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!
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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.
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.
- 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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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: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious bacon wrapped green beans roasted to perfection with a buttery garlic glaze, perfect as a savory side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Green Beans and Bacon
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 6 slices bacon
Glaze
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place a wire rack on a large cookie sheet to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Prepare green beans and bacon bundles: Wash and dry the green beans, then trim off the ends. Take 5 to 10 green beans and lay them on a strip of bacon. Roll the bacon around the green bean bundle and place it seam side down on the wire rack. Repeat until all green beans are wrapped.
- Make the glaze: Melt the butter in a saucepan over the stove. Stir in brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until well combined. Remove from heat.
- Apply the glaze: Brush the melted butter mixture over the tops of the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast covered: Cover the bundles with foil and roast in the preheated oven for 35 minutes to allow the beans to cook through.
- Finish roasting uncovered: Remove the foil and continue roasting for an additional 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and green beans are tender.
Notes
- Fresh green beans are preferred for the best texture, but frozen green beans can be used as an alternative. Avoid canned green beans as they may become too mushy.
- Using thin cut bacon helps achieve a crispy texture; thick cut bacon tends to be less crispy in this recipe.
- Make sure to dry the green beans thoroughly to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust the amount of garlic powder and brown sugar substitute to your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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