This Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon recipe is the kind of dish that wraps you up in a warm hug. It’s the perfect marriage of tender green beans, creamy potatoes, savory onions, and crisp, smoky bacon—all coated in a rich ranch-seasoned broth that brings it all together with that down-home flavor. Whether you’re whipping it up for a cozy weeknight dinner, bringing it to a church potluck, or pairing it with roasted meat for Sunday supper, this easy one-pan recipe is classic comfort food through and through. It’s hearty enough to serve on its own or makes an excellent side dish for grilled chicken, meatloaf, or even a holiday ham.
lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (you can use frozen, just cook a bit longer)
1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
6 slices of bacon, diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil (optional, especially if using leaner bacon)
Start by cooking the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it turns golden and crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the drippings in the pan. If the bacon is especially lean and doesn’t produce much fat, go ahead and add a splash of olive oil to prevent the veggies from sticking.
Add the chopped onions to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant.
Toss in the potatoes and season with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat everything well with the flavorful base. Add the green beans and sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix over the top. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the green beans are nicely cooked but still vibrant. Stir occasionally, and uncover during the last few minutes to let the broth reduce slightly and intensify the flavor.
Once everything is perfectly tender and coated in that delicious ranch broth, return the bacon to the pan, stir, and let it all meld together for another minute or two.
Serve hot, garnished with a few extra bacon crumbles or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy.
If you prefer extra crispy bacon, you can sprinkle some on top just before serving instead of stirring it all in. This dish also tastes amazing the next day, so it’s great for leftovers. For extra richness, try stirring in a tablespoon of butter at the end before serving. If you like your potatoes a bit more browned or crisp, you can parboil them first and give them a quick sear before adding the green beans and broth.