Crack green beans are the side dish that guarantees seconds! Tender green beans bake in a sweet-savory buttery sauce with smoky bacon. These are simple to make, wildly addictive, and gone in minutes.
Caramelized sauce payoff: As the beans bake, the brown sugar and soy sauce bubble into a glossy glaze that clings to every bite.
Minimal prep, major flavor: Just toss everything in a bowl, bake, and stir occasionally. No blanching, no fancy steps, just straight-up delicious.
Kid- and crowd-approved: Even veggie skeptics can’t resist this sweet-and-savory combo, making it a reliable hit for family dinners and potlucks.
Green Beans: This recipe is best with canned green beans! Ensure that you drain the beans thoroughly to remove any excess liquid.
Bacon: Using precooked bacon makes this recipe even easier! If you prefer to cook your own bacon, using the oven or air fryer is an easy, hands-off way to get perfectly crispy bacon.
Ranch Seasoning: This is optional, but it adds to the “crack” flavor and makes the beans extra tasty!
This crack green beans recipe is a total breeze and full of flavor. You’ll have tender, caramelized green beans with smoky bacon ready in no time. It’s as simple as 3 easy steps: toss, bake, and stir, that’s it!
Make the Sauce: Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, light brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Toss and Bake: Add the green beans and cooked bacon to the sauce and toss to combine. Transfer the coated green beans to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the beans. Cook until the green beans are tender and soft.
Prep: Follow the instructions for preparing the green beans.
Add to Crockpot: Instead of putting them in a baking dish, transfer the beans to a crockpot.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours or HIGH for 1 hour and enjoy!
Fridge: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warmed through.
From grilled steak and barbecue chicken to holiday ham or weeknight meatloaf, these beans go great with every main dish. Here are a few more sides that go well with everything!