Crispy Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans Recipe

Quick Cowboy-Style Texas Roadhouse Green Beans Recipe

Southern-style green beans sing with smoky, savory flavor in this irresistible Texas Roadhouse copycat green beans recipe that brings restaurant magic straight to your kitchen.

Crisp bacon pieces mingle with tender, perfectly seasoned green beans, creating a side dish that steals the spotlight from any main course.

These beans pack serious comfort and nostalgia in every single bite.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering experience that feels both homey and gourmet.

Simmered slowly to develop deep, rich flavors, these green beans will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serve them alongside your favorite protein and watch as they become the unexpected star of dinner.

You won’t believe how close these taste to the restaurant version.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans

For Base Ingredients:
  • Green Beans: Crisp and vibrant vegetable that provides the core texture and freshness of the dish, choose bright green beans without blemishes or soft spots.
  • Chicken Broth: Delivers deep, savory undertones and helps tenderize the beans, select low-sodium varieties for better flavor control.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Bacon, Onion, Garlic: Powerful trio that creates a smoky, rich foundation with layers of aromatic depth, use thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and sweet onions for natural sweetness.
  • Brown Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar: Brilliant balance of sweet and tangy elements that elevate the overall taste profile, opt for pure cane brown sugar and high-quality apple cider vinegar.
For Seasoning and Spice:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Essential seasonings that amplify and brighten the dish's complex flavor, freshly ground black pepper provides more robust taste, while red pepper flakes add optional subtle heat.

Tools to Make Copycat Green Beans Perfectly

  • Large skillet: Essential for cooking bacon, sautéing onions, and simmering green beans.
  • Paper towels: Used to drain excess bacon grease.
  • Chef's knife: Needed for chopping bacon, dicing onions, and trimming green beans.
  • Cutting board: Provides surface for preparing ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add brown sugar, vinegar, and seasonings.

How to Cook Texas Roadhouse Style Green Beans

How to Cook Texas Roadhouse Style Green Beans
  • Bacon Preparation

Crisp up smoky bacon in a skillet until golden and delightfully crunchy. Set aside the rendered pieces on paper towels to maintain their delectable texture.

  • Aromatic Base

Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in those rich bacon drippings, creating a deeply fragrant foundation for your green bean adventure.

  • Bean Transformation

Add fresh green beans to the skillet, allowing them to dance in the flavorful remnants of bacon and aromatics. Pour chicken broth to help them steam and tenderize.

  • Sweet and Tangy Fusion

Introduce brown sugar and apple cider vinegar to create a magical balance of sweetness and acidity. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a subtle kick if desired.

  • Simmering Magic

Cover and let the beans simmer gently, transforming from raw to tender yet still maintaining a satisfying crunch. The liquid will reduce, concentrating incredible flavor.

  • Final Flourish

Uncover the skillet, letting any remaining liquid evaporate. Crown the beans with those crispy bacon pieces just before serving, creating a mouthwatering Southern-style side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Tastier Copycat Green Beans

Tips for Tastier Copycat Green Beans
  • Save some extra crispy bacon for a crunchy topping that adds irresistible smoky flavor and texture to your green beans.
  • Replace bacon with smoked almonds or pancetta for a different protein twist that keeps the dish exciting and delicious.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat preference – from a gentle sprinkle to a bold kick that wakes up your taste buds.
  • These green beans can be prepared in advance and gently reheated, making them perfect for meal prep or holiday gatherings where time is precious.
  • Chop some fresh parsley or thyme and sprinkle on top just before serving to add a bright, herbal note that elevates the entire dish's complexity.

How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans

How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans
  • Southern Style Side Dish: Pile these green beans alongside grilled chicken or pulled pork for a classic Southern-inspired meal that'll make your taste buds dance.
  • Weekend Barbecue Companion: Bring this dish to your next potluck or family gathering – it's packed with flavor and sure to be a crowd-pleaser that disappears quickly from the serving table.
  • Protein-Packed Veggie Boost: Sprinkle some toasted almonds or pecans on top for extra crunch and nutrition, transforming these green beans from simple side to a more substantial accompaniment that adds texture and wholesome goodness.
  • Comfort Food Remix: Serve these beans with cornbread or buttermilk biscuits to create a comforting plate that feels like a warm hug from your favorite home cook, delivering rich bacon-infused flavors that'll make everyone ask for seconds.

Green Bean Storage Tips You’ll Appreciate

Green Bean Storage Tips You’ll Appreciate
  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. These tasty beans will stay fresh and delicious for 3-4 days when kept in the refrigerator's main compartment.
  • Quick Reheating Trick: Warm up cold green beans in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and restore their original texture. Stir gently to prevent breaking the beans and ensure even heating.
  • Freezing Recommendation: Green beans can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor quality.
  • Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep crispy bacon separate from beans when storing to prevent sogginess. Store bacon bits in a small sealed container and sprinkle on top just before serving to maintain their delightful crunch and maximize flavor impact.
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Crispy Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans Recipe

Crispy Texas Roadhouse Copycat Green Beans Recipe


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4.9 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Green beans seasoned with smoky bacon elevate this classic Texas Roadhouse copycat side dish. Crisp vegetables and savory bacon bits create a flavorful companion to any hearty main course you’ll crave.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 slices bacon (chopped)
  • 1 lb (454 g) fresh green beans (trimmed)
  • 1 small onion (finely diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 8 fl oz (240 mL) chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) brown sugar
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional, about ½ tsp)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Trim green bean ends and rinse under cold water. Finely chop bacon, dice onion, and mince garlic cloves.
  2. Bacon Rendering: Heat cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy and golden-brown. Transfer crisp bacon to paper towel-lined plate, reserving drippings in the skillet.
  3. Aromatic Base: Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in bacon drippings until onions become translucent and fragrant, releasing their savory essence.
  4. Bean Infusion: Add trimmed green beans to skillet, coating thoroughly with drippings, onions, and garlic. Pour in chicken broth to submerge beans completely. Stir in brown sugar and apple cider vinegar, adding crushed red pepper flakes for optional heat.
  5. Seasoning and Simmering: Generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover skillet tightly, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until beans reach a tender yet slightly crisp consistency.
  6. Finishing Touch: Remove lid and allow remaining liquid to evaporate, concentrating flavors. Sprinkle crispy bacon pieces over the green beans and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Bacon Brilliance: Always use thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture that transforms ordinary green beans into a restaurant-worthy side dish.
  • Liquid Love: Don’t skimp on chicken broth – it’s crucial for creating tender beans with deep, rich flavor profiles that penetrate every bite.
  • Simmer Secrets: Keep the lid tightly sealed during cooking to lock in moisture and ensure beans become perfectly tender without losing their vibrant green color.
  • Timing Tactics: Watch closely during the final uncovered stage to prevent burning, allowing just enough liquid to evaporate and concentrate the delicious bacon and seasoning essence.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing, Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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