Canning Green Beans with Bacon: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Canning green beans with bacon is a classic recipe that results in a flavorful and hearty side dish perfect for any meal. This method not only preserves the beans but also adds a delightful smoky bacon flavor that enhances their natural sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 pound bacon, diced
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Preparation
- Prepare your jars: Wash and sterilize pint or quart jars and lids.
- Prepare the green beans: Wash and trim the green beans, removing any tough ends. If you want smaller pieces, you can cut them into 1-inch lengths.
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pan.
Canning Process
- Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 3-5 minutes, or until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain the green beans immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Pack the jars: In each jar, layer the blanched green beans and cooked bacon, filling the jars to within 1 inch of the top.
- Add the brine: In the same pan used to cook the bacon, combine the water, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and pour the hot brine over the green beans in each jar, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Remove air bubbles: Run a clean spatula or a butter knife around the inside of the jar to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean damp cloth to ensure a proper seal.
- Process in a water bath: Place a rack in the bottom of a large pot and fill with water to 1-2 inches above the rack. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Carefully lower the jars into the boiling water bath, ensuring they are covered by at least 1 inch of water.
- Process the jars: Process the pint jars for 25 minutes and the quart jars for 30 minutes, adjusting the processing time for altitude.
- Remove jars and cool: After processing, carefully lift the jars from the water bath using a jar lifter and place them on a clean towel to cool completely.
Important Tips:
- Use high-quality green beans: Fresh, vibrant green beans will yield the best results.
- Don't overcook the green beans: Blanching them for too long will result in mushy beans.
- Use a reliable recipe: Make sure you are using a recipe from a reputable source to ensure safety.
- Follow the processing times carefully: Underprocessing can result in food spoilage, while overprocessing can lead to mushy beans.
Enjoy your canned green beans with bacon! You can serve them cold as a side dish or heat them up for a delicious meal. This recipe allows you to enjoy the flavor of fresh green beans all year round.
