Description
Crack Green Beans is a delightful sweet and savory side dish featuring tender green beans coated in a rich buttery glaze made with brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder, topped with crispy crumbled bacon. Perfect for holiday dinners or any meal where you want to add a flavorful vegetable side.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans
- 5 cans (14.5 oz each) green beans, drained (or 6 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched)
Bacon
- 12 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
Glaze
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the green beans.
- Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon slices until crispy, drain off any excess fat, and crumble them into small pieces. Set aside for topping.
- Prepare Green Beans: Drain canned green beans thoroughly or blanch fresh green beans by boiling them briefly and then cooling them in ice water. This ensures they are tender and ready for baking.
- Arrange Beans: Spread the prepared green beans evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish to create an even layer.
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Coat Beans: Pour the glaze over the green beans and gently toss with a spoon or spatula to ensure all the beans are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Add Bacon: Sprinkle the crumbled crispy bacon evenly over the top of the glazed green beans.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the glaze is bubbly and has thickened nicely.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the glaze set and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh green beans for canned for a fresher taste; just be sure to blanch them first.
- For a lower sodium version, use low-sodium soy sauce or adjust to taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze for a subtle spicy kick.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats and holiday meals.
