Appetizers · 4 min read
Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Green beans never taste so good! Fresh green beans are wrapped with bacon and a special brown sugar soy sauce is drizzled over them.
★ 5.0 (4)
Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles are my go-to when I want a vegetable side that actually gets people talking. The combination of crisp-tender haricots verts, smoky bacon, and a sweet brown sugar glaze is hard to beat. The key is undercooking the bacon slightly and letting the oven finish the job, so you get that perfect chew without any rubbery bits. I first made these for a family gathering, and they disappeared before the turkey even came out of the oven.
What Makes These Green Bean Bundles So Worth Making
- The brown sugar soy sauce glaze caramelizes into a sticky, sweet crust on the bacon, giving each bundle a nice balance of smoky and sweet.
- You can assemble the bundles a few hours ahead and pop them in the oven when you're ready, making this an easy green bean recipe for busy weeknights or holiday appetizer spreads.
- Using thin French green beans means they cook quickly and stay tender without getting mushy, so every bite has a nice snap.
Key Ingredients for the Best Green Bean Bundles
- French-style green beans (haricots verts): These are thinner and more tender than regular green beans, so they cook quickly and hold up well. If you can't find them, use regular green beans and increase the microwave time to 2 minutes.
- Bacon: Use a good quality bacon that's not too thick or too thin. Thick-cut may need extra baking time, while thin bacon might crisp too quickly. Standard sliced bacon works best.
- Brown sugar: The sauce relies on brown sugar for sweetness and caramelization. Light or dark both work, but dark brown sugar gives a deeper molasses flavor.
Kitchen Tools for Making Green Bean Bundles
- 9x13-inch baking dish for holding the bundles in a single layer
- Large skillet for par-cooking the bacon
- Small saucepan for making the brown sugar sauce
- Toothpicks to secure the bacon
- Microwave-safe plate or paper towel for steaming the beans
Tips for Making the Best Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
- Don't skip the microwave step. Steaming the beans for 90 seconds ensures they're tender by the time the bacon crisps, so you don't end up with raw beans.
- If your bacon strips are very long, cut them in half so they wrap around the bundles more easily and cook evenly.
- Use toothpicks to secure the bacon, but remember to remove them before serving. Soak the toothpicks in water for 10 minutes if you plan to bake them to prevent burning.
Advanced Tips for Even Better Green Bean Bundles
- For extra layers of flavor, brush the bundles with the sauce halfway through baking. This helps the glaze build up and gives a deeper caramelization.
- If you're using thick-cut bacon, you may need to add a few minutes to the baking time. Watch for the bacon to turn deeply browned and crisp at the edges.
- To keep the bundles neat, trim the green beans to a uniform length before wrapping. This also helps them cook evenly.
Green Bean Bundle Variations to Try
- Spicy: Add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper or a few red pepper flakes to the sauce for a kick.
- Maple: Swap the brown sugar for maple syrup to get a different kind of sweetness that pairs well with the bacon.
- Dairy-free: Use a plant-based butter substitute in the sauce. The flavor will still be rich and glossy.
- Cheesy: Tuck a small piece of cheddar or pepper jack inside each bundle before wrapping for a melty surprise.
What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives right before serving for a pop of color and freshness.
- These bundles pair beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or pork chops.
- Arrange them on a platter with a bowl of extra glaze on the side for dipping, and they make a great party side dish for any gathering.
How to Store Leftover Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Leftover bundles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The bacon will lose some of its crispness, but the flavors will still be delicious. When you're ready to enjoy them, reheat them in the oven to bring back some of the texture.
Can You Freeze Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles?
Yes, you can freeze these bundles before baking. Assemble the bundles, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer, and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll keep for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, place them straight from the freezer into a 350°F oven and add about 10 minutes to the baking time. The bacon may need a little extra time to crisp up.
Best Way to Reheat Green Bean Bundles
To reheat leftovers, place the bundles on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and the bacon re-crisps. A microwave will work in a pinch, but the bacon will be softer. For best results, use the oven method.
Source recipe: Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles (SnapChef ID d181e0a1-5cfe-4924-a983-47946f1d4627). Nutrition is estimated per serving.
Ingredients
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Wash green beans and carefully lay them on a paper towel and place them in the microwave to steam for about 90 seconds. In a large skillet, saute bacon until it is almost done, undercook the bacon, you will finish cooking the bacon in the oven.
- Meanwhile in a small saucepan combine butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until the butter and brown sugar have melted and blended.
- Take about 5 to 6 green beans and bundle them together by wrapping one piece of bacon around the green beans. Secure bacon with a toothpick, and place into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Repeat until you run out of green beans or bacon.
- Drizzle a couple of teaspoons of the seasoned butter sauce over each green bean bundle. Bake green bean bundles until the bacon is crisp. Browning of the bacon should take about 10 - 15 minutes. Before serving, drizzle the remaining sauce over the bacon bundles.
Tap a step number to check it off as you cook.
Nutrition Facts per serving · estimated
Amount per serving
% Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet (FDA).
Good to know
Questions, answered
Can I use regular green beans instead of French-style?
Yes, but regular green beans are thicker, so you'll need to blanch them a bit longer in the microwave, maybe 2 minutes instead of 90 seconds. They may also need a few extra minutes in the oven to become tender.
Can I assemble these bundles ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can put the bundles together, cover the dish, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few minutes to the baking time if they're cold from the fridge.
How do I keep the bacon from unrolling?
Make sure to wrap the bacon tightly and secure it with a toothpick. If the bacon is too long, trim it to fit. Also, undercooking the bacon slightly in the skillet helps it stay pliable for wrapping.
Can I make these without toothpicks?
You can try, but the bacon may unroll during baking. If you prefer to skip toothpicks, you can lay the bundles seam-side down in the dish, but they might not hold their shape as well. Toothpicks are the most reliable method.
