There’s something just irresistibly savory and satisfying about the mix of crisp bacon and tender green beans in this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe. It’s the kind of dish that brings out big smiles around the table, and every bite has that perfect combo of smoky, buttery, and slightly sweet flavors you'll want to make again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe ticks so many boxes for me—flavor, ease, and crowd-pleasing appeal. It’s one of those recipes that feels special yet is surprisingly simple to whip up, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings alike.
- Flavor Explosion: The bacon’s smoky saltiness perfectly wraps the green beans, while the butter and brown sugar add rich, balancing sweetness.
- Simple Prep: Few ingredients, minimal chopping, and quick assembly mean you’re in and out of the kitchen fast without skimping on taste.
- Versatile Side: Works wonderfully alongside everything—from casual burgers to elegant roast dinners.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Prep in advance and reheat with ease without losing that crispy bacon edge.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe has its role to create that perfect harmony of textures and flavors. Picking the freshest green beans and the right type of bacon makes all the difference.
- Fresh Green Beans: Crisp and tender beans give the bundles a pleasant bite—avoid frozen or canned unless you cook them carefully to prevent sogginess.
- Bacon: Thin-cut bacon crisps up nicely wrapping the beans, infusing smoky flavor; thick-cut bacon can be tougher to get crispy.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps meld the flavors of bacon and seasoning together.
- Brown Sugar Substitute: Balances the saltiness of the bacon with a gentle sweetness, making the flavor profile more layered.
- Garlic Powder: Brings a subtle warmth and depth without overpowering the key ingredients.
- Salt and Pepper: Season lightly since bacon adds salt, but a pinch completes the taste perfectly.
Make It Your Way
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe is how flexible it is. You can tweak seasonings, swap ingredients, and make it your own to fit any season or craving.
- Variation: I once added a sprinkle of red chili flakes before baking for a gentle kick—the smoky bacon with a bit of heat was a real crowd-pleaser.
- Make it Keto-friendly: Skip the brown sugar or use a low-carb sweetener, and you’ve got a winning keto side dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
- Seasonal Twist: Swap green beans for asparagus or add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the butter glaze for a fresh flavor when green beans aren’t in season.
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 about a pound of fresh green beans. Trim the ends off, so they’re tidy and easy to eat. Then, take about 5-10 green beans and gather them into a small bundle that fits nicely on a slice of thin-cut bacon. Lay the green bean bundle on the bacon strip and roll the bacon tightly around it. Place each bundle seam side down on a wire rack set over a baking sheet—this lets the bacon crisp up evenly without sitting in fat.
Step 2: Make the Butter Glaze and Brush It On
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan, then stir in a tablespoon of brown sugar substitute and a teaspoon of garlic powder. Once combined, remove from heat and generously brush the glaze over each bacon-wrapped green bean bundle. A sprinkle of salt and pepper completes the seasoning.
Step 3: Roast to Perfection
Cover the bundles loosely with foil and roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 35 minutes. This slow roasting gently cooks the beans while letting the flavors meld. Then, remove the foil and roast another 10-15 minutes to crisp up the bacon. Watch closely toward the end so the bacon doesn’t burn but gets beautifully crispy.
Top Tip
I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, and I’ve learned a few things that really help get the best results. These small tweaks make the cooking process smoother and tastier.
- Use a Wire Rack: Cooking the bundles on a wire rack keeps the bacon crispy by allowing the fat to drip away instead of having the bundles sit in grease.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give each bundle some space for heat to circulate evenly, ensuring every piece crisps up just right.
- Check Early for Doneness: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking around 10 minutes after removing the foil to avoid burning the bacon.
- Brush Twice If You Like: If you want extra glaze flavor, brush the butter mixture once more halfway through roasting uncovered.
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Garnishes
I often finish these bundles with a little sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt. The parsley adds a fresh burst of color and flavor, and the sea salt enhances the bacon’s crispness and overall seasoning.
Side Dishes
This recipe makes a fantastic side for so many meals. I love pairing it with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or even a juicy steak. It also complements mashed potatoes or a light quinoa salad if you’re aiming for a balanced plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or when hosting guests, try arranging the bacon-wrapped bundles on a large platter lined with lettuce or colorful napkins for a festive touch. You can also skewer a few bundles on cocktail sticks for easy grab-and-go appetizers during parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bundles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you reheat them, the bacon might lose some crispness, but it still tastes delicious, and the beans stay tender.
Freezing
While I haven’t frozen this dish often, I’ve successfully frozen the bundles uncooked by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
To bring back that crispy bacon after refrigeration, I pop the bundles under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Just keep a close eye to prevent burning, and they taste almost as fresh as right out of the oven!
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can use frozen green beans, but make sure to thaw and dry them very well before assembling the bundles to avoid excess moisture, which can prevent the bacon from crisping up properly.
Thin-cut bacon works best because it crisps up nicely without being chewy or tough. Thick-cut bacon might need a longer cooking time and may not get as crispy.
Absolutely! You can assemble the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles a day in advance and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to roast. This makes mealtime a breeze, especially for busy days or entertaining.
Cooking the bundles on a wire rack helps fat drip away, allowing the bacon to crisp evenly. Also, roasting uncovered for the last part of cooking ensures the bacon gets golden and crunchy without steaming.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe brings together simple ingredients for a side dish that always impresses. It’s a recipe I’ve relied on for both casual dinners and special occasions because it’s fuss-free but full of flavor. I truly hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—once you try it, I bet it’ll become one of your go-to vegetable sides too.
Print
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: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Description
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans is a delicious side dish featuring fresh green beans bundled in crispy bacon, brushed with a buttery garlic brown sugar glaze, and roasted to perfection. This easy-to-make recipe combines savory and slightly sweet flavors, perfect for dinner accompaniments.
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: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place a wire rack on a large cookie sheet to prepare for roasting.
- Prepare Green Beans: Wash and dry the green beans, then trim off the ends. Gather 5 to 10 green beans and lay them on a strip of bacon. Roll the bacon tightly around the bundle and place it seam side down on the wire rack. Repeat for all green beans.
- Melt Glaze Ingredients: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until fully combined. Remove from heat.
- Brush Glaze and Season: Brush the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast Covered: Cover the bundles loosely with foil and roast in the oven for 35 minutes, allowing the beans to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Roast Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue roasting for another 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the green beans are tender.
Notes
- Fresh green beans are preferred for the best texture, but frozen green beans can be used if necessary. Avoid canned green beans as they may become mushy.
- Use thin-cut bacon to ensure it crisps well; thick-cut bacon tends to stay chewy and may not crisp properly.
- Ensure bundles are rolled tightly to keep the green beans secure during roasting.
- Brown sugar substitute keeps this recipe lower in sugar but regular brown sugar can be used if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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