When it comes to holiday sides, green beans wrapped in bacon with brown sugar are a must-try. These irresistible bundles combine the savory richness of bacon with the sweetness of brown sugar for a perfect balance of flavors. They’re simple to make, yet they’ll definitely impress your guests. Whether it’s for a holiday meal or just a special dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe combines the best of both worlds: crisp-tender green beans and deliciously crispy bacon, all coated in a sweet brown sugar glaze. The bacon adds that irresistible smoky flavor, while the brown sugar balances the taste with a touch of sweetness. It’s the ultimate combination of savory and sweet that pairs perfectly with any main dish, from roast turkey to a holiday ham.
Key Ingredients for Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
- Fresh Green Beans: Bright green beans provide the perfect crunch and color, making them an ideal vegetable for wrapping with bacon.
- Bacon: Choose a good-quality bacon for the best flavor. It will become crispy in the oven, adding a wonderful texture to the green beans.
- Brown Sugar: This is the secret ingredient that gives the dish its sweet, caramelized flavor.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder adds depth and savory notes to the green beans.
Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals
One of the best things about this dish is that you can prepare it in advance. Simply assemble the bacon-wrapped green beans, refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook, and pop them in the oven when it’s time to serve. This makes them a great choice for busy hosts who want to get a head start on holiday meal prep.
Tips for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
- Don’t Overcook the Bacon: Par-cook your bacon until it’s slightly crisp, but not fully crispy. This ensures the bacon will hold together and crisp up nicely when roasting.
- Use Bacon Drippings: Don’t throw away the bacon drippings! Toss your green beans in the rendered fat before wrapping them in bacon for an extra boost of flavor.
- Customize the Glaze: Add more brown sugar for a sweeter taste, or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of spice.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare these bundles ahead of time, then store them in the fridge until you’re ready to roast them, saving you time on the big day.
Serve These Green Beans Wrapped in Bacon with Brown Sugar at Your Next Holiday Meal
These Green Beans Wrapped in Bacon with Brown Sugar are the perfect addition to any holiday table. Whether you’re preparing for a Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving feast, or a family gathering, this dish will be a crowd-pleaser. The sweet and savory combination, paired with the stunning presentation of bacon-wrapped bundles, is sure to impress your guests.
Looking for more holiday side dish ideas? Check out our other easy and delicious recipes to create a memorable meal that everyone will love!
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green beans wrapped in bacon with brown sugar
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Description
Green Beans Wrapped in Bacon with Brown Sugar are a savory, sweet holiday side dish that combines tender green beans with crispy bacon and a delicious brown sugar glaze. The perfect balance of smoky and sweet, these bundles are sure to impress your guests and become a new favorite at any special meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4–6 slices of bacon (6 recommended)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- Toothpicks
Instructions
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Par-cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook 4-6 slices of bacon over medium heat until slightly cooked but not crispy (about 5 minutes). Reserve the bacon drippings.
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Prepare the Green Beans: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Add the green beans and cook for about 3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
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Season the Green Beans: Pour the reserved bacon drippings over the green beans and toss to coat. Add 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and mix until well combined.
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Prepare the Brown Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Set aside.
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Assemble the Bundles: Take 6-8 green beans and bundle them together. Wrap a slice of bacon around each bundle and secure with a toothpick.
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Brush with Brown Sugar Mixture: Brush each bacon-wrapped green bean bundle with the brown sugar mixture.
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Roast: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the bundles on a baking sheet and roast for 20-22 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
Notes
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Par-cook the Bacon: When par-cooking the bacon, make sure it’s cooked just until it’s slightly crispy but still pliable. This ensures the bacon will crisp up properly in the oven and will wrap easily around the green beans.
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Use Bacon Drippings for Extra Flavor: Don’t discard the bacon drippings! Toss the green beans in the rendered bacon fat to add an extra layer of flavor before assembling the bundles.
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Green Beans Cooking Tip: Adding baking soda to the water when blanching the green beans helps preserve their bright green color while keeping them tender-crisp. Don’t overcook the beans; you want them firm, as they will cook more in the oven.
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Adjust the Bacon Quantity: Depending on how many bundles you make, feel free to use 6 slices of bacon instead of 4 for a richer bacon flavor.
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Make-Ahead Option: These bacon-wrapped green beans can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge. You can roast them just before serving, making them an excellent option for holiday meals or gatherings.
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Customize the Glaze: If you like a sweeter glaze, feel free to add more brown sugar to the brown sugar-water mixture. For an added twist, try sprinkling a little bit of smoked paprika or crushed red pepper flakes on the bacon before roasting for a smoky or spicy kick.
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Toothpicks: When wrapping the bacon around the green beans, make sure to secure the bundles tightly with toothpicks so they hold together during roasting. You can remove the toothpicks after cooking if you prefer.
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
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