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
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 delicious side dish with an easy weeknight meal, but it’s also the perfect side dish 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!
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need the following simple 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 Worcestershire 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. 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!
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 cooked bacon pieces. Toss well to coat in the glaze. Cook 10-15 minutes more until green beans are warmed through.
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.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Yes, although it takes a bit more cooking time. 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 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, cornish hens, baked chicken, or pork chops.
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 of bacon, cut into small pieces + 2-3 tbsp 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. Cook 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.
Crockpot Instructions
- Cook 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.
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!