Canning Green Beans with Bacon: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Canning green beans with bacon is a classic way to preserve this summer vegetable, adding a savory and smoky flavor that elevates the dish. This recipe is not only delicious but also a great way to enjoy green beans year-round, capturing the freshness of summer in a jar.
Why Choose Canning Green Beans with Bacon?
- Flavor: The addition of bacon adds a rich, smoky dimension to the green beans, creating a flavor that is both comforting and satisfying.
- Preservation: Canning allows you to store green beans for extended periods, ensuring you have a ready supply even during the winter months.
- Versatility: Canned green beans with bacon can be enjoyed as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or used as a topping for salads.
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 cup bacon, chopped
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar (optional)
Equipment:
- Large stockpot
- Jars (pint or quart size), sterilized
- Canning lids and rings
- Jar lifter
- Canning rack
- Wide-mouth funnel
- Large spoon or ladle
- Kitchen towel
- Water bath canner
Instructions:
Preparation:
- Clean and prepare: Wash green beans thoroughly and trim ends. Snap them into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Sterilize jars: Wash jars in hot, soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and sterilize in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Prepare bacon: Fry bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon from pan and set aside. Reserve bacon fat in the skillet.
Canning:
- Pack jars: Place green beans in sterilized jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace at the top.
- Add bacon and seasonings: Add 1-2 tablespoons of crispy bacon to each jar. Add water, salt, pepper, and vinegar (optional) to each jar, filling to within 1 inch of the top.
- Process: Place jars in a water bath canner, ensuring jars are submerged in water by at least 1 inch. Bring water to a boil and process for 25 minutes (pint jars) or 30 minutes (quart jars).
- Remove and cool: Carefully remove jars from canner using a jar lifter and place on a kitchen towel to cool completely.
Enjoy:
- Store: Once completely cool, check lids for seal by pressing down in the center. If they don't budge, they are properly sealed. Store canned green beans in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
- Serve: Enjoy canned green beans with bacon as a side dish or incorporate them into your favorite recipes.
Tips:
- Use fresh green beans: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh, high-quality green beans.
- Adjust seasonings: Feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and vinegar to your liking.
- Add additional ingredients: Get creative and add other ingredients like garlic, onions, or herbs to your jars for added flavor.
- Process safely: Follow the processing times carefully to ensure proper preservation and safety.
Canning green beans with bacon is a rewarding and delicious way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. With a little time and effort, you can create a pantry staple that will add flavor and convenience to your meals.
