These crack green beans have the power to turn a green bean hater into a raving green bean fan! Smothered in a delicious sweet and savory glaze, then topped with lots of bacon, this green bean recipe will be a favorite at your house! The best part? It can be made on the stovetop, in the oven, OR in your crock pot!
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Green beans are such a “vanilla” veggie, as my kids would say (AKA: BORING). However, throw in some bacon, a little butter, sugar, and some savory flavors and you have yourself one addicting green beans recipe!
You can serve this simple dish up any day of the week, but it works particularly well on your holiday table alongside turkey, cranberry sauce, and other amazing side dishes like this old-fashioned pea salad!
INGREDIENTS
3 14 oz. cans of green beans, drained no salt added, if possible
8-10 slices bacon, chopped + 2-3 tbsp bacon grease
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
STOVETOP INSTRUCTIONS
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon pieces until crisp (about 10 minutes). Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Discard all but 2-3 tablespoons of the bacon grease.
In the same skillet with the bacon grease, over medium heat, add butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook 3-5 minutes more until the mixture has thickened into a glaze and the sugar has dissolved.
Add drained green beans and reserved bacon and toss to coat in the glaze. Cook 1-2 minutes more, until beans are heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve green beans right away or see make-ahead instructions.
CROCKPOT INSTRUCTIONS
Cook bacon as directed in stovetop instructions above. Add reserved bacon grease, green beans and all remaining ingredients to your crock pot. Give everything a good toss so beans are well-coated. Cook on low 4-5 hours or on high 2-3 hours. Stir in reserved bacon and serve.
OVEN INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat over to 375°F.
Cook bacon as directed in stovetop instructions above. Add reserved bacon grease, green beans, and all remaining ingredients to a 8×8 (or similar) baking pan). Give everything a good toss so the beans are well-coated. Cover with aluminum foil and cook 15-20 minutes until glaze is thick and bubbly. Stir in reserved bacon and serve.
MAKE AHEAD
You can make these green beans a day in advance. Make the stovetop recipe above. Transfer to a baking dish, cool, then refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and reheat in the oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until the glaze is bubbly and beans are heated through.