Looking for a quick and flavorful side dish? These Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon & Garlic are a deliciously easy way to elevate your meal. Tender green beans, savory bacon, and aromatic garlic come together in just minutes, making them the perfect addition to any dinner!

These Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon & Garlic come together in no time and are packed with flavor. A quick, easy, and delicious side dish your family will love!

Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen green beans. However, since they’re already pre-cooked, reduce the pressure cooking time to 4-5 minutes. You may also need to reduce the amount of water slightly, as frozen beans release moisture during cooking.

Can I use a different kind of meat instead of bacon?
Yes! You can substitute bacon with smoked sausage, turkey bacon, or ham for a different flavor profile. Just make sure to cook the meat beforehand so it blends well with the green beans during cooking.

Do I need to add liquid when using the Instant Pot?
Yes, you need liquid for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. You can use water or broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable). If you want more flavor, go with broth.

Can I cook green beans with other vegetables in the Instant Pot?
Yes! You can add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or even mushrooms. If you add other vegetables, be mindful of their cooking times. To ensure everything cooks evenly, chop them into similarly sized pieces.

Why do you add salt after cooking the green beans?
Adding salt before cooking can cause it to dissipate during the pressure cooking process. For the best flavor, add garlic salt, black pepper, and kosher salt after the beans are done cooking, so the seasoning sticks and enhances the taste.

Can I make these green beans ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook the green beans ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm them up in the microwave or on the stove. The bacon may lose some crispiness, but the flavor will still be delicious.

How can I make my green beans extra crispy?
To get crispier green beans, you can sauté them after pressure cooking. Once the beans are done, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the cooked beans for 3-4 minutes until they’re crispy and golden.

Can I adjust the amount of garlic or bacon?
Absolutely! You can adjust the garlic and bacon to your taste. If you love garlic, feel free to add an extra clove or two. For bacon, you can increase or decrease the slices depending on how much flavor you want in your dish.

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. (2 lbs) fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6-8 slices bacon, cooked and sliced
• 1 cup water (or chicken, vegetable, or beef broth)
• 1 tbsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Kosher salt for garnish

Directions:

Prepare the Green Beans:
Wash and trim the green beans, removing the ends. Place them in the Instant Pot.

Add the Flavor:
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, cooked bacon, and 1 cup of water (or broth) to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.

Pressure Cook:
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook on high for 7 minutes.

Quick Release:
Once the cooking time is up, carefully use the Quick Release method to release the steam. Once the pin drops, open the lid.

Season:
Add garlic salt, black pepper, and kosher salt to taste. Stir well to combine and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve:
Serve your savory green beans with bacon and garlic as a perfect side dish to complement any meal!

Notes:

• Why add salt after cooking? If you add salt to the Instant Pot before cooking, it can dissipate during the pressure cooking process. Adding it afterward ensures the flavor stays vibrant.
• Broth vs. Water: Feel free to use chicken, vegetable, or beef broth for added richness and depth of flavor.

Here's a few more of our favorite Instant Pot Recipes: 

• Instant Pot Chicken Gravy - throw over mashed potatoes, you have a quick, easy and tasty dinner recipe in under 20 minutes! This is one of my personal fav dinners!
• Instant Pot Chipotle Pulled Pork - if you are entertaining guests, grab a pork butt/shoulder, let this cook in the pressure cooker for 3-4 hours and you have a deliciously spicy pulled pork!
• Instant Pot Keto Chili Recipe - this is my personal chili recipe. While I use to let it simmer on the stove, it's so much better in the Instant Pot as it breaks the meat down and leaves you with a softer meat!
• Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip - this is T's favorite thing to eat. I make it a few times a month! We've recently been putting it in quesadillas. It's pretty damn delicious too!