Description

This Crack Green Beans recipe delivers a flavorful twist on a classic side dish by combining fresh green beans with crispy bacon, a savory-sweet glaze made of butter, brown sugar, honey, and soy sauce, and a blend of aromatic spices. Baked until tender and coated in a luscious sauce, these green beans make a perfect accompaniment for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

24 oz fresh green beans

Meat

8 slices bacon

Sauce and Seasonings

2 Tbsp butter (melted)
¼ cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried thyme

Instructions

Cook the Bacon: Start by frying the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until they become crispy. Once cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into small bits and set aside for later use.
Prepare the Sauce: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium or small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried thyme. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
Combine Ingredients: Place the fresh green beans into a 9×9 inch baking dish or a similar size casserole dish. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the green beans, then toss to coat them completely. Add the crispy bacon bits into the dish and mix gently to distribute them through the beans and sauce.
Bake the Green Beans: Bake the mixture in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the green beans have softened to your desired tenderness. To ensure even cooking and coating, toss the green beans once or twice during baking, approximately at 20 minutes and again at 30 minutes.
Serve: Once baked, serve the crack green beans warm. Spoon some of the remaining sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over the green beans for extra flavor and enjoy as a delicious side dish.

Notes

For softer beans, you can extend baking time by 5-10 minutes as needed.
If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content if desired.
Can be prepared ahead by assembling the dish and refrigerating before baking.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: green beans, baked green beans, crack green beans, bacon green beans, sweet and savory side dish, holiday side dish