There’s something so satisfying about crispy bacon wrapping around tender, fresh green beans — a combo that’s both simple and irresistibly delicious. This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe hits all the right notes, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a fancy holiday side that’ll wow everyone.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m honestly hooked on this recipe because it brings together the smoky crispiness of bacon with the fresh snap of green beans, all wrapped up in a sweet-savory glaze. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy enough to whip up anytime you want to impress with minimal effort.
- No-Fuss Prep: Bundling green beans with bacon makes serving and eating super easy and totally mess-free.
- Perfect Balance: The brown sugar substitute with garlic and butter creates a glaze that’s sweet, salty, and savory—just right.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or holiday feast, this side dish always fits in beautifully.
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or add seasonings to match your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
These ingredients come together into a simple but dynamic flavor combination. The fresh green beans provide crunch and earthiness, while bacon adds the savory crisp bite. Butter and brown sugar bring richness and a balanced sweetness, and garlic powder gives it a subtle punch.
- Fresh green beans: The star veggie here; crisp and tender. Look for bright, firm beans without blemishes.
- Bacon slices: Thin-cut works best to get crispy without burning. Thick slices can stay too chewy.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the glaze stick to the bundles.
- Brown sugar substitute: Balances the saltiness of bacon with gentle sweetness—feel free to use real brown sugar if you prefer.
- Garlic powder: For just a hint of savory depth without overpowering the dish.
- Salt and pepper: To season just right—remember bacon is already salty, so use these sparingly.
Make It Your Way
I love adding a little extra kick on occasion by sprinkling chili flakes into the butter glaze, but this recipe is so versatile you can tailor it to your mood or crowd.
- Variation: For a smoky twist, toss a pinch of smoked paprika into the butter glaze before brushing it over the bundles.
- Dietary tweak: Swap out butter for olive oil if you want a dairy-free version that still keeps things moist and flavorful.
- Seasonal addition: Try adding chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary before roasting for an herbal aroma perfect for fall or winter dinners.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Step 1: Prep the green beans and bacon bundles
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and get a wire rack set on a large baking sheet—this helps the bacon crisp evenly all around. Trim the ends off your fresh green beans and pat them dry so the bacon sticks better. Then, grab about 5 to 10 green beans and wrap them snugly with a strip of bacon, tucking the seam side down on the rack. Repeat with the rest—it’s a bit like little green bean cigars, which are surprisingly fun to make!
Step 2: Make the flavorful butter glaze
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until completely combined and smooth—this glaze is what transforms simple bacon and beans into something special. Brush the mixture generously over each bundle, then finish with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Remember, the bacon brings saltiness, so keep it balanced.
Step 3: Roast and crisp
Cover the whole tray tightly with aluminum foil and roast for 35 minutes. This gentle cooking lets the beans soften without burning the bacon. After that, remove the foil and continue roasting for another 10 to 15 minutes—keep an eye here because this is when the bacon gets beautifully crispy and golden. You’ll know it’s perfect when the bacon crackles and the green beans are tender but still have a bit of bite.
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours, here are some tips that saved me time and boosted flavor while making this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe. They’ll help you avoid common pitfalls and get perfect results every time.
- Use a wire rack: This is a game changer for crispy bacon on all sides, plus it keeps the beans from being soggy. Trust me, I learned the hard way when I skipped this step.
- Don’t overpack bundles: Keeping 5 to 10 green beans per strip lets the bacon cook evenly and crisps nicely without being underdone inside.
- Brush glaze generously: It adds moisture, flavor, and the slight sweetness that balances the bacon’s saltiness perfectly.
- Watch the final crisping: When roasting uncovered, keep a close eye to avoid burnt bacon—oven temps and thickness vary, so it might take a few minutes less or more.
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Garnishes
I like topping these bundles with a sprinkle of toasted almonds or a dash of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and texture. A tiny squeeze of lemon right before serving also brightens things up beautifully.
Side Dishes
These pair wonderfully with hearty mains like roast chicken, grilled steak, or baked salmon. For a cozy comfort meal, I love serving them alongside mashed potatoes or a creamy polenta.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, arrange the bundles in a circular pattern on a festive platter with cranberries and rosemary sprigs around the edge—makes for an eye-catching centerpiece. Alternatively, skewer each bacon-wrapped bundle with a toothpick for perfect finger food at casual gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for up to 3 days. When you reheat, the beans stay tender and the bacon retains some crispness if warmed gently.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these before with decent results—just flash freeze the bundles on a tray, then pop them into a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for best texture, but keep in mind the bacon won’t be as crispy after freezing.
Reheating
Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, to restore some crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the bacon from turning rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use frozen green beans if fresh aren’t available. Just make sure to thaw and dry them thoroughly before wrapping to avoid excess moisture making the bacon soggy.
Thin-cut bacon is ideal because it crisps up nicely without remaining chewy. Thick-cut bacon can be used but may need longer cooking time and might not get quite as crispy.
Absolutely! You can assemble the bundles a few hours ahead and refrigerate them unbaked. Just add the butter glaze right before roasting for best results.
They should be tender yet still have a slight snap when you bite into them. Overcooked green beans can be mushy, so roasting covered at first helps soften them without overdoing it.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe has become one of my go-to sides because it’s straightforward, comforting, and packs a punch of flavor that feels special without stress. I’m sure once you try it, you’ll be reaching for bacon and green beans more often, especially when you want to turn something simple into a dish everyone raves about.
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Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans is a savory side dish featuring fresh green beans bundled in crispy bacon, glazed with a buttery brown sugar and garlic mixture, then roasted to perfection for a flavorful, tender bite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 6 slices bacon
For Glaze
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place a wire rack on a large cookie sheet to prepare for roasting.
- Prepare Green Bean Bundles: Wash and dry the green beans, then trim off the ends. Group 5-10 green beans together and lay them on a strip of bacon. Roll the bacon tightly around the green bean bundle and place it seam side down on the wire rack. Repeat until all green beans are wrapped.
- Make the Glaze: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until the mixture is well combined. Remove from heat.
- Brush the Bundles: Brush the butter glaze evenly over the tops of the green bean bundles. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast the Bundles: Cover the tray loosely with foil and roast the bundles in the oven for 35 minutes to tenderize the beans.
- Finish Roasting: Remove the foil and roast for an additional 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the green beans are tender.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor; frozen green beans may be used but canned green beans are not recommended as they may turn mushy.
- Thin cut bacon works best to ensure crispiness; thick cut bacon may not crisp properly.
- Ensure the bacon is wrapped tightly around the bundles to hold shape during roasting.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to preference, especially if using salted butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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