Loaded Green Beans

Green beans get a serious upgrade when bacon, andouille sausage, shrimp, garlic, and blackened seasoning all hit the same pan.

The bacon cooks first until crispy, leaving behind smoky flavor for the andouille sausage to brown in. Then the shrimp gets seasoned with Zatarain’s Blackened seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika before cooking quickly in the same skillet.

Once the garlic and green beans go in, everything starts soaking up all that flavor from the bacon, sausage, shrimp, and seasonings. The result is a simple pan of green beans that tastes anything but plain.

Loaded enough to serve as a full meal and easy enough to make as a side, this recipe brings together smoky, garlicky, savory flavor in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Loaded with bacon, sausage, shrimp, and green beans.
  • Bold Cajun-style flavor from blackened seasoning.
  • Easy skillet recipe with simple ingredients.
  • Works as a hearty side dish or full meal.
  • Smoky, garlicky, savory flavor in every bite.

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.

Ingredients

This recipe combines green beans, crispy bacon, browned andouille sausage, seasoned shrimp, minced garlic, and bold seasonings into one loaded skillet-style dish. Each ingredient cooks in the same pan so the green beans pick up all the smoky and savory flavor from the bacon, sausage, and shrimp.

The Zatarain’s Blackened seasoning adds a bold Cajun-style flavor to the shrimp, while the garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika help tie everything together. The finished dish is hearty, flavorful, and perfect as a side dish or a simple dinner.
  • 4 thick slices of bacon
  • 1 lb Andouille sausage (Zatarain’s brand)
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Zatarain’s Blackened seasoning, for shrimp
  • Onion powder, to taste
  • Garlic powder, to taste
  • Paprika, to taste
  • 1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 large can (25 oz) green beans

How To Make Loaded Green Beans

Step 1: Cook Bacon

Cut the bacon into pieces and fry it in a pan until crispy. Once done, remove and set aside.

Step 2: Cook Andouille Sausage

In the same pan, fry the Andouille sausage until browned. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Cook Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the pan and season with Zatarain’s Blackened seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Cook the shrimp until done and then remove them from the pan.

Step 4: Sauté Garlic

In the same pan, add a heaping tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté for a minute or two.

Step 5: Add Green Beans

Pour in the 25 oz can of green beans and stir. Let them cook down for a minute.

Step 6: Combine Everything

Add the cooked bacon, sausage, and shrimp back into the pan with the green beans. Mix everything together and let it cook for a few more minutes to combine the flavors.

Step 7: Serve

Once everything is heated through and well-mixed, serve and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • Smoked sausage can be used instead of andouille for a milder version. It still adds smoky flavor without as much Cajun-style spice.
  • A squeeze of lemon juice over the finished dish adds brightness and works especially well with the shrimp. It helps balance the smoky sausage and bacon.
  • Diced onion or bell pepper can be cooked after the sausage for extra flavor and color. Both ingredients pair well with the green beans and blackened shrimp.
  • Red pepper flakes or hot sauce can be added if you want the dish spicier. Start small so the heat does not overpower the shrimp and garlic.
  • A small sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving adds a salty finish. It melts slightly over the warm green beans and gives the dish extra richness.

Tips for Success

  • Cook the bacon until crispy so it adds the best texture when mixed back in.
  • Brown the andouille sausage well to build smoky flavor in the pan.
  • Do not overcook the shrimp because they can become rubbery quickly.
  • Use the same pan for every step so the green beans absorb all the flavor.
  • Drain the green beans if you want a less saucy skillet.
  • Taste before serving and add more blackened seasoning if you want bolder flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?

Yes, fresh green beans can be used instead of canned green beans, but they will need more time to cook. Trim them first and add them to the pan earlier so they can soften. You may also want to add a splash of broth or water to help them cook down without drying out.

Can I use a different sausage?

Absolutely. Andouille sausage gives the dish a smoky Cajun-style flavor, but smoked sausage, kielbasa, or turkey sausage can also work. Each option will change the flavor slightly, but the recipe will still be hearty and savory.

How do I keep the shrimp from overcooking?

Shrimp cooks very quickly, so remove it from the pan as soon as it turns opaque and curls slightly. Since it gets added back in at the end, it will warm through again with the green beans, bacon, and sausage. Cooking it separately helps keep the texture tender.

Can I make loaded green beans ahead of time?

Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated later. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the best texture, reheat gently in a skillet so the shrimp does not overcook.

What can I serve with loaded green beans?

Loaded green beans pair well with rice, mashed potatoes, cornbread, grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, or barbecue dishes. Since this recipe already has bacon, sausage, and shrimp, it can also work as a simple one-pan meal on its own.

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.

Loaded Green Beans

No ratings yet
Green beans loaded with crispy bacon, andouille sausage, blackened shrimp, garlic, and bold Cajun-style seasonings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 thick slices bacon
  • 1 lb Andouille sausage
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Zatarain’s Blackened seasoning
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • paprika
  • 1 heaping tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 25 oz can green beans

Method
 

  1. Cut the bacon into pieces and fry it in a pan until crispy. Once done, remove and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, fry the Andouille sausage until browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the shrimp to the pan and season with Zatarain’s Blackened seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Cook the shrimp until done, then remove from the pan.
  4. In the same pan, add a heaping tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes.
  5. Pour in the 25 oz can of green beans and stir. Let them cook down for a minute.
  6. Add the cooked bacon, sausage, and shrimp back into the pan with the green beans. Mix everything together and let it cook for a few more minutes to combine the flavors.
  7. Once everything is heated through and well mixed, serve and enjoy.

Video

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Share The Recipe

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Hey, I'm Scotty

What started as just messing around in the kitchen and posting recipes online quickly turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. At first, it was just a side hustle—sharing simple, easy meals that anyone could make without overthinking it.

Popular Recipes

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.

Recent Recipes

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

Subscribe to my newsletter to get free recipes and a lot more!

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.