Description
This crack green beans recipe is a sweet-savory Southern side dish that transforms humble canned green beans into a caramelized, bacon-packed favorite. With brown sugar, soy sauce, butter, and crispy bacon, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—perfect for weeknight dinners or the holiday table.
Ingredients
5 cans (14.5 oz) canned green beans, drained well
10 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy
½ cup brown sugar (dark preferred)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic)
1 tbsp reserved bacon grease (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
Cook the Bacon
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp. Drain and crumble. Save 1 tbsp of the grease (optional).Make the Glaze
In a small saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and bacon grease. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth.Assemble the Dish
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix drained green beans and crumbled bacon. Pour glaze over the top and toss to coat evenly.Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the sauce thickens and edges caramelize slightly.Serve Hot
Serve warm as a side dish for meatloaf, roast chicken, or holiday mains.
Notes
- Swap canned beans for blanched fresh or thawed frozen green beans.
- Add heat with crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne.
- Want it creamy? Add a few tablespoons of cream cheese to the glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: ~230
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg