Delicious Bacon Wrapped Green Beans: The Ultimate Easy Side Dish
Prepare to elevate your dinner table with these incredibly quick and easy bacon-wrapped green beans. Requiring just three simple ingredients and about 20 minutes in the oven, this recipe brings together thick, savory bacon and tender-crisp green beans in a harmonious blend of flavors that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight side or an impressive dish for entertaining, these bundles of joy offer a delightful combination of textures and tastes.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Recipe
There’s something undeniably magical about wrapping fresh green beans in a blanket of smoky, savory bacon. This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. Here’s why these bacon-wrapped green beans deserve a permanent spot on your menu:
- Irresistible Flavor Combination: The salty, rich notes of bacon perfectly complement the fresh, slightly earthy taste of green beans. When baked, the bacon renders its fat, infusing the beans with incredible flavor while achieving a delightful crispness.
- Effortlessly Elegant: Despite their sophisticated appearance, these green bean bundles are remarkably easy to prepare. They look impressive on any plate, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, dinner parties, or simply a special touch to a weeknight meal.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Impact: With just three core ingredients – fresh green beans, bacon, and your chosen seasoning – you can create a side dish that outshines more complicated recipes.
- Quick to Prepare: From prep to plate, these bundles are ready in under 30 minutes, with most of that time spent in the oven, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your meal.
- Versatile Pairing: These green beans pair beautifully with almost any main course, from a juicy steak to a roasted chicken or even a holiday ham.
Think of them as an elevated version of classic roasted green beans, because, let’s be honest, almost everything is better when wrapped in a jacket of crispy bacon. Do your taste buds a favor and add these bacon-wrapped green beans to tonight’s dinner menu!
Essential Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful green bean bundles. You’ll be surprised at how few items you need to achieve such a flavorful side dish. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, refer to the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Expert Substitutions
Understanding each ingredient and its role is key to perfecting your bacon-wrapped green beans. Here’s a closer look, along with helpful tips and substitution suggestions:
GREEN BEANS – For the best results in this recipe, always opt for fresh green beans. Their vibrant color and natural crispness are essential for the desired texture. Make sure to trim off the tough, stringy ends before bundling. While fresh is highly recommended, if you find yourself in a pinch, you can use frozen green beans. However, be sure to thaw them completely and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can prevent the beans from crisping up and make the bacon soggy, which we definitely want to avoid for that perfect tender-crisp finish.
BACON – The star of the show! We highly recommend using center-cut, thick-cut bacon for this recipe. Thick-cut bacon holds up better during baking, providing a substantial, meaty texture that contrasts beautifully with the tender beans. It also renders fat more slowly, giving the beans time to cook and absorb flavor without the bacon burning. If thick-cut isn’t available, regular bacon can work, but keep a closer eye on it to prevent overcooking. For a slightly different flavor profile, consider using a maple-cured bacon for a hint of sweetness, or a peppered bacon for an extra kick.
SEASONING – While we’ve chosen Montreal steak seasoning for its robust and savory blend of garlic, pepper, and herbs, this is where you can truly personalize your green bean bundles. Your favorite all-purpose seasoning blend will work wonderfully. Other excellent options include:
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: A classic and universally loved combination.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness that enhances the bacon flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup: For a sweet and savory glaze, sprinkle a little brown sugar or brush with maple syrup over the bacon before baking. This caramelizes beautifully.
- Red Pepper Flakes: If you enjoy a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice zing.
- Herbs de Provence: For an aromatic, herbaceous twist.
Feel free to experiment with seasonings that complement your main course.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this delicious recipe with confidence. For a quick reference, you can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even cooking and crispy bacon as soon as your green bean bundles are ready.
- Prepare Baking Setup: Place a wire rack over a sturdy baking sheet. This crucial step allows air to circulate around the green bean bundles, ensuring that the bacon gets beautifully crispy on all sides and preventing them from sitting in rendered fat.
- Season Bacon: Lay out your strips of thick-cut bacon. Lightly season one side of each bacon strip with your chosen Montreal steak seasoning (or other preferred seasoning). This ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
- Assemble Green Bean Bundles: Take a small bundle of fresh green beans, typically 7-9 beans, ensuring they are roughly the same length for even cooking. Place this bundle at one end of a seasoned bacon strip, with the seasoned side of the bacon facing up. Carefully roll the green beans tightly with the bacon strip. The goal is to keep the beans snug within the bacon jacket. Once rolled, place each bundle seam-side down on the prepared wire rack. Repeat this process until all your green beans and bacon strips are used.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet with the green bean bundles to your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown, and the green beans are tender-crisp. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your bacon and your oven’s calibration, so keep an eye on them towards the end.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
To ensure your bacon-wrapped green beans turn out perfectly every time, here are answers to common questions and some valuable expert tips:
No, blanching the green beans beforehand is not necessary for this recipe. Baking them directly with the bacon allows them to cook to a perfect tender-crisp texture. However, if you prefer your green beans to be significantly softer or more on the tender side with less crunch, you can certainly blanch them for 2-3 minutes in boiling salted water, then immediately plunge them into an ice bath, and pat them very dry before wrapping.
