then I got to thinking how I could make this at home and maybe improve upon it just a bit.

The hack is very simple–use fresh!

Green Beans: Fresh Or Frozen Is The Next Level

Cracker Barrel uses canned cut green beans in their side dish. This is really practical since they are made in bulk and kept warm for serving on a steam table.

However, at home, we don’t have to keep dishes hot for long periods of time since we cook then eat immediately–or shortly after.

Using fresh or flash-frozen green beans really–I mean really–improves the flavor of these beans exponentially. I also decided to cook them to a crisp-tender stage where they maintained their bright green color. This is also very pleasing to the eye. But if you like your veggies cooked a bit more, then by all means cook them to the stage your family prefers.

Bacon Lovers Rejoice

Since I love bacon (and who doesn’t) I added a bit more than they do in the restaurant. I think Cracker Barrel uses a very smoky variety of bacon, which accounts for a great amount of flavor and it may be specially processed for them. If you can find a deep-smoked variety in your store, that’s the one I’d advise using. However, you can use a “standard” variety. I did because it’s what I had on hand. You can get more smoke flavor by adding a bit of liquid smoke if you like.

The Recipe

Who doesn't love the green beans at Cracker Barrel? This recipe uses fresh or frozen and they taste even better.

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Copycat Cracker Barrel Green Beans

This copycat version of Cracker Barrel green beans tastes so much like the original, you may never need to order the side dish from the restaurant again.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: copycat recipe, Cracker Barrel recipes, green beans

Servings: 4 -6

Calories: 190kcal

Author: Judith Hannemann

Ingredients

1 lb fresh green beans trimmed (see NOTES)
1/2 cup diced bacon
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic minced
3 tbs unsalted butter
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp liquid smoke optional

Instructions

In a large skillet, cook diced bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and place on paper towels. Drain all but 1 tbs of the fat.
In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the green beans, salt, pepper and stock to the pan. If using the liquid smoke, add it at this point. Stir to combine.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 min.

Notes

I left my beans whole, but you can cut them into 1-2-inch pieces or buy frozen cut green beans.

Nutrition

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