Homestyle Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

Craving that iconic, irresistibly savory side dish from Texas Roadhouse? Look no further! This copycat Texas Roadhouse green beans recipe brings the beloved restaurant experience straight to your kitchen. Combining tender green beans with crispy bacon and perfectly sautéed onions, it’s a dish that elevates humble green beans into a true flavor sensation. Forget bland boiled vegetables – these green beans are packed with a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy notes that will make them a staple at your dinner table. Simple to prepare, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to impress, this recipe puts a whole new spin on a classic side dish.

Copycat Texas Roadhouse green beans with bacon in a large cast iron skillet, ready to serve. — A close-up of our delicious copycat Texas Roadhouse green beans, freshly cooked in a cast iron skillet.

Contents

Why This Copycat Texas Roadhouse Green Beans Recipe is a Must-Try

There’s a reason why Texas Roadhouse green beans are so popular – they’re not just any green beans! This homemade version captures all the magic of the original, making it an essential addition to your recipe collection. Here’s what makes this recipe truly stand out:

Unforgettable Flavor Profile: These aren’t your average green beans! Texas Roadhouse green beans are renowned for their absolutely delicious balance: deeply savory from the bacon and broth, with a subtle tang from the red wine vinegar, and a hint of sweetness that ties all the flavors together. If you’re a fan of the original restaurant version, you will absolutely LOVE this at-home copycat – it’s practically indistinguishable!
Effortlessly Simple Preparation: This incredibly flavorful side dish couldn’t be easier to make! The entire process takes place in one single skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience. After crisping up some bacon, green beans are cooked directly in the flavorful bacon fat with diced onion, minced garlic, a touch of butter, chicken broth, red wine vinegar, and a hint of sugar and spices. It’s a straightforward method that delivers complex flavors without any fuss.
Incredibly Versatile for Any Occasion: These green beans are fantastic for any weeknight dinner, adding a gourmet touch without extra effort. They make a wonderful accompaniment to hearty main courses like baked ribs, grilled chicken, meatloaf, or even flaky salmon. Beyond daily meals, they’re also a brilliant alternative to the classic green bean casserole and would work beautifully with holiday feasts such as a succulent bacon-wrapped turkey breast or an elegant filet mignon. Their rich, comforting taste makes them perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special gathering.
A Budget-Friendly Restaurant Experience: Enjoy the authentic taste of a restaurant favorite without the restaurant price tag. Using simple, accessible ingredients, you can recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost, making it a smart choice for delicious dining at home.

Close-up of the finished Texas Roadhouse green beans, showing the tender beans, crispy bacon pieces, and caramelized onions. — The perfect blend of green beans, bacon, and onion, creating a delightful texture and flavor.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Flavor

Achieving that signature Texas Roadhouse flavor requires a few key ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the overall taste and texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

Canned Green Beans: Yes, to authentically recreate the delicious classic dish from Texas Roadhouse, we use canned green beans, just like they do. This is critical for achieving that specific soft, tender texture that sets their green beans apart. Fresh green beans would be crispier, and while delicious, wouldn’t quite hit that nostalgic mark. Be sure to drain all the liquid from the cans thoroughly before adding the green beans to the skillet, and give them a quick rinse under cold water to remove any excess salt and improve the overall flavor.
Bacon: Crispy, savory bacon is the foundation of this dish’s rich flavor. Not only does it add a delightful crunch, but cooking the green beans in the rendered bacon fat infuses them with an unparalleled depth of taste. Use a good quality regular cut bacon for the best results.
White Onion: Diced white onion caramelizes beautifully in the bacon fat, adding a sweet and aromatic depth that complements the savory bacon and tangy vinegar.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: This provides moisture for the green beans to simmer and absorb flavor, without making the dish overly salty. Opting for low-sodium broth gives you more control over the final seasoning.
Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential for a robust, aromatic base. It enhances all the other savory flavors in the dish.
Butter: A tablespoon of butter adds a touch of richness and smooth finish to the sauce, helping to bind the flavors.
Red Wine Vinegar: This is one of the “secret weapons” for that signature tangy note. It brightens the dish and cuts through the richness of the bacon, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Don’t skip it!
Granulated Sugar: A small amount of sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the onions and balances the tang of the vinegar, replicating the subtle sweetness found in the original dish.
Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to bring all the flavors into harmony. Always taste and adjust to your preference.

Chef’s Pro Tips for the Best Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

Follow these expert tips to ensure your copycat green beans turn out perfectly every time, just like your favorite restaurant side:

The Canned Green Bean Advantage: As mentioned, the secret to the unique texture of Texas Roadhouse green beans lies in using canned green beans. They are softer and more yielding than fresh or frozen, which is precisely what we’re aiming for. Remember to always drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove excess sodium and improve their taste. If you absolutely prefer fresh or frozen, you can use them, but be aware the texture will be firmer, and cooking times may vary significantly.
Perfectly Crispy Bacon: Start with a cold skillet and gradually increase the heat when cooking bacon. This allows the fat to render slowly, resulting in crispier bacon. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Once crispy, remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet to cook the onions and green beans – this is where much of the flavor comes from!
Don’t Rush the Onions: Allow the diced white onion to sauté until it’s tender and translucent. This process sweetens the onion and builds a crucial layer of flavor for the green beans.
Dietary Adjustments are Simple: This recipe is incredibly adaptable!
- Dairy-Free: Easily make this recipe dairy-free by skipping the butter or replacing it with a tad of olive oil or your favorite plant-based butter alternative.
- Keto-Friendly: It’s already naturally low-carb. To make it completely keto, simply substitute the granulated sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener like Monk Fruit or Swerve, or omit the sweetener entirely if you prefer.
- Vegetarian/Vegan: While bacon is key to the original flavor, a vegetarian version is possible. Sauté onions in olive oil with a pinch of smoked paprika and a drop of liquid smoke to mimic bacon flavor. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your green beans before serving. The amount of salt needed can vary based on the saltiness of your bacon and chicken broth. Adjust salt and pepper as needed to achieve your perfect balance.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

