Name: Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh green beans; 6 slices bacon; 3 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon brown sugar substitute; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; salt and pepper to taste

There’s something irresistibly satisfying about the crispy, smoky bacon wrapping tender green beans in this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe. The contrasting textures and flavors make it such a crowd-pleaser—perfect for holiday dinners or simply elevating your weeknight meals.

The image shows five bundles of green beans wrapped tightly with crispy, golden-brown bacon strips. Each bundle has about 7-10 green beans, with their slightly charred tips sticking out from both ends of the bacon wrap. The bacon looks shiny and textured with visible salt flakes on top. These bundles rest on a metal cooling rack inside a baking tray lined with a browned parchment paper that has dark spots from cooking. The edge of the tray has a crisp folded rim and a navy, white striped cloth is partly visible at the bottom left corner. The whole scene is set against a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely can’t get enough of how this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe turns such a simple veggie into a decadent treat. It’s magic happens when that salty, crispy bacon melts right into the sweetness of the brown sugar glaze. Plus, it’s super straightforward to throw together, even on busy days.

Perfect Party Starter: Easy to hold and eat, these bundles are always a hit at gatherings.
Balance of Flavors: The butter and brown sugar glaze adds just the right sweet-savory touch.
Texture Play: Crisp bacon meets tender, yet firm green beans – a combo you’ll keep coming back to.
Customizable: You can adjust spices and sweetness based on what you like, making it truly your own.

The image shows several bundles of green beans tied tightly with crispy, golden brown bacon strips. Each bundle has bright green beans with slightly charred tips that peek out from either end of the bacon wrap. The bacon looks shiny and crunchy with a sprinkling of coarse white sea salt on top. The bundles rest on a metal rack with a white marbled surface underneath. The lighting highlights the texture of the bacon and the fresh look of the green beans. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients in this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe work in harmony to create that perfect bite. You want fresh green beans for crispness, while the bacon brings rich flavor and crunch. The butter and brown sugar substitute melt into a glaze that ties everything together beautifully.

Flat lay of fresh bright green beans with trimmed ends, six raw thin-cut bacon slices with marbled pink and white fat, a small white ceramic bowl of golden melted butter, a small white bowl filled with light brown granulated brown sugar substitute, a small white bowl of fine off-white garlic powder, a small white bowl containing coarse white salt crystals, and a small white bowl of whole black peppercorns, all perfectly arranged in balanced symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh green beans: Always choose fresh for that snap and vibrant flavor; they hold up well in cooking.
Bacon slices: Thin cut bacon crisps perfectly without overpowering the beans.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the glaze stick.
Brown sugar substitute: Sweetens the bacon just enough without being cloying; maple syrup or honey can also work.
Garlic powder: Gives a gentle savory kick that complements the smoky bacon.
Salt and pepper: To season and balance the flavors just right.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I return to this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe so often is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you want to amp up the heat, switch up the sweetener, or add some crunch, it’s totally up to you!

Variation: I sometimes sprinkle a little red pepper flakes inside the bacon wrap for a smoky heat that wakes up the whole dish.
Diet swap: You can swap butter for olive oil or vegan butter to make it dairy-free without losing flavor.
Seasonal twist: Try adding fresh rosemary or thyme with the green beans for an herbaceous note.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe

Step 1: Prepping the Green Bean Bundles

After preheating your oven to 400°F, I like to wash my green beans and trim off the ends—this ensures no tough tips sneak into the bundles. I bundle about 5 to 10 green beans together, depending on their size and how thick your bacon is. Lay a strip of bacon flat, place the beans at one end, then roll it up tightly around them, making sure the seam is on the bottom. This keeps the bundle from unraveling during roasting.

Step 2: Make the Glaze and Brush It On

Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in your brown sugar substitute and garlic powder until smooth and combined. I brush this mixture over the top of each bacon-wrapped bundle. This step is crucial because it adds a glossy, sweet layer that caramelizes while baking. Don’t forget to sprinkle some salt and freshly cracked pepper at this stage – it makes a big difference.

Step 3: Baking to Perfection

Place your bundles seam side down on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This setup helps the bacon crisp all around. Cover loosely with foil and roast for about 35 minutes – this steams the beans to the right tenderness without drying the bacon. Afterward, remove the foil and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until the bacon turns crispy and delicious. Keep an eye on it the last few minutes so it doesn’t burn!

Top Tip

From my experience, a few small tricks can elevate your Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe from good to unforgettable. Baking on a wire rack is a game-changer, and choosing thin-cut bacon helps maximize crispiness without needing longer cooking times.

Use a wire rack: Elevates bacon so it crisps evenly instead of sitting in grease.
Keep bundles tight: Wrapping bacon snugly prevents unraveling as they cook.
Brush glaze liberally: Don’t be shy with the butter-sugar mix for that perfect caramelized finish.
Do not skip the foil step: It’s what steams the beans tender without drying out the bacon.

How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe

bacon wrapped green beans - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or freshly cracked black pepper on top right before serving—it just enhances that bacon’s natural savoriness. Sometimes a little sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a subtle crunch and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the glaze.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs perfectly with simple roasted meats like chicken or pork. I especially enjoy it alongside garlic mashed potatoes or a creamy risotto—the slightly sweet, smoky bundles complement those rich sides so well.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday meals, I’ve arranged the bundles on a festive platter lined with fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs and rosemary twigs, which add a lovely aroma. You could also thread the bundles onto skewers for an easy-to-serve appetizer that’s fun and elegant.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let the leftovers cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Re-crisping them is simple and keeps them tasting fresh.

Freezing

While it's possible to freeze the cooked bundles, I found that the texture of the green beans softens a bit more after thawing. It's best to freeze uncooked, wrapped bundles on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for up to a month. Bake from frozen, adding extra time.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a 375°F oven on a wire rack for 10-12 minutes to revive the bacon’s crispness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the bacon crunchy, but it works in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen or canned green beans instead of fresh?

Fresh green beans are preferred for the best texture and flavor. Frozen green beans can work if thawed and patted dry, but canned ones tend to be too soft and may turn mushy after baking.

What type of bacon is best for this recipe?

Thin cut bacon crisps up best for this recipe, giving you that ideal crunch without overcooking the green beans. Thick cut bacon might stay chewy and take longer to cook.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble the bacon wrapped green bean bundles a few hours in advance and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Just bring them back to room temperature before roasting to ensure even cooking.

How can I keep the bacon from unraveling?

Make sure to roll the bacon tightly around the green beans and place the bundles seam side down on the wire rack before baking. You can also secure with a toothpick if needed, though I rarely have to.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Bacon Wrapped Green Beans Recipe has become one of my favorite ways to dress up veggies and impress guests without breaking a sweat. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for those moments when you want a little something special on your table. I can’t wait for you to try it out and see just how addictively delicious those bundles can be!