A popular holiday side dish in the South, Sweet and Sour Green Beans, combines canned green beans with smokey, crumbled bacon, crunchy water chestnuts, sweet onions, and a tantalizing sweet and sour sauce made with granulated sugar and vinegar.
214.5 ounce canscut green beansone drained, one not drained
18 ounce canwater chestnuts,sliced and drained
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
Pan-fry the bacon in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes or until it is browned and crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Leave the bacon grease in the pan.
Add sugar and vinegar to the skillet and stir until everything is well combined. Add the sliced onions and cook for 15 minutes.
Add two cans of green beans, one drained and one not drained, and then add the can of drained, sliced water chestnuts. Combine and simmer for five minutes.
Crumble the bacon and add it to the green bean mixture - cover and bake for 30 minutes in the oven.
Pour into a casserole or serving dish and serve immediately!
Video
Notes
This dish is delicious served either warm or at room temperature.
You can also make this side dish up to 24 hours ahead and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Fresh or frozen green beans can be substituted in this recipe, but you will have to add about a half cup of chicken or vegetable broth to make up for the lack of liquid. Uncooked green beans will need to be cooked in boiling water for eight to ten minutes on the stove or covered and microwaved for about five to six minutes.
If you are trying to cut back on salt, you can certainly use low or reduced-sodium-canned vegetables.
Leftovers can be stored covered in your refrigerator for up to four days. They can be reheated covered in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove.
For another quick side dish, try heating a can of drained green beans in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat with a tablespoon of butter or bacon grease. Once warmed through, add a touch of salt and garlic powder. Then, to vary the taste, add a tablespoon or so of any or a combination of these ingredients: sliced or slivered almonds, pesto, lemon zest, soy sauce or Worchestire sauce, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes cut in half, pinenuts, parmesan cheese or feta cheese, and serve.