Creole Style Green Beans

Creole Style green beans are the easiest thing on my holiday table, and maybe the most useful. A side of green beans goes with nearly everything, costs almost nothing, and can be made a day or two before a big meal and reheated when the table is set. On a day, like Thanksgiving, when the oven is spoken for and every burner is being used, a side dish that only needs about twenty minutes on low is needed.

The secret is the can. These start with canned French-cut green beans sautéed in butter with bacon, onion, bell pepper, and garlic, then seasoned with Creole seasoning, cayenne, and black pepper. Even people who claim not to like green beans tend to go back for these, because what they’re really tasting is the bacon, the trinity, and the seasoning working together.

I cook them throughout the year but they’re built for the holiday table. At Thanksgiving they go right alongside my Creole Roasted Turkey and Holy Trinity Stuffing, and the full spread they belong to is in my Thanksgiving Meal Ideas roundup. On an ordinary weeknight, pair them with Creole Macaroni and Cheese and the Mardi Gras Chicken Strips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the Creole Style Green Beans ahead?

Yes. They are perfect for that. You can make them a day or two ahead of the event, refrigerated, then when you’re ready for them, reheat gently.

Fresh or frozen beans instead of canned?

The recipe was tested with canned French-cut beans, and that’s the version I use. If you experiment, expect a firmer bean and a longer simmer.

More bacon?

The original cook’s note still holds: fry extra bacon, chop it, and scatter it over the top when you plate them.

If you’ve had a chance to try this Creole Style Green Beans recipe, please let me know in the comments and rate it below. And take a picture of it! Please share it on social media and tag me! I’d love to see it!

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Creole Green Beans

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Course: Side Dish

Servings: 8 people

Author: Red Beans and Eric

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Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 14- oz cans French cut green beans drained
• ½ cup onions diced
• ½ cup green bell pepper diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 6 pieces of bacon chopped*
• 1 tsp Creole seasoning
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions

• In a large pan,over MEDIUM heat, melt the butter. Stir in the green beans, onions, green bell peppers, garlic, and bacon. Cook until the onions and green bell pepper are softened, about 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in the Creole Seasoning, cayenne pepper, and black pepper; reduce heat to LOW and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Season with salt to your liking; serve and enjoy!

Notes

* You can make extra pieces of bacon, chop, and set aside to garnish the Creole Green Beans once the beans are plated.

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Red Beans and Eric

Eric Olsson is the food blogger of RedBeansAndEric.com. He publishes new recipes and interviews weekly. He has developed recipes and written articles for the famous Camellia brand in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been mentioned in Louisiana Cookin‘ magazine and has had recipes featured in Taste of Home magazine – with his Creole Turkey recipe being runner up in their annual Thanksgiving recipe contest. He lives outside of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife and four children.