Absolutely! These green bean bundles are excellent for meal prepping or preparing ahead for guests. You can assemble the bundles up to one day in advance. Store them neatly in an air-tight container or a large zip-top bag in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, allow them to rest at room temperature for about 20-25 minutes before placing them in the preheated oven. This helps them cook more evenly.
If you happen to have any leftovers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an air-tight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place them back in a 375°F (190°C) oven until warmed through and the bacon crisps up again. You can also quickly reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes for optimal crispiness.
Expert Tips for the Best Bacon Wrapped Green Beans:
- Choose the Right Bacon: As mentioned, thick-cut, center-cut bacon is ideal. It provides more substance and crisps up perfectly without burning before the beans are cooked.
- Don’t Skimp on Drying: If using fresh green beans after washing, or frozen green beans after thawing, ensure they are thoroughly patted dry. This is crucial for achieving that desirable tender-crisp texture and allowing the bacon to adhere well.
- Even Bundles: Try to make your green bean bundles uniform in size (7-9 beans per bundle) so they cook at the same rate. This ensures every bundle is perfectly done.
- Tight Wrap: Wrap the bacon snugly around the green beans. A tight wrap helps the bacon stay in place and ensures it renders and crisps evenly around the beans.
- Elevate for Crispiness: Using a wire rack is non-negotiable for crispy bacon. It lifts the bundles away from the rendered fat, allowing for air circulation and an all-around crispy texture.
- Customize with Glazes: For an extra layer of flavor, consider brushing the bacon bundles with a mixture of maple syrup and a touch of balsamic vinegar, or a brown sugar glaze, during the last 5-10 minutes of baking. This creates a delicious sweet and savory crust.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
These versatile bacon-wrapped green beans are a fantastic accompaniment to almost any main course, enhancing the meal with their savory charm. They strike a perfect balance, making them suitable for both casual family dinners and more elaborate holiday feasts. Here are some serving suggestions to inspire your next meal:
- Holiday Dinners: A true showstopper alongside traditional holiday mains like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a succulent prime rib. Their festive appearance and delicious flavor make them a must-have for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- Steakhouse-Style Meals: Pair them with a perfectly cooked steak, such as a juicy New York strip or a tender Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, for a restaurant-quality experience at home. Add some creamy mashed potatoes, and you have a complete, luxurious meal.
- Poultry Perfection: They complement roasted chicken, baked chicken breasts, or even more intricate dishes like stuffed chicken breast. The bacon’s richness adds a beautiful counterpoint to leaner poultry.
- Comfort Food Favorites: Elevate classic comfort dishes like meatloaf, pot roast, or shepherd’s pie. The green beans provide a fresh, crisp element to hearty meals.
- Seafood Delights: Don’t limit these to red meat or poultry! They’re surprisingly delightful with pan-seared salmon, baked cod, or other flaky white fish, offering a smoky contrast to the delicate seafood. For an even more indulgent seafood pairing, try serving them alongside Bacon Wrapped Scallops or Bacon Wrapped Shrimp.
- Brunch or Appetizer Spread: While typically a side, these can also make a fantastic savory addition to a brunch spread or be served as a delightful appetizer for parties. Arrange them on a platter with a dipping sauce like a balsamic glaze or spicy mayo for a gourmet touch.
No matter what you choose to serve them with, these bacon-wrapped green beans are sure to be a hit. Enjoy!
Discover More Bacon-Wrapped Delights
If you’ve fallen in love with the magic of bacon-wrapped vegetables and proteins, you’re in for a treat! The possibilities are endless when you combine savory bacon with fresh ingredients. Here are some more of our favorite bacon-wrapped recipes that you might enjoy:
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Carrots
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
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Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh green beans ends trimmed
- 1 pound center-cut bacon thick-cut, about 12-14 strips
- Montreal steak seasoning to taste, or your preferred seasoning blend
Things You’ll Need
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Baking sheet
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Wire cooling rack
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Use fresh green beans for the best tender-crisp texture. If using frozen, thaw and pat very dry.
- Thick-cut, center-cut bacon yields the best results for crispiness and flavor.
- Customize your flavor with different seasonings, or try a sweet glaze like brown sugar or maple syrup during the last minutes of baking.
- Blanching green beans is optional if you prefer a softer texture; otherwise, cook directly.
- Prepare bundles ahead of time (up to 1 day) and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking.
- Store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for best results.
- Using a wire rack ensures all-around crispy bacon.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Place a wire rack over a large baking sheet for optimal crispiness.
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Lightly season one side of each bacon strip with Montreal steak seasoning.
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Take a bundle of 7-9 fresh green beans, place them at the end of a bacon strip (seasoned side up), and tightly roll. Place seam-side down on the wire rack. Repeat for all bundles.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until bacon is crispy and green beans are tender-crisp.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.