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Crack Green Beans

Crack Green Beans

These Crack Green Beans are sweet, savory, and totally addictive. Fresh green beans are baked with crispy bacon, brown sugar, butter, and soy sauce until glossy, sticky, and packed with flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Green Beans & Bacon
  • 2 lbs fresh green beans trimmed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon diced
Glaze & Seasonings
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • red pepper flakes pinch, optional

Equipment

  • 9x13 Baking Dish
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate and reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the skillet.
  3. Place the trimmed green beans in the prepared baking dish. Add the cooked bacon and drizzle over the reserved bacon drippings. Toss lightly to coat the beans.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) until smooth.
  5. Pour the glaze evenly over the green beans and bacon. Toss again to ensure everything is well coated.
  6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5–8 minutes, or until the green beans are tender and the glaze is glossy and slightly thickened.
  7. Give the Crack Green Beans a final toss in the pan to coat them in the sauce, then serve warm.

Notes

For extra caramelization, broil the green beans for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely so the sugars don’t burn. Adjust the sweetness or saltiness by tweaking the brown sugar and soy sauce to your taste.