Description
Craving a side dish that everyone will ask for seconds? Best Crack Green Beans are crisp-tender green beans tossed in a sweet and savory glaze, loaded with smoky bacon, and baked to caramelized perfection. This easy recipe is your new favorite for quick dinner sides, family gatherings, and any time you want a healthy-ish veggie that steals the spotlight. Perfect for anyone searching for quick breakfast, easy dinner, healthy snack, breakfast ideas, dinner ideas, easy recipe, or food ideas.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans
6 slices thick-cut bacon
1/4 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Trim the ends off the green beans. If using fresh, blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain, and set aside. If using frozen, thaw and pat dry. For canned, drain and blot dry.
2. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
3. In the same skillet with bacon fat, add butter and brown sugar. Stir over medium heat until melted and smooth. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute, then add soy sauce and black pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Place green beans in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the sauce over the beans and toss to coat. Top with the cooked bacon.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and caramelized.
6. Toss gently and serve hot.
Notes
For extra crispy green beans, reduce baking time by 5 minutes and serve immediately.
Substitute turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon for a lighter or meatless version.
Make ahead: Assemble everything in the baking dish up to one day in advance. Bake right before serving, adding 5–10 minutes to the bake time if cold.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 176
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 24mg
Keywords: green beans, easy dinner, side dish, holiday recipe, healthy snack