• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bites with Bri
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Monthly Recaps
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Spring Dinner Recipes
  • Easy Air Fryer Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Mexican Inspired Recipes
  • About Bri
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Bites with Bri » Side Dish » Instant Pot Southern Green Beans

    Instant Pot Southern Green Beans

    Published: Jun 4, 2021 · Modified: May 18, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit
    jump to recipe print recipe

    These easy Instant Pot Southern Green Beans are the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas because they do not take up space on the stove or in the oven. They are steamed in chicken broth and sautéed in bacon grease for extra flavor.

    Instant pot southern green beans on a large platter.

    These Instant Pot green beans are my favorite basic green bean side, but this Fresh Green Bean Casserole is great if you want something a little more involved.

    If you are looking for more holiday side dishes, try my Brown Sugar Honey Carrots Recipe, Creamy Homemade Mac and Cheese Sauce, or The Best Balsamic Glazed Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How To Make Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Side Dish Recipes
    • Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • One pot Instant Pot side dish
    • Not mushy (al dente)
    • Loaded with flavor from the garlic, onions, and bacon
    • Only 6 ingredients including salt
    • Perfect to pair with any protein 
    • Great holiday side dish
    • Ready in less than 15 minutes

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Ingredients needed to make southern style instant pot green beans.
    • Chicken Broth: Swap for water. 
    • White Onion: Substitute sweet or yellow onion. 
    • Salt: I like a lot of salt so I add ½ of a teaspoon, but some find the bacon adds enough salt to the green beans and prefer less.

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    How To Make Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans

    Quick Overview

    • Steam.
    • Sauté bacon, onions, and garlic.
    • Add green beans to bacon.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Step 1: Place the steamer basket or rack/trivet into the Instant Pot. Add the green beans on top of it and pour in the chicken broth.

    Step 2: Select Pressure Cook (manual) and High Pressure. Set to 0 minutes (or longer see notes). Once the pot has come to pressure and shuts off, quick release (valve switched to venting) immediately and remove the lid.

    steps 1 & 2 
green beans uncooked in pot
steamed green beans in pot

    TIP - Use a rack or basket so the green beans do not get soggy.

    Step 3: Remove the green beans and set aside. Select Sauté mode on the Instant Pot. Add the bacon and cook until it begins to brown, stirring frequently. Once it begins to brown, add the onion and sauté until translucent.

    Step 4: Using a spoon, remove about 2-3 Tablespoons of the bacon grease. This will be almost all of it.

    steps 3 & 4
cooked onion and bacon in pot
greased removed from pot

    TIP - Keep an eye on the bacon and onion. It will cook quickly.

    Step 5: Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Turn the pot off completely.

    Step 6: While the pot is still warm, add the green beans in and toss well.

    steps 5 & 6
garlic, onion, and bacon cooked
green beans tossed with everything in the pot

    TIP - If the pot is too cold, turn on Sauté mode again to warm the green beans more. 

    Expert Tips

    • If you double this recipe, you do not need to double the chicken broth. The broth will still create enough steam to bring the pot to pressure and steam the green beans. 
    • Use kitchen shears to cut the bacon. I love using my shears to dice the bacon. It is so much easier and faster than using a knife and cutting board. 
    • Use fresh garlic. I do not recommend using jarred minced garlic. It does not have nearly as much flavor. 
    • If you prefer your green beans softer, set the timer to 1-2 minutes. I prefer mine al dente so I set it to 0. 
    • Release the pressure from the pot immediately. If you let the pot naturally release or leave the lid on after the timer has gone off, the green beans will over cook. 
    • Don’t forget to remove some of the grease. After the onions and bacon have cooked, you want to remove most of the grease from the pot. The small remainder will be plenty to coat the green beans. You want the flavor from the bacon grease but you do not want the green beans to be oily.
    Southern Instant Pot green beans with bacon and onions on top.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you overcook beans in an instant pot?

    Yes. I like my green beans al dente so I cook on high for 0 minutes which means the pot comes to pressure and immediately turns off. This is enough time to cook the green beans. They can easily over cook so I do not recommend more than 1 minute.

    How long do you pressure cook green beans?

    They take about 5 minutes because the pot has to come to pressure first. Cook on manual high pressure for 0-1 minutes. Quick release (valve switched to venting) immediately and remove the lid.

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Spicy Cucumber Salad
    • What To Serve With Chicken Fried Steak - Best 20 Sides
    • Lebanese Potato Salad
    • Fried Cabbage with Bacon & Onions
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE COMMENT
    5 from 8 votes

    Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans

    These easy Instant Pot Southern Green Beans are the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas because they do not take up space on the stove or in the oven. They are steamed in chicken broth and sautéed in bacon grease for extra flavor.
    Servings4 people
    Prep5 minutes
    Cook10 minutes
    Total15 minutes
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Brianna May

    Ingredients:

    • 12 ounces green beans trimmed
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 4-5 pieces bacon, diced
    • ½ cup diced white onion*
    • 4-5 cloves garlic, grated or minced finely
    • ¼-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt*

    Instructions:

    • Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
    • Place the steamer basket or rack/trivet into the Instant Pot. Add the green beans on top of it and pour in the chicken broth.
    • Select Pressure Cook (manual) and High Pressure. Set to 0 minutes (or longer see notes). Once the pot has come to pressure and shuts off, quick release (valve switched to venting) immediately and remove the lid.
    • Remove the green beans and set aside. Select Sauté mode on the Instant Pot. Add the bacon and cook until it begins to brown, stirring frequently. Once it begins to brown, add the onion and sauté until translucent.
    • Using a spoon, remove about 2-3 Tablespoons of the bacon grease. This will be almost all of it.
    • Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Turn the pot off completely.
    • While the pot is still warm, add the green beans in and toss well.

    Notes:

    Chicken Broth: Swap for water.
    White Onion: Substitute sweet or yellow onion.
    Salt: I like a lot of salt so I add ½ of a teaspoon, but some find the bacon adds enough salt to the green beans and prefer less.
    If you double this recipe, you do not need to double the chicken broth. The broth will still create enough steam to bring the pot to pressure and steam the green beans.
    Use kitchen shears to cut the bacon. I love using my shears to dice the bacon. It is so much easier and faster than using a knife and cutting board.
    Use fresh garlic. I do not recommend using jarred minced garlic. It does not have nearly as much flavor.
    If you prefer your green beans softer, set the timer to 1-2 minutes. I prefer mine al dente so I set it to 0.
    Release the pressure from the pot immediately. If you let the pot naturally release or leave the lid on after the timer has gone off, the green beans will over cook.
    Don’t forget to remove some of the grease. After the onions and bacon have cooked, you want to remove most of the grease from the pot. The small remainder will be plenty to coat the green beans. You want the flavor from the bacon grease but you do not want the green beans to be oily.
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
    « Simple Mac and Cheese without Flour
    Baked Feta Dip with Tomatoes »
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jere Cassidy

      June 11, 2021 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      These green beans are perfectly cooked and just like my grandma made them, only she used the old-fashioned pressure cooker. Will give these beans a try in the IP.

      Reply
    2. Audrey

      June 10, 2021 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      These are great whether for an easy dinner side or the holidays!

      Reply
    3. Michelle Huston

      June 10, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love green beans... and green beans in the Instant Pot? Winner! Definitely fixing these ASAP!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Bri!

    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

    Join my email list!>>

    Spring Dinner Recipes

    • Cast Iron Skillet Lamb Chops
    • Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe
    • 25 Simple Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Recipes
    • Coconut Lime Salmon
    • Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
    • Chicken Penne Alla Vodka

    Top Recipes

    • Lobster Ravioli Sauce
    • Baked Walking Taco Casserole Recipe with Enchilada Sauce
    • Green Chili Beef Enchiladas with White Sauce
    • Dutch Oven Pork Chops
    • Easy Rustic Bread Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients & No-Knead!)
    • Jalapeño Lime Crema

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter!

    Contact

    • Monthly Recaps
    • Work with Me
    • Client Inquiry Form

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Bites with Bri LLC