Crack Green Beans (Stovetop, Oven & Crock Pot)
These crack green beans have the power to turn green bean haters into raving green bean fans! Smothered in a delicious sweet and savory sauce, then topped with lots of crispy 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!
What readers are saying...
“Yummy! This is my (and my family’s) favorite way of eating green beans! They are so flavorful and delicious and go with practically everything!”
– MICHELLE
What makes these green beans so special?
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! These green beans will have your holiday guests raving but they are easy and quick enough to make any day of the week!
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need the following simple ingredients to make this delicious crack green beans recipe:
INGREDIENT NOTES & SUBSTITUTIONS
Canned green beans: Whole-cut green beans work best. Preferably, the kind with no salt added. You will be adding other salty ingredients such as soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, so I like having the flexibility of adding my own salt at the end, only if needed. Note: See recipe below for preparing this recipe with fresh green beans.
Bacon: You can use regular bacon (I like thick-cut) or substitute turkey bacon.
Soy sauce: Low sodium, if possible. You can also substitute coconut aminos.
HOW TO MAKE CRACK GREEN BEANS: STEP BY STEP
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients will be in the recipe card below!
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE WITH FRESH GREEN BEANS
- Oven method: This method will yield super soft, tender beans, closer to the texture of canned green beans. Prepare the bacon and sauce just as you would for the stovetop recipe. Place fresh cut green beans in a casserole dish. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and give it a good stir so the beans are coated.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until beans reach your desired tenderness. Give them a good stir once or twice during baking so the beans are totally coated in the sauce. - Stovetop/blanching method: This method will yield more crisp, fresher-tasting green beans. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. Drain them well, then prepare the recipe and replace the canned beans with your homemade blanched green beans!
Casey’s Top Tip: Use low/no sodium ingredients in this recipe when you can (such as green beans and soy sauce). It’s nice to have the flexibility of adding your own salt at the end, only if needed.
STORAGE & REHEATING
- Storage: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat green beans in a pan over medium heat until warmed through and glaze is bubbly.
- Freezing: Cool completely. Then transfer your green beans to a freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 6 months. When you are ready to enjoy these green beans again, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Then, follow the reheating instructions above.
How to Serve
- Fall & winter meals and holidays: These green beans are the ultimate holiday side dish! Serve alongside roast turkey, glazed ham, prime rib, or pot roast.
- Potluck or make ahead side dish: Prepare the green beans in the slow cooker and keep them warm with the lid slightly ajar so the beans don’t get too soft.
- Wine paring: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or lightly oaked Chardonnay balances the sweetness and cuts through the rich bacon. A lighter red wine such a Pinot Noir also pairs perfectly!
Your questioned answered
RELATED…
If you need more delicious holiday side dishes that pair well with these crack green beans, try this Italian sausage stuffing, cheesy broccoli au gratin, cranberry sauce, a fresh salad for a crowd!
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Thank you! ~ Casey
Crack Green Beans (Stovetop, Oven & Crock Pot)
Ingredients
- 3 14 oz. cans of green beans, drained WELL! no salt added, if possible (See notes below to prepare with fresh green beans)
- 8-10 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces + 2-3 tbsp. of reserved bacon grease
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar light brown sugar or dark brown sugar work just fine
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- Cook bacon: 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.
- Make the sauce/glaze: In the same skillet with the bacon grease, over medium heat, add butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Increase heat to medium high and simmer 3-5 minutes more, stirring often, until the mixture has thickened into a glaze and the sugar has dissolved.
- Add & finish: Add the drained green beans and reserved bacon and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook 10-15 minutes more – the sauce will thicken more as it cooks. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve green beans right away or see make-ahead instructions.Note: If your sauce is not thickening enough, it's probably because the green beans still had a bit of excess water on them. No fear! You can try one of two things. First, you can try turning up the heat a bit and simmering the beans for 5-10 minutes more. If that doesn't work, cool a few tablespoons of the sauce. Then whisk in 1/2 tsp. of cornstarch. Add the cornstarch slurry back into the green beans and cook for another 5 minutes.
Crockpot Instructions
- Cook the bacon as directed in stovetop instructions above. Add reserved bacon grease, green beans, and all remaining ingredients (except the cooked bacon) to your crock pot. Give everything a good toss so the 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 (except the cooked bacon) 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 at 375°F 20-25 minutes until the 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 20-25 minutes until the glaze is bubbly and beans are heated through.
Notes
How to make this recipe with fresh green beans
-
- Oven method: This method will yield super soft, tender beans, closer to the texture of canned green beans. Prepare the bacon and sauce just as you would for the stovetop recipe. Place fresh cut green beans in a casserole dish. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and give it a good stir so the beans are coated. Bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes, or until beans reach your desired tenderness. Give them a good stir once or twice during baking so the beans are totally coated in the sauce.
-
- Stovetop/blanching method: This method will yield more crisp, fresher-tasting green beans. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. Drain them well, then prepare the recipe and replace the canned beans with your homemade blanched green beans!
How do you make this recipe with fresh beans in a crockpot?
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. Drain them well, then prepare the recipe and replace the canned beans with your homemade blanched green beans! **Just follow the crockpot instructions in the recipe card from here 🙂 Enjoy! XO ~ Casey
I can’t wait to try this reciepe!
This green beans are perfect for the holiday table BUTTTT they are so quick they are easy enough for everyday!! You will love them! XO ~ Casey
Looking forward to making these for Christmas! Any thoughts on reducing the sugar at all? I’d like to, but if it will significantly change it, or make it not good, I certainly won’t!
Hi Kim! You can absolutely reduce the sugar to taste! You can even use a little maple syrup or honey if you prefer! Let us know how it turns out. Merry Christmas! XO ~ Casey
If coming in a crock pot, does the glaze need to be made prior to adding to the crock pot?
Hi Dan! No, jut follow the crockpot instructions as written in the recipe card! So easy! XO ~ Casey
can I double the recipe in the crockpot recipe and if so do I have to change the cook time?
Absolutely! You may have a add a bit of time, but not much. You can use the warm setting on the crockpot and leave it until you’re ready to eat–it’s really not a fussy recipe! XO ~ Casey
Thank you!
How would I do this in the crock pot?
Crockpot directions are on the recipe card.
Love these beans
Can you use fresh green beans in this recipe?
Yes! You can use fresh or frozen. Here is how:
Frozen Green Beans: Prepare the recipe as written. Just note that the beans will need extra cooking time since they are chilled.
Fresh Green Beans: Steam fresh green beans first, until they are to your desired crispness. Then, prepare the recipe as written.
Yummy! This is my (and my family’s) favorite way of eating green beans! They are so flavorful and delicious and go with practically everything!
The best way to make green beans! This is how my husband’s side of the family always does it
Canned green beans need lots of flavors and this recipe does it. The bacon and brown sugar mixed with the beans makes this dish delicious!
Bacon and brown sugar is truly the perfect combination! These were delicious!
I could not believe canned beans can taste so good! All that salty goodness – soy, Worcester sauce and bacon! Will definitely make these again!
This was so tasty and comforting! Can’t wait to make again!
Love green beans and thanks for sharing this recipe. I have something new to try.
You had me at sweet and savory glaze, and topped with lots of bacon! My family is going to go crazy for these green beans.
Omg these green beans were so addicting and delicious!! We finished the entire thing as a side dish for dinner tonight!