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🥔🥓 Country Ranch Green Beans 🍽️🌱
A hearty, flavorful dish with crispy bacon, tender green beans, and creamy ranch seasoning—this is the ultimate side dish to elevate any meal! The perfect balance of savory, herb-infused goodness with a touch of crispy bacon.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4-6):
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces 🌱
4 cups baby potatoes (or 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced) 🥔
6 slices bacon, chopped 🥓
1 onion, diced 🧅
2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix 🌿
1 cup chicken broth 🍗
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 🌿
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary 🌿
Salt and pepper, to taste 🧂
📝 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
Trim the Green Beans: Trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the Potatoes: If using large potatoes, peel and dice them into small, bite-sized pieces. If using baby potatoes, halve or quarter them to ensure they cook evenly.
2. Cook the Bacon:
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pan.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
Cook the Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the diced onion to the bacon fat and sauté for about 4 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Combine the Potatoes and Green Beans:
Add the Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat them in the bacon fat and aromatics.
Add the Green Beans: Stir in the green beans, making sure they’re evenly mixed with the potatoes and aromatics.
5. Add the Seasoning and Broth:
Season: Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix over the potatoes and green beans, followed by the dried thyme and dried rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Pour in the Broth: Add the chicken broth to the skillet, making sure the vegetables are mostly submerged. Bring it to a simmer.
6. Cook the Vegetables:
Simmer: Cover the skillet and let the mixture simmer over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes and green beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
7. Finish the Dish:
Add the Bacon: Once the potatoes and green beans are tender, return the crispy bacon to the skillet and stir everything together. Let it cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed.
8. Serve:
Serve: Transfer the Country Ranch Green Beans to a serving dish and garnish with a little extra fresh thyme or parsley for a burst of color.
🍴 Serving Suggestions:
Main Dishes: These green beans make a great side dish for grilled chicken, roast beef, or pork chops.
Perfect for Holidays: This dish is ideal for family gatherings and holiday meals, offering a hearty, comforting flavor that pairs well with just about any main course.
Make it a Meal: Serve it as a standalone dish with a side of cornbread or biscuits for a true Southern-inspired feast.
🌟 Why You’ll Love Country Ranch Green Beans:
Flavorful and Savory: The creamy ranch seasoning combined with the crispy bacon creates a rich, savory flavor profile that will keep you coming back for more.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and easy steps, this dish comes together effortlessly and is perfect for busy weeknights or a special weekend meal.
Versatile: You can tweak this recipe by adding other veggies like carrots or bell peppers, or even tossing in some cheese for a cheesy twist.
🧑🍳 Tips for Success:
Even Cooking for Potatoes: Cut the potatoes into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Baby potatoes cook faster, but if you’re using larger ones, be sure to dice them small enough to cook through in the same time.
Adjust the Broth: If you want a creamier dish, feel free to add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream at the end.
Crispier Bacon: For extra crispy bacon, you can bake it in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes instead of frying it in the skillet.
🍽️ Final Thoughts:
These Country Ranch Green Beans are the ultimate comfort side dish that combines savory flavors with creamy ranch goodness and crispy bacon. Whether you’re serving them alongside a weeknight dinner or bringing them to a holiday spread, they’re sure to impress!
Enjoy this easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish that brings out the best in green beans and potatoes with a ranch-infused twist. 😋