How to Can Green Beans with Bacon: A Step-by-Step Guide

Canning green beans with bacon is a delicious way to preserve the bounty from your garden or local farm stands. The salty smoky bacon perfectly complements the crisp fresh flavor of green beans. Canned green beans with bacon make amazing gifts and are fantastic to have on hand for quick side dishes.

While the idea of canning meat might seem intimidating, it’s actually quite safe and simple when done properly In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of canning green beans with bacon step-by-step. Let’s get started!

Why Can Green Beans with Bacon?

This is why you should can green beans with bacon before we get to the how-to:

• Adds indulgent, smoky bacon flavor to fresh green beans
• Bacon renders while canning, infusing beans with fat for texture
• Makes a convenient, shelf-stable side dish with protein
• Allows enjoying garden-fresh beans year-round
• Provides a tasty homemade gift from your kitchen
• Saves money versus store-bought canned green beans

The combination of soft beans and salty bacon tastes great and is a simple way to keep seasonal produce fresh. Now let’s go over the process.

Ingredients Needed

Canning green beans with bacon requires just a few simple ingredients:

• Fresh green beans – Look for slender, crisp beans without bulges or bruises.
• Bacon – Use regular sliced bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Canning salt (optional) – Non-iodized salt like pickling salt
• Water – To cover beans in the jars
• Canning jars – Quart or pint size, with new lids and rings

And of course, don’t forget your water bath or pressure canner and other standard canning tools. Now we’re ready to get prepping!

Step-by-Step Canning Process

Follow these simple steps for safely canned green beans with bacon at home:

1. Prep the ingredients

• Wash and trim green bean ends. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Cut bacon into 1-inch pieces.
• Add 1 Tbsp bacon and 1 tsp canning salt (optional) to each quart jar. Use 1⁄2 Tbsp bacon and 1⁄2 tsp salt per pint jar.

2. Pack the jars

• Pack prepared green beans tightly into jars over the bacon, leaving 1 inch headspace.
• The beans will shrink during processing, so pack them in very tightly.

3. Remove air bubbles

• Slide a chopstick down the sides of the jar to remove trapped air bubbles.
• Add more beans if needed to maintain proper headspace.

4. Add water & seal jars

• Pour fresh water into each jar over the beans, maintaining 1 inch headspace.
• Wipe rims with a clean, damp cloth.
• Affix prepared lids and rings and tighten to “finger tight.”

5. Process the jars

• Process pint or quart jars in a pressure canner at 10 psi for 25 minutes.
• Allow pressure to fully drop before removing jars.

6. Cool & store jars

• Allow jars to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
• Check seals, then label and store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.

And that’s it – you’ve successfully canned green beans with bacon! Now let’s go over some additional guidance.

Handling Safety with Canned Bacon

When canning any meat, it’s crucial to follow proper food safety guidelines:

• Use only recently processed bacon, not leftovers. Cure info should be available.
• Trim bacon slices of excess fat, which can turn rancid.
• Ensure proper canner pressure & timing to destroy botulism bacteria risk.
• Only use USDA-approved recipes from trusted sources.
• Look for signs of spoilage before eating, such as bulging lids or foul odors.
• Refrigerate after opening and consume within 4 days.

Tips for Delicious Results

Follow these tips for the very best home-canned green beans with bacon:

• Choose young, slender green beans for the best texture. Avoid bulging or mature beans.
• Pack beans very tightly into jars – they will shrink. Under-packing leads to floating beans.
• Add herbs like dill or seasonings like red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
• Use homemade or artisanal bacon for the best smoky flavor.
• Refrigerate jars for 1-2 weeks before eating for ideal flavor melding.
• Pair the bacon-infused beans with roasted potatoes or in green salads.

Storing Your Canned Goods

Be sure to store your finished green bean and bacon jars properly:

• Allow 12-24 hours for seals to fully set before moving jars.
• Store in a cool, dark place between 50°F – 70°F.
• Keep jars out of direct sunlight to avoid fading and nutrient loss.
• Ensure jars are labeled with contents and canning date for easy identification.
• Inspect periodically for broken seals, rust, or spoilage.
• For best quality and safety, use canned beans within 1 year.

Proper storage keeps your hard work delicious and ready to enjoy!

More Canning Inspiration

Expanding your canning skills is rewarding and ensures you can make the most of seasonal produce. If you love green bean and bacon, try canning these combinations next:

• Beans with smoked turkey, ham hocks, or sausage
• Mixed vegetables like carrots, lima beans, peas, and pearl onions
• Beans flavored with onion, garlic, mustard, or hot peppers
• Beans with potatoes or baby potatoes
• Three bean salad with kidney, garbanzo, and green beans

Canning is the perfect way to create quick, healthy meals while also reducing food waste. Get creative with beans and bacon or other variations for home-preserved goods your whole family will love.

Enjoy Your Canned Creations!

Canning green beans with bacon makes a wonderful homemade gift, too. Share your canning handiwork with lucky friends and family! Whatever you choose to do with your canned goods, you’ll love having these ready-to-use beans on hand for easy dinners, potlucks, andholiday side dishes.