Bacon and Candied Walnut Green Beans

Name: Bacon and Candied Walnut Green Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1/2 lb bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 2 cups raw walnuts; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt (for candying walnuts); 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed; 1/2 cup water; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Recipe GLPR4577a06979b663

Side Dish

30 min

575 cal

Servings: 6

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

Tender green beans coated in bacon grease and topped with crispy bacon pieces and sweet candied walnuts. This elegant side dish combines salty, smoky, and sweet flavors in one sophisticated bite.

Save recipes you love

Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.

Create free account Sign in

Ingredients

1/2 lb bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 cups raw walnuts

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt (for candying walnuts)

2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed

1/2 cup water

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the walnuts, brown sugar, and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon for approximately 10 minutes, until the sugar melts and evenly coats all the walnut pieces. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Transfer the candied walnuts to a plate lined with parchment paper and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, they will crisp up.
In the same skillet, cook the bacon pieces over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until they reach a crispy texture, about 5-7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Reserve the bacon grease in the skillet.
Add the trimmed green beans and water to the bacon grease in the skillet. Stir well to coat the beans evenly. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the beans are tender but still have a slight firmness when pierced with a fork.
Drain any remaining liquid from the skillet using a colander or by tilting the lid slightly.
Transfer the cooked green beans to a serving dish. Top with the crispy bacon pieces and candied walnuts. Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

All ingredients are standard stock at any Charlotte chain—bacon, walnuts, and green beans are reliably available year-round at Harris Teeter, Kroger, Food Lion, and Walmart, making this genuinely convenient for a weeknight. The stated 30 minutes is honest: blanching green beans takes about 8 minutes, candying walnuts in a skillet 5–7 minutes, and crisping bacon another 10, which fits comfortably. Cost per serving runs roughly $1.50–$1.80 depending on bacon quality, driven entirely by the bacon; walnuts and brown sugar are negligible, and NC green beans in season (June through October) keep it cheap. The dish reheats reasonably well in a 350-degree oven, though walnuts lose some crispness, and it suits a family table without fussiness—just bacon sizzle and a single vegetable pan, no constant attention required.