Creole Green Beans

6 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 25 m Total: 40 m Beginner
Green beans—also known as string beans or pole beans—are a popular vegetable among the Cajun culture. This Creole-style version brings bacon, tomatoes, and a touch of brown sugar together for a flavorful side dish that’s anything but ordinary.

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon
  • 3/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/8 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 can (16 oz) peeled tomatoes
  • 1 can (16 oz) green beans, drained

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 3 tablespoons of drippings in the skillet.
  2. Add the onion and bell pepper to the bacon drippings. Sauté over medium heat until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Blend in the flour, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and dry mustard. Stir well to combine. Add the tomatoes with their juice, breaking them up with a spoon. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 8-10 minutes.
  4. Add the drained green beans and stir to coat. Heat thoroughly, about 5 minutes. Crumble the reserved bacon and sprinkle on top as garnish. Serve hot.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my sauce too thin?

A: Make sure you're stirring constantly after adding the flour and cooking long enough for the flour to thicken the tomato mixture. If it's still thin, simmer a few extra minutes to reduce the liquid.

Q: Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?

A: Absolutely! Blanch 1 pound of fresh green beans in boiling water for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender, then drain well before adding to the sauce in step 4.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t drain the canned tomatoes—their juice adds flavor and helps create the sauce. The brown sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully, but adjust to your taste if you prefer it less sweet.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • bacon: salt pork or ham
  • canned green beans: 1 pound fresh green beans, blanched
  • brown sugar: white sugar or a pinch of cayenne for a less sweet version

Equipment Needed

  • large skillet
  • paper towels for draining bacon
  • wooden spoon for stirring

Historical Context

Creole cooking often uses tomatoes in unexpected ways, and this dish showcases how a simple vegetable becomes company-worthy with the addition of a flavorful bacon-tomato sauce sweetened just enough to round out the flavors.