Southern Green Beans In Instant Pot
Description
Enjoy the flavors of the South with these Instant Pot Southern Green Beans. Fresh green beans, savory bacon, and aromatic seasonings come together in a fraction of the time it takes to prepare the traditional slow-cooked version. It's a delicious and comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite Southern meals.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4-6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional, for a bit of heat
- 2 tablespoons butter, optional, for added richness
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Clean and trim the fresh green beans. Chop the bacon into small pieces, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.
- Sauté Bacon and Onion: Turn on the Instant Pot to the "Sauté" function. Add the chopped bacon and diced onion. Sauté until the bacon becomes crispy and the onion turns translucent. Stir occasionally.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze Pot: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Add Green Beans: Add the trimmed green beans to the Instant Pot, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the vent is in the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode on high pressure for 3-4 minutes (3 minutes for crisp-tender beans, 4 minutes for softer beans).
- Quick Release: Once the cooking time is up, perform a quick pressure release by turning the vent to "Venting" position. Be cautious of the hot steam.
- Finish with Butter (Optional): If desired, stir in the butter to add extra richness to the dish.
- Serve: Transfer the Instant Pot Southern Green Beans to a serving dish and enjoy them while they're hot.
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker, Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi
Notes
Notes:
- For a softer texture, you can increase the pressure cooking time to 5-6 minutes.
- To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, omit the bacon and use a plant-based fat source like olive oil or vegan butter. Substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
- Experiment with additional seasonings like smoked paprika or thyme for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 278mgPotassium: 228mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 645IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg