Crack Green Beans (Stovetop, Oven & Crock Pot)
These crack green beans have the power to turn a green bean hater into a raving green bean fan! Smothered in a delicious sweet and savory glaze, then topped with lots of 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!
Any dish that has the word CRACK in it….you know it’s going to be good right??! These Crack Green Beans are a thing of glory!
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!
You can serve this simple dish up any day of the week, but it works particularly well on your holiday table alongside turkey, cranberry sauce, and other amazing side dishes like this old-fashioned pea salad, this amazing Italian Sausage Stuffing, or this incredibly flavorful Beef Consomme Rice!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- A delicious side dish for holiday gatherings.
- A great dish that can be easily made ahead to take to a potluck dinner.
- Finally, a veggie dish that will satisfy even the pickiest eater!
- A buttery, sweet and savory glaze + loads of crispy bacon…need I say more?!
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this delicious Crack Green Beans Recipe:
INGREDIENT NOTES
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 Worchestershire sauce, so I like having the flexibility of adding my own salt at the end, only if needed.
Bacon: You can use regular bacon (I like thick-cut) or substitute turkey bacon.
Soy Sauce: Low sodium, if possible.
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!
Step 1: Cook your 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.
Step 2: To the pan with the bacon grease, add 4 teaspoons soy sauce, butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and two teaspoons garlic powder & onion powder. Cook for 3-5 minutes until sugar is dissolved and the mixture thickens.
Step 3: Add green beans and reserved bacon. Toss well to coat in the glaze. Cook 1-2 minutes more until green beans are warmed through.
⭐️ CONFIDENCE 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 flexibiity 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 crack 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 reheating instructions above.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes! 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.
This green beans recipe is AMAZING as a holiday side dish! They are also delish alongside meat dishes such as ham, chicken, or pork chops.
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TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE
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Large Skillet: This is my go-to skillet!!
Crockpot (optional): Basic, beautiful and works perfectly!
Baking Pan: If you want to make this dish ahead or use the oven method.
TRY THESE OTHER DELICIOUS RECIPES…
I hope you love these Crack Green Beans! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Crack Green Beans (Stovetop , Oven & Crock Pot)
Ingredients
- 3 14 oz. cans of green beans, drained no salt added, if possible
- 8-10 slices bacon, chopped + 2-3 tbsp bacon grease
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- 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.
- In the same skillet with the bacon grease, over medium heat, add butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook 3-5 minutes more until the mixture has thickened into a glaze and the sugar has dissolved.
- Add drained green beans and reserved bacon and toss to coat in the glaze. Cook 1-2 minutes more, until beans are heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve green beans right away or see make-ahead instructions.
Crockpot Instructions
- Cook bacon as directed in stovetop instructions above. Add reserved bacon grease, green beans and all remaining ingredients to your crock pot. Give everything a good toss so 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 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 15-20 minutes until 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 15-20 minutes until the glaze is bubbly and beans are heated through.
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!