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Crack Green Beans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 73 reviews

Crack Green Beans is a sweet and savory side dish featuring tender green beans baked in a rich glaze of butter, brown sugar, crispy bacon, and soy sauce. This irresistible recipe delivers a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser for holidays or weeknight dinners alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Green Beans

  • 5 cans (14.5 oz each) cut green beans, drained

Bacon

  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Glaze

  • ⅔ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or coat it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Crumble when cooled and set aside, reserving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan.
  3. Make the Glaze: To the skillet with reserved bacon grease, add melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir over low heat until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and the butter has fully melted, creating a rich glaze.
  4. Prepare Green Beans: If using canned green beans, ensure they are thoroughly drained and patted dry. For fresh green beans, trim ends and blanch in boiling salted water for 3–4 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well.
  5. Assemble the Dish: Place the green beans evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the glaze over them, tossing gently or stirring to coat all beans evenly. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top, gently pressing it into the glaze to help it adhere.
  6. Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25–40 minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens around the edges, and the bacon caramelizes slightly. For extra crispy bacon bits, broil the dish for the final 2–3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
  7. Serve: Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the glaze to thicken fully. Serve warm as a flavorful side dish complementing roasted chicken, steak, ham, or turkey.

Notes

  • You can assemble the dish a day ahead and refrigerate; add 5–10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
  • For frozen green beans, thaw completely and pat dry to avoid watery glaze.
  • Reduce brown sugar to ¼ cup and increase soy sauce if a less sweet flavor is preferred.
  • To make it vegetarian, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or vegetarian bacon bits for smokiness.
  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the glaze for heat.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator; avoid freezing as texture deteriorates.

Keywords: Crack Green Beans, baked green beans, sweet and savory side dish, bacon green beans, holiday side dish

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/crack-green-beans-recipe/