Name: Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
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

There’s something irresistibly cozy about crisp, smoky bacon wrapped snugly around fresh green beans. This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe brings out a perfect harmony of savory, buttery, and slightly sweet flavors that makes it a standout side dish. Trust me, it’s well worth taking the time to make!

The image shows five bundles of green beans wrapped tightly with crispy, golden-brown bacon strips. Each bundle has about 7-10 green beans, with their slightly charred tips sticking out from both ends of the bacon wrap. The bacon looks shiny and textured with visible salt flakes on top. These bundles rest on a metal cooling rack inside a baking tray lined with a browned parchment paper that has dark spots from cooking. The edge of the tray has a crisp folded rim and a navy, white striped cloth is partly visible at the bottom left corner. The whole scene is set against a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe for countless family dinners and holiday gatherings, and it never fails to impress. It’s a total crowd-pleaser that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy!

Perfect Flavor Combo: The mix of smoky bacon, tender green beans, and a buttery glaze hits every crave-worthy note.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these bundles in advance, which means stress-free entertaining.
Customizable: You can easily tweak the seasoning or swap ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs.
Impressive Presentation: These bundles look so elegant on the plate, they’re perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.

The image shows several bundles of green beans tied tightly with crispy, golden brown bacon strips. Each bundle has bright green beans with slightly charred tips that peek out from either end of the bacon wrap. The bacon looks shiny and crunchy with a sprinkling of coarse white sea salt on top. The bundles rest on a metal rack with a white marbled surface underneath. The lighting highlights the texture of the bacon and the fresh look of the green beans. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in balancing flavor and texture here. Freshness really counts, especially with the green beans, to keep the bundles crisp-tender after roasting. Also, using a brown sugar substitute gives just the right hint of sweetness without overwhelming.

Flat lay of fresh bright green beans with trimmed ends, six raw thin-cut bacon slices with marbled pink and white fat, a small white ceramic bowl of golden melted butter, a small white bowl filled with light brown granulated brown sugar substitute, a small white bowl of fine off-white garlic powder, a small white bowl containing coarse white salt crystals, and a small white bowl of whole black peppercorns, all perfectly arranged in balanced symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh Green Beans: Choose crisp, bright green beans with no blemishes; they become perfectly tender but still have a nice snap.
Bacon: Thin-cut is best since it crisps up nicely wrapping the beans without needing too much cooking time.
Butter: Adds richness and helps carry the flavors of the glaze over the bundle.
Brown Sugar Substitute: Provides subtle sweetness and caramelization without packing on extra sugar.
Garlic Powder: A savory boost that complements both the bacon and green beans beautifully.
Salt and Pepper: Just enough seasoning to highlight flavors without overpowering the dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe is how approachable it is to tweak according to what you love. I usually stick to the classic glaze, but I’ve experimented a bit!

Variation: Sometimes I add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to the buttery glaze for a subtle spicy kick — it’s fantastic when you want a little extra heat.
Vegetarian Twist: While bacon is key here, switching to turkey bacon works well if you want something leaner, though the flavor is a bit milder.
Seasonal Change: Tossing in some chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary before roasting makes a nice seasonal touch, especially around holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Green Beans

Start by washing and thoroughly drying your green beans — moisture is the enemy of crisp bacon! Trim the ends off each bean for a clean bite. I like to group about 5 to 10 beans per bundle depending on their thickness, so each bundle feels substantial but still easy to roll.

Step 2: Wrap and Arrange

Lay one slice of bacon flat and place your green bean bundle at one end. Roll it up tightly, making sure the seam is tucked underneath so it doesn’t unravel while baking. Set the bundles seam side down on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet — this keeps the bacon crispy by letting hot air circulate all around.

Step 3: Make the Glaze and Coat

Melt butter gently in a small saucepan, then stir in your brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and brush this glaze generously over the tops of each bacon bundle. Finish with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper to season.

Step 4: Roast to Perfection

Cover the baking sheet with foil to trap moisture and roast your bundles at 400°F (about 200°C) for 35 minutes. This ensures the green beans become tender. Then, remove the foil and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes until the bacon crisps up beautifully. Keep an eye out—bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt quickly!

Top Tip

After making this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe many times, I’ve picked up a few pointers to help you nail it on your first try. They really make a difference between good and unforgettable.

Choose Thin-Cut Bacon: Thicker bacon tends to stay chewy instead of crisping properly. Thin slices bake more evenly and get that satisfying crunch that everyone loves.
Use a Wire Rack: Placing bundles on a rack rather than baking directly on a sheet prevents sogginess—air circulates all around, crisping bacon evenly.
Don’t Skip the Butter Glaze: Brushing the buttery, garlicky glaze ensures the green beans soak up flavor and the bacon caramelizes beautifully.
Watch the Last 10 Minutes: Removing the foil before the final roasting stage is key. But keep an eye on the bacon—the difference between perfectly crispy and burnt can be just a few minutes.

How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe

bacon wrapped green beans - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to finish these bundles with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and a little flaky sea salt right after they come out of the oven—it adds a lovely texture contrast. Occasionally, I’ll add chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, which pairs nicely with the smoky bacon.

Side Dishes

This recipe is my go-to side for hearty mains like roast chicken, grilled steak, or holiday ham. It also goes surprisingly well beside creamy mashed potatoes or a simple quinoa salad, rounding out the plate with a savory crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I sometimes arrange the bacon-wrapped bundles standing upright on a rimmed platter, secured with colorful toothpicks. It doubles as a gorgeous appetizer display, and your guests love grabbing a bundle or two!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover bacon wrapped green beans store really well wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I usually reheat them gently in the oven to maintain crispness rather than the microwave, which can make bacon chewy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these once after assembling but before baking. Just wrap the bundles tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to a month. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. It’s a real lifesaver for prepping ahead of big dinners.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes on a wire rack. This revives crispiness while warming the beans through. Avoid microwaving for best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen green beans for this recipe?

You can use frozen green beans if you’re in a pinch, but fresh beans work best for maintaining that perfect tender-crisp texture. If using frozen, make sure to thaw and pat them dry thoroughly before wrapping to avoid soggy bacon.

What type of bacon works best for this recipe?

Thin-cut bacon is ideal because it crisps nicely within the cooking time. Thick-cut bacon can be chewy and might take longer to cook through, which can overcook the green beans.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! The ingredients listed—bacon, green beans, butter, spices—are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your bacon brand to ensure no gluten-containing additives.

How do I prevent the bacon from unrolling during baking?

Rolling the bacon bundles with the seam side down on a wire rack helps them stay together. You can also use a toothpick to secure the ends, but usually, the cooking process tightens them up nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe has become my little secret for impressing guests and bringing a smile to the dinner table. It’s easy enough to make on a weekday but special enough for celebrations. I hope you find it just as rewarding to prepare and enjoy as I do—go ahead, give it a try and make some happy moments in your kitchen!