Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are an elegant yet easy side dish that pairs crispy, smoky bacon with tender green beans. The combination of savory bacon and slightly sweet, caramelized green beans makes this a perfect dish for holidays, dinner parties, or even weeknight meals.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A simple yet flavorful side dish that complements any meal.
- The bacon adds a delicious smoky, salty contrast to the fresh green beans.
- Perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
- Can be prepped ahead for easy entertaining.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Fresh green beans, trimmed
- Bacon strips
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Brown sugar
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Balsamic glaze for drizzling
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blanch the Green Beans: Boil green beans for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender. Drain and immediately transfer to ice water to stop the cooking process. Pat dry.
- Season the Green Beans: Toss the green beans with olive oil or melted butter, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Wrap with Bacon: Bundle about 5-7 green beans together and wrap them with a strip of bacon. Place the bundles seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and cooked through.
- Optional: Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving for an extra layer of flavor.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8 bundles
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for heat.
- Maple Glaze: Swap brown sugar for maple syrup to enhance the sweetness.
- Cheesy Version: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the bundles before serving.
- Turkey Bacon Alternative: Use turkey bacon for a leaner option.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or in an air fryer for a crispy texture.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture of the green beans may become mushy when thawed.
FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the bundles a day in advance and refrigerate them until ready to bake.
2. Do I have to blanch the green beans?
Blanching helps keep the beans vibrant and tender, but you can skip this step if you prefer a firmer texture.
3. Can I use canned or frozen green beans?
Fresh green beans work best, but you can use frozen ones if thawed and patted dry. Canned green beans are too soft for this recipe.
4. What type of bacon works best?
Thin or regular-cut bacon works best because it crisps up well without overcooking the green beans.
5. Can I cook these on the stovetop instead?
Yes! Cook over medium heat in a skillet, turning frequently, until the bacon is crisp.
6. How do I make the bacon extra crispy?
Bake at a higher temperature (425°F) for a few extra minutes or broil for the last 1-2 minutes.
7. Can I add other seasonings?
Absolutely! Try smoked paprika, onion powder, or a touch of honey for extra flavor.
8. What main dishes pair well with this side?
These go great with steak, roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or even grilled fish.
9. Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! Cook at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes, checking frequently for doneness.
10. How do I prevent the bacon from unwrapping?
Place the bundles seam-side down on the baking sheet or secure with toothpicks.
Conclusion
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are a simple yet delicious side dish that combines crisp bacon with tender, seasoned green beans. Whether you’re serving them for a holiday meal or a casual dinner, they’re sure to impress. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors!
Print
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are an easy and elegant side dish perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or weeknight meals! Crisp-tender green beans are wrapped in smoky bacon, glazed with a sweet and savory brown sugar butter sauce, and roasted to perfection. They’re deliciously caramelized, slightly crispy, and absolutely irresistible!
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 8 slices bacon, cut in half
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Green Beans & Bacon:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 3 minutes, then drain and immediately transfer them to an ice water bath to stop cooking. Pat dry.
- Cut bacon slices in half to create shorter strips.
Assemble & Bake:
- Wrap 6–8 green beans with a half-slice of bacon and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining green beans.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Brush the butter mixture over each bacon-wrapped bundle.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
- If desired, broil for 1–2 minutes for extra crispiness.
Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!
Notes
- Use thin-cut bacon for quicker and crispier cooking.
- Make ahead: Assemble the bundles a few hours before baking and store them in the fridge.
- Alternative sweeteners: Swap brown sugar for maple syrup or honey for a different flavor.
- Crispier bacon tip: Partially cook the bacon before wrapping the green beans to ensure crispiness.