Description
Crack Green Beans: an irresistible, 5-ingredient side dish featuring glossy, tender green beans coated in a sweet-savory bacon glaze. Brown sugar, soy sauce, and melted butter create a rich glaze that clings to every bean, while turkey bacon adds smoky crunch. Baked until caramelized and glossy, this easy dish shines at weeknight dinners or holiday tables and adapts for make-ahead menus, crowd-pleasing and freezer-friendly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs fresh green beans (trimmed)
- 4 slices turkey bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- ¼ cup melted butter
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Steam or boil the green beans for 5–6 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and place in the baking dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pour the sauce over the green beans and toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle cooked, crumbled turkey bacon over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway through so the beans soak up all that delicious glaze.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen green beans.
- For a milder glaze, reduce brown sugar to 1/4 cup.
- If you prefer extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Make ahead: assemble and refrigerate up to 1 day; bake before serving.
- Leftovers refrigerate 3–4 days; reheat gently for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 350-600 mg
- Fat: 10-12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3-5 g
- Trans Fat: 0-1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3-4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Crack Green Beans, green beans recipe, bacon glaze, 5-ingredient side, Christmas crack green beans, turkey bacon, brown sugar, soy sauce, butter