KFC Green Beans Recipe

For those of you who’ve ever been to KFC but haven’t tried anything except their chicken items, you’re missing out on a great opportunity.

Their sides make an outstanding pairing for the well-known chicken.

And one of those that stands out the most is the Green Beans since it perfectly balances out the variety of fried chicken recipes KFC is known for.

Although veggies, especially beans, might not be everyone’s cup of tea, this recipe has a flavor that no one can resist.

Today we’ve prepared the most straightforward KFC Green Beans recipe you’ll find anywhere.

How to Make KFC Green Beans

Green beans are a vital ingredient in most vegetable dishes.

And no wonder why—they are crunchy and sweet. But the best thing is that they are packed with plenty of essential nutrients for your body’s daily needs.

You just have to try these KFC Green Beans at home.

But not only because of this. Also, the recipe doesn’t call for fancy ingredients or measuring cups.

Simple ingredients and a little of your time are required to impress anyone at the table.

You’ll need beans, bell peppers, onions, and seasoning. The actual game changer is the bacon bits that give this recipe more crispiness.

So, before we take you to the last step of making this crispy bite, let’s see what we’ll be working with.

Ingredients:

(6 servings)

• 8 oz green beans
• 1 cup yellow onion
• ¼ cup diced bacon
• 1 cup water
• ½ tsp Kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ chopped red bell pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

As promised, preparing and cooking these exquisite KFC Green Beans won’t take much of your time. Plus, there are no tricks or hidden pitfalls here.

You literally can’t spoil the beans no matter how hard you try, as long as you follow the cooking time and the level of heat not to overcook them. You’ll get perfectly crisp yet tender bites if you do everything correctly.

However, you can still incorporate a few things to improve it. The original KFC Green Beans are pretty neutral. So, you can kick off its color and flavor a little.

You can substitute rendered bacon fat for vegetable oil or even use olive oil for some Southern-style green beans. Additionally, try adding ½ teaspoon of chili flakes and squeeze some lemon juice for a pleasant piquancy.

Step 1:

Take a medium-size saucepan and pour 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Heat on medium-low and give it a good stir.

Step 2:

Once the oil is warm enough, add the finely chopped yellow onion, bacon, and red bell peppers. Briefly sauté over medium-low, stirring occasionally.

Step 3:

Add a cup of water and cook for about 3-5 minutes. After the water is about to boil, add the green beans giving it a good stir.

Step 4:

Season the mixture with garlic powder, Kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 5:

Cook your beans for another 7 minutes and remove from heat. Sprinkle with some bacon bits and serve on the side of your favorite dishes.

Note: canned green beans are already cooked. So, don’t cook them for too long, or you’ll end up with a mushy texture that loses all its nutrients.

Ingredient Substitution

KFC Green Beans, being so simple to make, leaves plenty of room for experimenting.

You can adjust the flavors using the mentioned ingredients or remove some of them to make this appetizer healthier.

Consider the following.

Mushroom bacon

Yes, it’s a thing and a pretty tasty one for both vegans and meat lovers. If you want to make KFC Green beans healthier, you can not add bacon.

However, why not try to replace it with mushroom bacon?

Mushrooms can not only be roasted to the same crispy perfection as bacon but also provide the savory umami flavor without unwanted fattiness.

Marinade fresh Portobello or shiitake mushrooms in soy sauce and cook on the stovetop for about 10 minutes until crispy.

It’s exactly as simple as it sounds and super delicious.

Jalapenos

The jalapeno is a perfect red bell pepper substitute if you want something spicier. And don’t worry if you struggle with hot food.

These peppers provide medium heat and are packed with grassy and earthy flavors.

Jalapenos also lack sweetness which makes them ideal for these savory KFC Green Beans. However, remember to remove the seeds to lighten the heat a little.

What to Serve with KFC Green Beans

If you think of what to pair these KFC Green Beans with, the first thing that comes to mind is another of KFC specials, particularly chicken.

But there is no limit to the number of dishes you can serve with these crunchy bites.

It is a great appetizer and snack at the same time. So, anything from meat to salads and pasta will do well.

Steak and shrimp

Deliciously seasoned, succulent steak and shrimp served with the crunchy KFC Green Beans is a true restaurant-style pairing.

The tender and juicy bite of steak have a satisfyingly chewy texture that does wonders with the earthy-sweet flavor of the beans.

But to get the most out of your steak dinner, try ditching the mashed potatoes and serving it with the beans.

We guarantee this combination will yield all the best flavors on your plate.

Broccoli casserole

Casseroles always make for a comforting and filling side dish. However, it becomes irresistible when it is a broccoli casserole topped with cheese mixture.

Plus, this is one of the best ways to get your veggies in.

KFC Green Beans work well with the cheesy broccoli casserole for various reasons, mainly the vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber you get from this combination.

So, not only it’s delicious, but it’s also good for you. Besides, it also goes well with ham, chicken, or fish.

How to Reheat KFC Green Beans

A lot of recipes call for leftover green beans. So you can make a salad or serve it on the side of something else the following day.

You’re safe to reheat and enjoy them if they don’t have an off odor or color.

Reheat KFC Green Beans in a Microwave

Microwaving is always a go-to method to revive leftover green beans.

Although it doesn’t have the same kind of flavor when reheating in a hurry.

Just place the green beans in a microwave-safe dish and cover them with a lid or plastic wrap for an airtight seal.

Check the beans every 30 seconds until they’re at the desired temperature.

Reheat KFC Green Beans in an Oven

To reheat the KFC Green Beans in an oven you need 15 minutes and 400 𐩑F.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the beans in a single layer.

Reheat checking on them occasionally.

How to Store KFC Green Beans

Veggies shouldn’t be stored for too long since they start to lose their flavors.

And with a dish so flavorful as the KFC Green Beans, you have to keep them within 2 hours of cooking to preserve the taste for a little longer.

Store KFC Green Beans in the Fridge

To store cooked green beans in the fridge place them in a shallow airtight container and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. It will help them last for about 3-5 days.

Store KFC Green Beans in the Freezer

To extend the shelf life of the KFC Green Beans, freeze them in a covered airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag wrapped tightly with aluminum foil.

They could last like this for about 10-12 months.