There’s something unbelievably satisfying about the mix of smoky bacon and crisp-tender green beans in this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe. It’s a simple side that packs a ton of flavor and always gets everyone asking for seconds at our dinner table.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times this bacon wrapped green beans recipe has turned a simple weeknight dinner into a little celebration. It’s that perfect combo of crisp veggies and irresistible bacon that everyone loves.
- Easy yet impressive: You’ll wow your guests with minimal effort and just a handful of ingredients.
- Perfect texture: Tender green beans meet crispy, caramelized bacon – a total win for your taste buds.
- Customizable flavors: The buttery, garlicky glaze with a touch of sweetness perfectly complements the smoky bacon.
- Great for any meal: It’s a fantastic side for holiday dinners, barbecues, or just adding some fun to your weekday meals.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a starring role here, creating a balanced dish with smoky, sweet, and savory notes. Plus, shopping is simple because these are all easy-to-find basics.
- Fresh green beans: Fresh is best for that perfect snap and vibrant color, which really shines through after roasting.
- Bacon slices: Thin-cut works wonders here, crisping up beautifully without overpowering the beans.
- Butter: Adds richness to the glaze and helps meld the flavors together.
- Brown sugar substitute: Gives a nice caramelized sweetness without too much sugar hit, balancing the bacon's saltiness.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory depth that ties everything together.
- Salt and pepper: Just enough to season and enhance flavors without overwhelming the subtlety of the beans.
Make It Your Way
I like to switch things up occasionally by adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat or swapping in a maple syrup drizzle instead of the brown sugar substitute. You can make this recipe truly yours!
- Variation: One time, I tossed cooked almonds inside the bundles before wrapping them for extra crunch—it was a delightful surprise that added texture and nuttiness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Step 1: Prep your green beans and bacon bundles
Start by washing and drying your green beans thoroughly—wet beans can make it tricky for the bacon to crisp properly. Trim off the ends, then take 5–10 beans and lay them neatly on a slice of bacon. Roll the bacon tightly around the beans and set the bundles seam-side down on a wire rack placed over a cookie sheet. This setup lets the bacon crisp on all sides without getting soggy from the drippings below.
Step 2: Create the buttery glaze and brush it on
Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until completely combined. This glaze is the magic touch that balances savory bacon with sweet and garlicky goodness. Use a pastry brush to generously coat each bacon bundle — don’t skip this step because it adds so much flavor and helps caramelize the bacon beautifully.
Step 3: Roast and crisp to perfection
Cover the bundles loosely with foil and pop them into a 400°F oven for 35 minutes. This gentle roast lets the green beans steam and soften just right. Then, remove the foil and roast for an additional 10–15 minutes to crisp up the bacon. Keep a close eye here because bacon can go from perfect crispy to burnt pretty quickly. The beans should be tender but still have a nice snap — that’s when you know you timed it perfectly.
Top Tip
Based on my many runs making this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe, these tips save time and boost flavor every single time.
- Use a wire rack: It elevates the bacon bundles so heat circulates evenly, resulting in crispy bacon all around.
- Don’t overcrowd: Give each bundle enough space on the rack — too close and the bacon steams instead of crisps.
- Watch the last 10 minutes: The uncovered baking phase is where the magic happens — stay close and pull them out once the bacon crisps nicely.
- Dry beans are happy beans: Make sure your green beans are fully dry before rolling so the bacon crisps better.
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little flaky sea salt right after removing the bundles from the oven, along with some freshly ground black pepper. Sometimes I add a handful of toasted sliced almonds for a bit of extra crunch and a pop of color.
Side Dishes
This is my go-to side when serving roasted chicken or grilled steak—it complements rich proteins beautifully. It also pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or a creamy risotto if you want to keep the meal cozy and comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I love arranging these bacon bundles upright in a pretty serving dish, almost like a little crown of green and bacon. They also look great served family-style on a large platter with sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary tucked around for a festive touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bacon wrapped green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When packed well, they stay moist but you might lose a bit of the initial crispiness.
Freezing
Freezing works if you’re in a pinch—wrap each bundle tightly and flash freeze before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. When reheated, bacon may not be quite as crisp, so I recommend reheating in the oven rather than the microwave.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat is on a wire rack in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes. This warms the green beans through while crisping up the bacon again without drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use frozen green beans, but I recommend thawing and drying them thoroughly first to avoid soggy bacon. Fresh green beans give the best texture, but frozen works in a pinch.
Thin cut bacon is ideal because it crisps up nicely around the beans without needing excessive cooking time. Thick cut bacon tends to stay chewy and won’t get as crisp in the oven.
Absolutely! You can assemble the bundles a few hours before baking and keep them covered in the fridge. Just take them out a little before baking to lose chill, then follow the roasting instructions.
Reheating in a 350°F oven on a wire rack works best. It crisps the bacon back up without making the green beans mushy or dried out. Avoid reheating in the microwave if you want to keep the crisp texture.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a treat every time I make it, yet it’s so simple to pull together. When you try it, you’ll see that it brings a little extra warmth and joy to any meal, and I’m betting it’ll become a regular favorite at your table, too. Give it a go—you might just find your new go-to side dish!
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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
This delicious Bacon Wrapped Green Beans recipe features fresh green beans bundled in crispy bacon, coated with a buttery, garlic, and brown sugar glaze, then oven-roasted for perfect tenderness and flavor. Ideal as a savory side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Green Bean Bundles
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 6 slices bacon
Glaze
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a wire rack on a large cookie sheet to allow air circulation around the bundles for even cooking.
- Prepare Green Beans: Wash and dry the green beans, then cut off the ends carefully. Gather about 5 to 10 green beans and lay them in a neat bundle on a strip of bacon.
- Wrap Bundles: Roll the bacon tightly around the green bean bundle and place it seam side down on the prepared wire rack. Repeat this process with the remaining green beans and bacon.
- Make Glaze: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Stir in the brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until well combined, then remove from heat.
- Apply Glaze and Season: Brush the butter mixture over the tops of the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly to taste.
- Roast Covered: Cover the entire baking sheet with aluminum foil. Roast in the preheated oven for 35 minutes to allow the beans to cook through and bacon to render fat.
- Finish Roasting: Remove the foil and continue roasting for an additional 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and green beans are tender but still slightly crisp.
Notes
- Fresh green beans are preferred for the best texture, though frozen green beans can be used if fresh are not available. Avoid canned green beans as they tend to become mushy.
- Thin cut bacon crisps better in this recipe. Thick cut bacon may remain chewy and not crisp properly.
- Ensure the bacon is wrapped seam side down to prevent unraveling during roasting.
- Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow heat circulation and prevent sogginess under the bacon bundles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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