This copycat recipe captures the delicious balance of smoky bacon, savory green beans, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, creating a side dish that’s sure to please. The apple cider vinegar adds a touch of tanginess that complements the flavors, while crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle heat for those who like a little spice. Perfect for pairing with any hearty main dish, these green beans bring a taste of the Texas Roadhouse right to your table.
Why You’ll Love These Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans:
Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home: This recipe perfectly replicates the beloved Texas Roadhouse green beans, so you can enjoy them without leaving your kitchen.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With only a handful of pantry staples, you’ll be surprised by the depth of flavor in this dish. The mix of bacon drippings, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar brings a mouth-watering combination that’s hard to resist.
Versatile and Easy to Make: Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner or a holiday spread, these green beans complement just about any main course.
Perfect for Bacon Lovers: If you love bacon (who doesn’t?), this recipe has you covered. The crispy bacon pieces on top add texture, richness, and a smoky flavor that takes green beans to the next level.
Key Ingredients:
Green Beans: Fresh green beans work best for this recipe, as they hold up well during cooking and maintain a nice, tender-crisp texture. Trim off the ends, and rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt.
Bacon: Use good-quality bacon for the best flavor. The bacon drippings are essential to infuse the dish with a smoky richness. If you prefer a slightly healthier version, you can reduce the bacon by half or use turkey bacon.
Onion and Garlic: These aromatics are essential for building the base flavors of the dish. For a slightly milder flavor, you can swap in shallots instead of onion.
Chicken Broth: Adding chicken broth enhances the savory depth of the dish. If you’re vegetarian, feel free to use vegetable broth instead, but note that it will slightly alter the flavor.
Brown Sugar: A bit of brown sugar adds a lovely caramelized sweetness. If you prefer a slightly less sweet dish, use half a tablespoon instead.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient adds a bright acidity that balances the richness of the bacon and sweetness of the brown sugar, giving the dish a touch of tang.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: While optional, a small dash of crushed red pepper flakes adds a hint of heat that complements the sweetness and smokiness.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Instructions:
Prepare the Ingredients
Gather ingredients. Trim green beans, rinse under cold water, chop bacon, dice onion, and mince garlic.
Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Sauté Aromatics
In the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté diced onion and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Cook the Green Beans
Add green beans, tossing to coat in the drippings, onion, and garlic.
Pour in chicken broth, covering the beans. Stir in brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes (optional).
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Simmer
Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes until tender but crisp.
Serve
Remove the lid, let excess liquid evaporate, and garnish with crispy bacon. Serve hot.
Serving Suggestions:
These green beans make a delicious and versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Here are a few ideas:
Serve with Steak: Naturally, these green beans are a perfect match for a juicy steak. Serve them alongside a grilled ribeye or filet mignon for a Texas Roadhouse-inspired dinner.
Pair with Roast Chicken: The smoky and sweet flavors of the green beans complement a classic roast chicken beautifully.
Add to a Holiday Spread: These green beans are a fantastic addition to holiday meals. Serve them alongside roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing for a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Top with Fresh Herbs: For a final touch, add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme just before serving. It’ll add a hint of freshness and a pop of color.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerating Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The flavors deepen as they sit, so these green beans taste even better the next day!
Freezing: Green beans generally freeze well, but the texture might be a bit softer upon reheating. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: To reheat, simply warm them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed to prevent sticking. You can also reheat them in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
For an even faster weeknight meal, you can prep some of the ingredients in advance. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and trim the green beans a day ahead and store them in the fridge.
Variations and Additions:
Vegetarian Option: To make this recipe vegetarian, swap out the bacon for smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic that smoky flavor, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Add Mushrooms: For extra flavor and texture, add sliced mushrooms when sautéing the onions and garlic. They add a delicious earthiness that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Sweet and Spicy: Increase the brown sugar to 1 ½ tablespoons and add a pinch more crushed red pepper flakes to create a more pronounced sweet-and-spicy flavor profile.
Maple Bacon Twist: Replace the brown sugar with maple syrup for a hint of maple flavor. This variation works beautifully with the smoky bacon and gives the dish a slight twist.
Extra Garlic: If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to double the garlic. The extra garlic flavor will make the green beans even more aromatic and robust.
Conclusion:
These Texas Roadhouse copycat green beans are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen! They’re the perfect mix of smoky, sweet, and savory, with a tender texture and irresistible flavor that feels like a cozy hug on a plate. Ideal for family gatherings, holiday feasts, or simply as a way to elevate a weeknight dinner, this recipe is one you’ll turn to again and again.
Grab your skillet, cook up a batch, and watch these beans disappear in no time. Whether you’re new to making homemade sides or you’re a seasoned pro, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor that’ll impress everyone around the table!
Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans trimmed
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim green beans, rinse under cold water, chop bacon, dice onion, and mince garlic.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté diced onion and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add green beans, tossing to coat in the drippings, onion, and garlic. Pour in chicken broth, covering the beans. Stir in brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes (optional).
- Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes until tender but crisp.
- Remove the lid, let excess liquid evaporate, and garnish with crispy bacon. Serve hot.