This hearty and flavorful recipe for Country Ranch Green beans and Potatoes with Bacon is a one-skillet wonder, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. Tender potatoes, crisp green beans, and smoky beef bacon are all tossed in a savory ranch seasoning, creating a simple yet incredibly satisfying side dish. It’s a southern-inspired classic that brings a taste of country comfort right to your kitchen.
My dad, James, made magic in his cast iron skillet. The comforting scent of fried potatoes and bacon filled our home on Sundays. This simple side dish isn’t just food; it’s the taste of those cozy family dinners, a plate full of his love.
What Makes This Dish So Special
- One-Pan Simplicity: This entire side dish comes together in a single skillet, making for minimal cleanup.
- Flavor Packed: The combination of smoky bacon, zesty ranch seasoning, and classic aromatics like garlic and onion powder creates a robust flavor profile.
- Versatile Side: This is one of those side dishes that pairs beautifully with almost any main course, from grilled chicken to a hearty roast beef.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The familiar, comforting flavors of potatoes, green beans, and bacon make this a guaranteed hit for family dinners and potlucks alike.
The Simple Things You’ll Need
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices beef bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
My Trusted Kitchen Helpers
My Go-To Large Skillet
A good, heavy skillet is my trusted companion for this recipe; it ensures the potatoes get wonderfully golden and everything cooks evenly.
A Handy Slotted Spoon
I find a slotted spoon so helpful for lifting the crispy bacon out of the pan while leaving the flavorful drippings behind for the potatoes.
Putting It All Together, Step by Step
Start with Sizzling Bacon
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped beef bacon and cook until it’s perfectly crispy, which usually takes about 5–6 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside, but be sure to leave about 1 tablespoon of those precious drippings in the pan for extra flavor.
Give the Potatoes Their Golden Glow
Add the halved baby potatoes to the same skillet. Let them cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring every so often. You’re looking for them to get beautifully golden and tender. A little patience here is key to getting that perfect texture.
Bring in the Beans and Savory Spices
Now, stir in the fresh green beans, olive oil, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for another 6–8 minutes. The beans should be tender but still have a slight crispness, and the potatoes should be fully cooked through.
The Happy Reunion in the Skillet
Return the crispy bacon to the skillet with the green beans and potatoes. Give everything a good toss to combine and let it cook for another minute or two. This is where all those delicious flavors come together.
A Sprinkle of Green to Finish
For a final touch of freshness, sprinkle with some chopped parsley before serving. This hearty side is wonderful with grilled chicken, roast beef, or can even stand on its own for a cozy dinner.
A Little Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional values provided are an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and preparation methods used.
For a Lighter Touch
- Turkey Bacon: For a leaner option, you can substitute the beef bacon with turkey bacon. It will still provide a lovely smoky flavor with less fat.
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning: Control the sodium and ingredients by making your own ranch seasoning. A simple mix of dried dill, parsley, chives, onion powder, and garlic powder is a great start.
- Air Fryer Method: For a version with less oil, you can cook the potatoes and green beans in an air fryer before tossing them with the cooked bacon and seasonings.
How We Love to Serve This Dish
- With Grilled Meats: This dish is the perfect companion to grilled chicken, steak, or pork chops.
- As a Main Course: For a simple and satisfying meal, I sometimes enjoy a generous bowl of these green beans and potatoes all by itself. A piece of crusty bread on the side is perfect for soaking up any extra flavors.
- Brunch Addition: Top with a fried or poached egg for a delicious and hearty brunch option.
A Few Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Be sure to use a large enough skillet to give the potatoes and green beans plenty of space. Overcrowding can cause them to steam instead of getting nicely browned and crispy.
- Keep the Green Beans Crisp: Keep an eye on the green beans to ensure they remain tender-crisp. They should have a vibrant green color and a slight bite.
- Save the Bacon Drippings: The bacon drippings add a significant amount of flavor to the potatoes. Don’t be tempted to discard all of it!
Keeping It Fresh for Later
If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can use a skillet on the stove top or warm them in the microwave. Keep in mind the bacon may lose some of its crispness upon refrigeration.
From My Kitchen to Yours
There’s something so special about sharing a meal that’s filled with memories. I hope this simple skillet of green beans and potatoes brings as much warmth and comfort to your table as it has to mine. May it be the start of new traditions and happy moments in your own home.
A Few Common Questions I Get
What if I only have frozen green beans?
While fresh green beans are recommended for the best texture, you can use frozen green beans in a pinch. There’s no need to thaw them first; just add them to the skillet and they may require a few extra minutes of cooking time.
Which kind of potatoes work best?
Baby potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes, are ideal for this dish because their skins are thin and they hold their shape well. If using larger potatoes, just be sure to cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the components ahead of time, such as cooking the bacon and boiling the potatoes. However, for the best texture, it’s recommended to combine everything and do the final cook just before serving to ensure the vegetables don’t become soggy.
Print
Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This hearty and flavorful one-skillet dish combines tender baby potatoes, crisp green beans, and smoky beef bacon tossed in savory ranch seasoning. Perfect for a comforting Southern-style side or cozy main meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices beef bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped beef bacon and cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
- Add the halved baby potatoes to the skillet. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender.
- Stir in green beans, olive oil, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 6–8 minutes until beans are tender-crisp and potatoes are fully cooked.
- Return crispy bacon to the skillet and toss everything together. Cook another 1–2 minutes.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy as a side or a cozy main dish.
Notes
For a lighter version, use turkey bacon or homemade ranch seasoning. To store leftovers, refrigerate up to 4 days and reheat in a skillet or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: green beans, potatoes, bacon, ranch, skillet, side dish