The Best Copycat Texas Roadhouse Green Beans You Can Make at Home

Name: Texas Roadhouse Green Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ cup diced onion; 5 slices bacon; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon seasoned salt; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 medium garlic cloves ((minced)); 2 (15 ounce) cans of green beans ((with liquid)); 2 teaspoons granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons white vinegar

Whenever I need an easy but tasty side, I go for my take on Texas Roadhouse green beans. Mixing savory bacon, sweet onions, and just-right green beans gives you a feel-good side dish in about 15 minutes.

It’s a hit whether I’m just cooking for the family or I have guests over. It brings a bit of that restaurant-quality taste to my meals without any hassle, which is perfect for my busy nights or family get-togethers. And what’s great? I only need a few simple ingredients to whip it up, so it’s easy on the wallet. Plus, it’s a flexible recipe that goes well with anything, like roast chicken or steak!

Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

Packed with flavor and easy to make, this is a vegetable recipe you'll want seconds of. Canned green beans make it super affordable year-round.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Serving Size servings

Equipment

Large skillet
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring spoons

Ingredients

½ cup diced onion
5 slices bacon
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon salt
2 medium garlic cloves (minced)
2 (15 ounce) cans of green beans (with liquid)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons white vinegar

Instructions

Cook the bacon, onion, and garlic. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon for 5-6 minutes, until most of the fat is rendered, but the bacon is still tender (not crispy). Then, add the diced onion and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Add the green beans and liquid. Pour the canned green beans, with their liquid, into the skillet. Then, stir in the sugar and vinegar, making sure everything is well combined.
Simmer. Simmer the mixture uncovered for 7-10 minutes, or until most liquid evaporates and the beans tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Check for seasoning. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Depending on the saltiness of your bacon and canned green beans, you may need to add more salt. Serve immediately.

Notes

Different green bean cans come with varying levels of salt. Try the dish first before you put in extra salt. Stick to the suggested amount initially, then tweak it to your liking after cooking.

Using fresh garlic rather than the jarred kind will give your food a brighter, stronger taste. Just cook it briefly to avoid burning, which could turn it bitter.

Consider swapping the canned bean liquid with some low-sodium chicken broth to deepen the flavor without overwhelming it. It layers the taste beautifully.

If you like sweeter beans, add more sugar or a splash of honey. For a savory twist, use less sugar or add more vinegar to even things out.

Add a little red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper with the garlic for a subtle, spicy touch. It adds flavor without dominating the dish.

Lastly, garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving adds a burst of color and freshness, contrasting nicely with the savory bacon and spices.

If you want a fast and tasty side dish, you should need to try my green beans inspired by Texas Roadhouse. You can whip this up in just 15 minutes, turning a dish to get everyone talking. These green beans never disappoint, whether for a casual weekday meal or part of a festive table. What’s more, you can enjoy this tasty dish with canned green beans all year round!

Try our Cast Iron Skillet Baked Beans for more classic sides with a bold flavor.

cast iron skillet with cooked green beans and bacon

I hope it becomes a favorite for you, too.

Tips for the Best Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

Keep the bacon on the softer side, just cooked enough. This way, it adds taste to the beans but still has some chewiness. Over-crisping it might make it hard while it simmers.
To keep the beans slightly crunchy, don’t cook them for too long. Cut down on simmering time by a minute or two if you like them to be firm.
Use a wide skillet so the liquid can evaporate quickly. This helps get the beans just right, not too soft. If your pan is small, your beans might get too wet because they’ll steam instead of simmer.
These beans taste best fresh out of the pan. If you must prepare them in advance, keep them in a warm oven and stir them now and then so they don’t dry out.
If there’s a lot of fat in the pan after cooking the bacon, pour off some of it. Just leave a little behind to cook the onions and garlic so you avoid making the beans too oily but still get that delicious bacon taste.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Here’s what you need for this recipe and why it’s important so your dish turns out well.

Canned Green Beans: Canned beans and their juice are handy and make the dish tasty. Pick a brand with firm beans so they don’t get mushy. You can also try using frozen green beans instead. Add a little water or broth to get the same moisture level as you would from the can. If you would like to have your own green beans at home, here’s how to pressure can green beans so you can enjoy garden-fresh flavor year-round.
Bacon: The dish’s flavor comes from smoky, salty bacon. Choosing good bacon is key for the best taste. If unavailable, you can use turkey bacon or pancetta for something lighter. Just note that it’ll taste a bit different.
Sugar: Just a bit of sugar adds a light sweetness that makes the whole dish taste better. If you’re out, you can choose brown sugar. It’ll give your dish a richer, more molasses-like sweetness.
White Vinegar: It adds some tanginess to balance the sugar and bacon’s richness. If you run out of white vinegar, apple cider vinegar works, too, but it is a tad sweeter.
Big Skillet: Use a large, thick skillet so the liquid dries up faster and the beans turn out just right. If the skillet is small, the beans might be too soggy.

These are the main things you need; getting them right will make sure your green beans are perfect!

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this dish with grilled steak, pork chops, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, BBQ ribs, cornbread, or dinner rolls.

After enjoying these savory green beans, why not finish your meal with something sweet, like one of my old-fashioned cake recipes?

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I make this in the oven instead of the stovetop?

Yes, you can! After cooking the bacon and onions, transfer everything to a baking dish and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, uncovered, until the beans are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. This gives a more hands-off approach if you like.

Do I need to drain the bacon grease?

It depends on how much fat your bacon renders. If there’s a lot, you can drain off some, but leave enough to cook the onions and garlic. A little bacon fat adds flavor to the dish, so don’t drain it all!

Can I use sugar substitutes?

Yes, you can use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Splenda to reduce sugar. Just remember that the flavor might be slightly different, and you’ll need to adjust for sweetness since substitutes can vary in strength.

What other seasonings can I add?

You can easily customize the seasoning. Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth, or toss in some Cajun seasoning if you like a spicier, savory flavor. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme can also brighten up the dish.

Can I add other vegetables to the dish?

Absolutely! You can throw in some diced carrots or mushrooms when sautéing the onions. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time so everything is tender but not overcooked.

What can I do if the dish is too salty?

If the dish is too salty, you can balance it by adding more sugar or vinegar. Another trick is to toss in some cooked, unsalted potatoes or beans, which will absorb some of the salt without affecting the flavor too much.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes, you can easily make this recipe vegan. Just skip the bacon and use olive oil or vegan butter to sauté the onions and garlic. You can also add a bit of smoked paprika or liquid smoke to give it that smoky flavor that the bacon would normally provide.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Just make the beans as directed and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently warm them on the stove and add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying.

Storage Instructions

To store your leftovers, let them cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If you’re planning to store leftovers, it’s important to handle them safely. Be sure to check out these leftover and food safety guidelines from the USDA for tips on proper storage and reheating.

When you’re ready to reheat, use a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep them moist or microwave them, though the texture may become a bit softer.

While you can freeze this dish, it’s not recommended because the green beans tend to become mushy when thawed. If you freeze, store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop with some extra liquid for best results. For optimal flavor and texture, it’s best to enjoy them fresh or from the fridge.

I’ve started making these green beans that remind me of the ones from Texas Roadhouse, and they’ve quickly become a go-to side dish for everything from my weeknight meals to holiday dinners. Perfect alongside a juicy steak, roasted chicken, or even by themselves, these green beans are a straightforward favorite. So give this recipe a try, too, and you’ll see how easy it is to add a burst of delicious, restaurant-like flavor to your meals whenever you need a trustworthy side.

The Best Copycat Texas Roadhouse Green Beans You Can Make at Home