Ordinary green beans become extra-special and positively delicious when they're wrapped in crispy bacon and glazed with buttery brown sugar in these Bacon Green Bean Bundles with Brown Sugar Glaze!
Bacon makes everything better. I've said it before because, quite frankly, it's true.
I enjoy me some nice fresh green beans regardless of preparation, but this recipe elevates them from good to amazing. Not only do you have a crispy little bacon jacket, but you also have a buttery, garlicky, brown sugary glaze to counter that salty bacon. I'm telling you, these little babies will change the way you think about green beans.
I decided to share this recipe today because, with the holidays approaching, there are plenty of imminent opportunities for side dishes that are just a tad more special than your everyday fare. Now I realize that some would call it sacrilege to even consider substituting a Thanksgiving preparation of green beans other than cream-of-soupy, crispy onion-topped green bean casserole. And I am not here today to suggest such. Rather, I offer these green bean bundles as a nifty alternative if you're simply looking for something a little bit different this year.
However, if tradition still dictates a green bean casserole for your family's Thanksgiving spread, these green bean bundles would make a lovely addition to Christmas dinner instead. Or heck, they'd be great for Easter. Or on any old Tuesday.
Bottom line? These bacon-wrapped green bean bundles look and taste far fancier than the few minutes it takes to throw them together, and your family or your dinner guests will enjoy them regardless of the occasion. After all, that's the magic of bacon...am I right?
Bacon Green Bean Bundles with Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe
Bacon Green Bean Bundles with Brown Sugar Glaze
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 pound green beans, washed and trimmed
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with heavy foil. Lay bacon strips on pan without overlapping. Bake for 10 minutes or until bacon is just starting to brown on the edges while remaining underdone and pliable. Drain bacon on a plate lined with paper towels and, once cool, cut each slice in half. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- While bacon cooks, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch green beans by plunging them into the boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer beans to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- In a small pot, melt the butter. Mix in salt, garlic powder, and brown sugar until well blended.
- To assemble bundles, lay 8 to 12 beans in a pile (or less, depending on the thickness of your beans). Take a half piece of bacon and wrap it around the top of the green bean bundle, tucking the ends underneath. Lay the bundle on a baking sheet with the bacon seam-side down. Repeat with all green beans.
- Using a spoon, evenly drizzle the butter/sugar mixture over each green bean bundle. Season with freshly cracked black pepper, to taste.
- Roast at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until bacon is crisp and cooked through. Allow to rest on the baking pan for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- My green beans were fairly thin (the French haricort vert variety), and 10 per bundle worked out perfectly.
- Since a half slice of bacon will not wrap around the green beans more than once, take care that your bundles don't fall apart when you transfer them from the baking sheet. I like to grip each bundle firmly with tongs so that it stays together.
- If you prefer, you may brush on the butter/sugar glaze with a pastry brush, as opposed to using a spoon.
Adapted from Williams Sonoma.
More Tasty Holiday Sides
- Savory Herb & Cheese Monkey Bread
- Slow Cooker Creamy Cheesy Corn
- Holiday Honeycrisp Salad
- Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Michelle
Made these bundles for Christmas dinner. Omgeeeee delicious!! They looked festive and every stack was gobbled up. I would not have thought of adding the brown sugar Thank you so much for this delicious, delicious recipe! Just the touch of extra I needed this year!
Megan
what is the serving size for this recipe?
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Hi Megan! The yield is shown in the top left corner of the recipe...8 servings. The recipe calls for 8 pieces of bacon that get cut in half, which produces a total of 16 bundles. So I consider a serving to be two green bean bundles, but it honestly depends on everyone's appetite and how many other side dishes you're serving. Hope that helps! 🙂
Sara
Hi! Do you think these could be refrigerated before the final roasting (so after the beans are blanched and wrapped)? I am bringing them for a dinner and was hoping to put them in the oven once I'm there!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I haven't tried that, Sara, but I don't see why it wouldn't work! I'd probably just make sure they have a chance to come to room temperature a bit before popping them in the oven. 🙂 Good luck!
Sharon
Went to a party where these Green Bean Bundles were served as an appetizer. The beans were cut in half and fewer per bundle. Perfect bite sized pieces. If you don't try these you're missing a treat.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yum, Sharon...these bundles are delicious as an appetizer! So happy they were a hit! 🙂
Breanna Lattanzie
Why were my beans crunchy?
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I'm really not sure, Breanna. 🙁 If you blanched them for a few minutes and then roasted them for almost half an hour, they should have ended up pretty tender. Were they particularly large/thick beans? If not, I'm not really sure what could have happened. I'm sorry that they didn't turn out as tender as you had hoped!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
This is now on my menu for Thanksgiving ... thank you 🙂
Samantha at Five Heart Home
You are so very welcome, Brenda! I hope this recipe is a hit with your family!
Julie W
These are seriously the BEST green beans we've ever had! My husband, a notorious veggie-hater, declared this the ONLY way to eat them from now on. He'd also like me to do some bacon-wrapped asparagus with this glaze. I took a few to a small dinner party last week, and everyone raved about them!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Your comment made my day, Julie...I love hearing that something I shared here was so enthusiastically received! I haven't tried this idea with asparagus yet but it sounds like a divine combination. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your sweet words, and I hope y'all enjoy this recipe for many years to come! 🙂
Kathy
These look delicious. As you said the magic of bacon! Great photography too. I am glad I found this as I will be adding it to the Thanksgiving menu. Thanks for sharing
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Bacon really is magic, isn't it, Kathy? 😉 Thanks so much for the kind comment. I hope this is a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving dinner, and I really appreciate you stopping by!
Linda
These are awesome!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks so much, Linda! I really appreciate you stopping by and letting me know. Hope you have a great day... 🙂
Heather
this is my favorite way to eat beans 🙂
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Mine, too, Heather! 😉
Krista
Um.. heck yes it does! Green beans are a must have at a holiday meal, and this is fun fresh take on the plain all green been casserole! 🙂 Great recipe girl!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thank you, Krista! I love green beans, but especially like this. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by!
Amy@Little Dairy on the Prairie
I agree! You can't go wrong with bacon, or brown sugar! These are so pretty and look equally as tasty! I'm pinning this to make during the Holidays!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks so much, Amy! They're on our holiday menu as well... 🙂 I hope your family enjoys them! I appreciate you stopping by!
Britni
Everything is better with bacon and these look delicious. Thanks!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks so much, Britni! This is such a fun, yummy way to eat green beans...even my kids don't fight eating their veggies when brown sugar and bacon are involved. 😉 Hope you enjoy them as much as we do...thanks for stopping by!
Joy @ Yesterfood
Samantha, these little bundles of beans are sweet, bacon-y, works of art! Your photography is stunning.
Love, Joy
Samantha at Five Heart Home
You are so sweet, Joy...thank you for the kind words! I hope you enjoy them...they taste even better than they look! 😉
Shelley
These look & sound pretty incredible ! Saved the recipe, thank you !
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I hope you enjoy them, Shelley! Thanks for stopping by!
Mindi
Seriously?!! These look sooooo good! Pinning!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks, Mindi! This is definitely one of my favorite ways to eat green beans. 🙂 I really appreciate the pin!