Green Bean Bundles are wrapped in crispy bacon and brushed with a brown sugar glaze, turning an ordinary veggie into a savory-sweet, extra-special side dish that's worthy of holidays and special occasions!
1poundlong, thin green beans (French green beans/haricots verts)washed and trimmed
4tablespoons(½ stick) butter
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoongarlic powder
3tablespoonspacked brown sugar
Freshly ground 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 the bacon cooks, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch the green beans by plunging them into the boiling water for 3 minutes, draining, and then immediately transferring to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
In a small pot set over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Mix in the salt, garlic powder, and brown sugar until well blended.
To assemble Green Bean Bundles, lay 8 to 12 beans in a pile. 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 of the green beans.
Using a spoon, evenly drizzle the butter/brown sugar mixture over each green bean bundle. Season with freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Roast at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and cooked through. Allow to rest on the baking pan for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
If your green beans are thin, about 10 per bundle should work out perfectly.
If your green beans are thick, less will fit per bundle and you will want to blanch them for 1 minute extra.
Your bacon should be regular thickness (not thick-cut), and the strips should be uniform in width from one end to the other. If the bacon has a skinny end, that half piece won't be substantial enough to hold the green beans together.
Since half a piece 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 while lifting the underside with a spatula 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.
This recipe makes 16 Green Bean Bundles (2 bundles per serving for the nutrition calculations).
MAKE-AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS:
Make the brown sugar glaze as directed and transfer to a glass measuring cup (or microwave-safe bowl). Cover and refrigerate.
Assemble the Green Bean Bundles as directed. Arrange on a baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to two days.
When ready to bake, remove the baking sheet and glaze from the fridge to come to room temperature while the oven preheats.
Reheat the measuring cup/bowl of glaze in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until the glaze is warm and stirrable.
Spoon on the glaze and bake the Green Bean Bundles as directed.