There’s something truly irresistible about savory bacon hugging crisp green beans, with a sweet garlic butter glaze tying everything together. This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe is one of those dishes that effortlessly elevates any meal — trust me, it’s worth trying at least once to see how a simple combo can become an all-time favorite.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, whenever I bring out this bacon wrapped green beans dish, it disappears faster than I can say “pass the napkins.” The combination of crisp-tender beans wrapped in smoky bacon with just a hint of sweet garlic butter glaze really makes it stand out. Plus, it’s fairly straightforward to pull off, even on a busy night.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The smoky bacon and buttery, garlicky glaze perfectly complement fresh green beans without overpowering.
- Easy to Make Ahead: You can prepare the bundles in advance, making it a great side for gatherings.
- Simple Yet Impressive: Looks fancy but is super approachable – your guests will think you slaved over it!
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Works as a weeknight treat or a special holiday side – whenever you want a pop of flavor and ease.
Ingredients & Why They Work
These ingredients are simple, but they really complement each other. Fresh green beans add that satisfying crunch and fresh flavor, while bacon brings smoky richness. The butter, brown sugar substitute, and garlic powder tie it all together with just the right touch of sweetness and savory depth.
- Fresh Green Beans: Look for firm, vibrant beans with no blemishes; fresh beans roast up perfectly tender-crisp.
- Bacon Slices: Thin cut works best here because it crisps up nicely without overwhelming the beans.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps meld the seasonings to the bacon and beans beautifully.
- Brown Sugar Substitute: Provides gentle sweetness without making the dish too sugary; I use it to keep flavors balanced.
- Garlic Powder: This gives a warm, savory kick that pairs beautifully with bacon and butter.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, but remember bacon is already salty, so go easy at first.
Make It Your Way
I love how easy it is to tweak this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe to suit your mood or occasion. Whether you want it spicier, sweeter, or a little more herby, you can make subtle changes that give the dish your own personal touch.
- Variation: I sometimes sprinkle red pepper flakes on the bundles before roasting for a gentle heat kick — it wakes up the flavors beautifully!
- Substitution: If you want a sugar-free approach, try a pinch of cinnamon or smoked paprika to add complexity without sweetness.
- Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, swap butter with olive oil – the flavor won’t be quite the same but still delicious!
- Seasonal additions: Toss a little lemon zest on top after baking for a refreshing burst, especially in spring and summer.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Bundle Your Green Beans
First, preheat your oven to 400°F and set up a wire rack on a large baking sheet. This helps the bacon crisp all around instead of steaming on the pan. While the oven warms, give your green beans a good wash and dry them thoroughly—wet beans can make bacon soggy. Snap or trim off the ends, then grab about 5 to 10 beans per bundle. Lay them down on a strip of bacon and roll it up tightly, seam side down on the rack. I find that rolling them snug but not squished keeps the beans cooking perfectly.
Step 2: Prepare the Glaze and Brush It On
Next, melt the butter gently on the stove and stir in the brown sugar substitute and garlic powder. Once it’s combined and fragrant, take it off the heat and use a pastry brush to coat every bacon bundle generously. This step is key – it creates that dreamy balance of sweet and savory on top. Don’t forget a little salt and pepper sprinkle, but keep it moderate since the bacon already brings saltiness.
Step 3: Roast Covered, Then Crispy
Cover your pan loosely with foil to trap steam and roast for about 35 minutes. This allows the beans to soften nicely inside without the bacon burning too soon. After that, remove the foil and roast for another 10-15 minutes until the bacon crisps up and the beans are tender but still have some bite. Watch closely towards the end so it doesn’t overcook — crispy bacon is wonderful, but burnt is a bummer.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe many times over, a few little tricks have helped make it foolproof – and hopefully they’ll help you too.
- Wire Rack Cooking: Using a wire rack is a game-changer because it lets the bacon crisp evenly without swimming in fat.
- Pat Dry Your Beans: Any moisture on the beans will steam the bacon, so dry them well after washing.
- Seal the Bundle Seam: Place the bacon seam side down on the rack to keep bundles intact during cooking.
- Watch Your Oven: Oven temps can vary; if bacon crisps too quickly, lower the heat a bit and extend cooking time to tenderize green beans without burn.
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a fan of finishing these with a light sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives. It adds a little pop of color and freshness, balancing the rich bacon beautifully. Sometimes I also add a quick squeeze of lemon juice right before serving to brighten the whole dish.
Side Dishes
These bundles pair perfectly with hearty main dishes like roast chicken, grilled steak, or a simple baked salmon. I especially like serving them alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a buttery dinner roll to soak up any leftover glaze.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or fancy dinners, arrange them vertically on a platter like little bundles of joy! You can tie small kitchen twine bows around each for that extra festive look. I’ve also served them threaded on skewers for easy passing at parties—super cute and practical.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they keep well for about 3-4 days. When reheating, I like to pop them back in the oven on a baking rack to restore the crispiness rather than just microwaving, which can make the bacon sticky.
Freezing
Freezing works, but I recommend freezing the green bean bundles before baking. Arrange the rolled up bundles on a tray, freeze until solid, transfer to a freezer bag, and bake from frozen by adding a few extra minutes. The texture might soften a bit, but it’s still tasty and convenient.
Reheating
The best trick I’ve found is reheating leftovers in the oven at about 350°F for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack to revive that crisp bacon crust and warm the beans through gently—no soggy bacon here!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Frozen green beans can work in a pinch, but fresh green beans yield the best texture, especially for this recipe. If using frozen, thaw and pat them dry thoroughly before wrapping to avoid sogginess.
Thin sliced bacon works best because it crisps up nicely without leaving the beans undercooked or chewy. Thick cut bacon does not crisp as easily and might take longer to cook through.
Absolutely! You can assemble the green bean bundles and brush them with the glaze a few hours ahead or even the day before. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate until ready to roast.
Cover the baking sheet loosely with foil for the first part of baking to let the beans steam and cook through, then remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes to crisp the bacon without burning. Keep an eye on it during this stage to avoid overcooking.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen – it’s that perfect mix of simplicity and “wow” factor that pulls people in. Whether you’re cooking for family, entertaining friends, or just treating yourself, it’s hard not to enjoy this tasty, crispy, buttery bundle. Give it a try next time you want to impress without stressing – I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!
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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
Delicious bacon wrapped green beans baked to perfection with a flavorful butter and brown sugar glaze, making a savory and slightly sweet side dish perfect for dinner gatherings or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 6 slices bacon
- 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. Place a wire rack on a large cookie sheet to prepare for roasting.
- Prepare Green Beans: Wash and dry the green beans thoroughly. Cut off the ends of the green beans. Take 5 to 10 green beans and lay them out on a strip of bacon. Roll the bacon up tightly around the green bean bundle and place it seam side down on the wire rack. Repeat this process with the remaining green beans and bacon slices.
- Make Glaze: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar substitute and garlic powder, stirring until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Apply Glaze: Using a brush, evenly coat the tops of each bacon-wrapped green bean bundle with the butter and brown sugar glaze. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast Covered: Cover the entire cookie sheet with foil to prevent drying. Roast in the preheated oven for 35 minutes to infuse flavors and cook the beans.
- Crisp Bacon: 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 work best for this recipe to ensure crisp texture; frozen green beans can be used but may be less firm.
- Avoid using canned green beans as they tend to become mushy when cooked this way.
- Thin-cut bacon is preferred for optimal crispiness; thick-cut bacon may not crisp properly in the given roasting time.
- Be sure to dry green beans thoroughly before wrapping to prevent sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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