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