Follow these detailed steps for a flawless batch of savory, restaurant-quality green beans:

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4.98 from 45 votes

Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

Prep:

15 minutes

Cook:

25 minutes

Total:

40 minutes

This at-home version of a popular restaurant side dish tastes just like the original!

Cheryl Malik

6 servings

Ingredients

6 slices bacon, chopped
½ cup diced white onion (approximately half of one medium onion)
2 (16-ounce) cans green beans, drained, rinsed
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon minced garlic (approximately 3 large cloves)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar (see Notes for alternative)
½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (more or less to taste)

Equipment

Large skillet with lid
Large wooden spoon

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chopped bacon and cook until the bacon is just crisp, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Stir often to prevent bacon from sticking and burning. Remove the crispy bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
Add the diced white onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, approximately 5 minutes.
When the onion has softened, add the drained and rinsed green beans, low-sodium chicken broth, minced garlic, butter, red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to fully incorporate all ingredients.
Once ingredients are fully incorporated, reduce the heat under the skillet to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer until the green beans are tender, approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After 10 minutes, taste the green beans and add salt and/or pepper as needed to your preference. When satisfied with the flavor, transfer the green beans to a serving dish or divide into individual portions and serve warm, garnished with the reserved crispy bacon.

Notes

Green Beans: Texas Roadhouse uses canned green beans for their specific tender texture, so we recommend them for authenticity. You can use fresh or frozen green beans instead, but expect a slightly different, firmer flavor and texture, and potentially longer cooking times.
Salt: If you use regular chicken broth (rather than low sodium), taste the green beans before adding the ½ teaspoon salt. You may find it’s not needed, or you may need less. Always taste and adjust!
Make it Keto: To make this recipe keto-friendly, replace the granulated sugar with a granular keto sweetener such as Monk fruit or Swerve, or omit the sweetener entirely.
Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

These flavorful green beans are incredibly versatile and can complement a wide array of main dishes. Their rich, savory, and slightly sweet profile makes them a fantastic side for:

Classic American Comfort Food: Think alongside hearty meatloaf, succulent baked ribs, or perfectly cooked steaks. Their robust flavor stands up well to strong main courses.
Grilled & Roasted Meats: Whether it’s grilled chicken, a juicy pork chop, or a roasted turkey breast, these green beans add a burst of flavor and a touch of vegetable goodness.
Holiday Feasts: Move over, traditional green bean casserole! These copycat Texas Roadhouse green beans offer a fresh, exciting, and equally comforting alternative for your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter spread. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Seafood Dishes: Surprisingly, their tangy-sweet profile also pairs beautifully with certain seafood. Try them with a simple baked or pan-seared salmon for a well-rounded meal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

What makes Texas Roadhouse green beans taste so unique?: The unique flavor comes from a combination of cooking green beans in bacon fat, sautéing them with onions and garlic, and adding a touch of sweetness (sugar) and tanginess (red wine vinegar) along with chicken broth for a savory base. The use of canned green beans also contributes to their signature tender texture.
Can I use fresh or frozen green beans instead of canned?: While canned green beans are key to replicating the specific tender texture of the Texas Roadhouse original, you can certainly use fresh or frozen. If using fresh, you may need to blanch them briefly before adding them to the skillet, or simmer them longer to achieve desired tenderness. Frozen green beans should be thawed and drained thoroughly. Be aware that the texture will be firmer than with canned beans.
How do I store and reheat leftover green beans?: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a tablespoon or two of chicken broth or water if they appear dry. You can also reheat them in the microwave in short bursts until warmed through.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?: Yes, you can prepare these green beans a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat just before serving as described above. The flavors often deepen overnight!
Is this recipe spicy?: No, this recipe is not inherently spicy. It’s savory, sweet, and tangy. If you prefer a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
What kind of skillet is best for this recipe?: A large cast iron skillet is ideal because it retains heat well and distributes it evenly, which is great for crisping bacon and simmering the beans. Any large, heavy-bottomed skillet with a lid will work just as well.

More Delicious Side Dishes to Explore

If you loved this recipe, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic side dish ideas that complement a variety of meals:

Southern Fried Potatoes
Creamy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Air Fryer Carrots
Savory Italian Rice
Perfect Sous Vide Asparagus
Simple French Green Lentils Recipe
Quick Instant Pot Cornbread
Mom’s Famous Cheesy Potato Casserole
Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Cornbread with Cinnamon Honey Butter
Gluten Free Crispy Onion Rings
Spicy Cajun Fries
Herb Roasted Potato Salad