Name: Green Bean Bundles Bacon: 10 Min Prep & Amazing
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 oz Fresh French Green Beans, washed and ends trimmed; 7 slices bacon, halved; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

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Green bean bundles bacon has become my go-to for impressing guests and satisfying my family’s cravings alike. I remember the first time I tried making them for a holiday gathering; the aroma of sizzling bacon and sweet glaze filled my kitchen, and everyone practically swarmed the oven. These aren’t just any green beans – they’re little flavor bombs! You’ll love how the tender-crisp beans contrast with the salty, crispy bacon. Making these easy bacon green bean bundles is surprisingly simple, and the result is a dish that looks and tastes incredibly special. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Bacon Green Bean Bundles Recipe

You’re going to adore these bundles for so many reasons!

Incredible Flavor: The combination of savory bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tender-crisp beans is simply irresistible.
Quick Prep Time: With only 10 minutes of prep, you can have these ready for the oven in no time.
Healthy-ish Appeal: While they have bacon, the star is the fresh vegetable, making them a relatively wholesome choice.
Budget-Friendly: Using common pantry staples and fresh green beans, this dish is easy on your wallet.
Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike adore these little flavor bombs – they’re a guaranteed hit!
Versatile Serving: These green beans wrapped in bacon work perfectly as a holiday side or a casual appetizer.
Impressive Presentation: They look fancy, but making green beans wrapped in bacon is surprisingly simple.
Crowd Pleaser: Everyone asks for the recipe when they try these delightful bundles.

Ingredients for Green Bean Bundles Bacon

This bacon green bean bundles recipe is all about simple, fresh ingredients coming together for a fantastic side dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

16 oz fresh French green beans, washed and ends trimmed – The star of the show! Make sure they’re fresh for the best texture.
7 slices bacon, halved – Thin-cut bacon works best here; it crisps up beautifully and wraps the bundles perfectly.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted – This forms the base of our sweet and savory glaze.
3 tablespoons brown sugar – Adds that lovely caramelized sweetness to the glaze that pairs so well with bacon.
1 teaspoon pepper – For a little kick to balance the sweetness.
1 teaspoon salt – Enhances all the other flavors.
½ teaspoon garlic powder – A touch of savory depth to the glaze.
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish – Adds a pop of color and freshness at the end.

Green Bean Bundles Bacon: 10 Min Prep & Amazing - Green Bean Bundles Bacon - additional detail

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Follow these simple steps to create the best bacon wrapped green beans. This method ensures tender-crisp beans and perfectly crispy bacon every time.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the prepared fresh French green beans and cook for just 3-4 minutes. This blanching step ensures they’re tender-crisp, not mushy.
Step 3: Immediately drain the green beans and plunge them into a bowl of ice water. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain them thoroughly and pat them very dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy bacon!
Step 4: While the beans cool, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. You want to cook it until it just begins to brown but isn’t crisp yet. We’re par-cooking it to help it crisp up evenly in the oven.
Step 5: Gather 7-8 blanched green beans to form a bundle. Take a halved slice of the partially cooked bacon and wrap it around the middle of each bundle. Secure it with a toothpick. This is how you create these delightful bacon green bean bundles.
Step 6: Arrange the secured bundles on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they aren’t overcrowded.
Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, pepper, salt, and garlic powder. This creates our signature sweet and savory glaze.
Step 8: Generously brush this glaze mixture over each of the bacon wrapped green beans. Make sure to coat the bacon and beans for maximum flavor and caramelization.
Step 9: Roast in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them – you’re looking for the bacon to be wonderfully crisp and the beans to be perfectly tender-crisp. The aroma of how to make bacon wrapped green beans will fill your kitchen!
Step 10: Once done, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the bundles rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the bacon to firm up further. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

Pro Tips for the Best Green Bean Bundles Bacon

These little tips will elevate your green bean bundles bacon from good to absolutely amazing. I’ve learned these tricks through trial and error, and they make all the difference!

Use thin-cut bacon! It wraps more easily and crisps up perfectly without drying out the beans.
Don’t skip the ice bath after blanching; it stops the cooking and keeps the beans bright green.
Pat the green beans *very* dry before wrapping. Moisture is the enemy of crispy bacon.
Partially cook the bacon before wrapping. This ensures it gets perfectly crispy by the time the beans are done.

What’s the secret to perfect bacon wrapped green beans?

The secret lies in the technique: blanch and shock the beans, par-cook the bacon, and pat everything super dry. This ensures tender-crisp beans and crispy bacon green beans every time. The glaze adds that sweet and savory finish. For more tips on cooking techniques, check out our latest recipes.

Can I make green bean bundles bacon ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep these bundles a day in advance! Assemble them completely, cover them tightly, and store them in the refrigerator. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if they’re going into the oven cold.

How do I avoid common mistakes with bacon green bean bundles?

The biggest mistake is soggy beans or bacon! Ensure you pat the beans completely dry and don’t overcrowd the pan. Also, avoid overcooking the beans initially; they should still have a slight bite.

Best Ways to Serve Green Bean Bundles Bacon

These delightful bundles are incredibly versatile! They shine as a festive appetizer bacon green beans at parties, where guests can easily grab a perfectly portioned bundle. For a more substantial meal, they make a fantastic side dish bacon green beans alongside roasted meats like turkey, ham, or chicken. Imagine them at your holiday table – they add a touch of elegance and irresistible flavor that complements both rich and simple main courses. They’re also surprisingly good with grilled steaks or pork chops for a weeknight treat! If you’re looking for other great side dishes, consider these jerk chicken sides.

Nutrition Facts for Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

When you’re enjoying these delicious bundles, it’s helpful to know what you’re getting. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional information per serving, based on our recipe for bacon wrapped green beans:

Calories: 119 kcal
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 414 mg

Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, especially the type of bacon. For more information on general nutrition, you can consult resources like the USDA’s FoodData Central.

How to Store and Reheat Green Bean Bundles with Bacon Recipe

The great news is that this delicious green bean bundles bacon recipe holds up well! Once cooked, let the bundles cool completely on a wire rack. This is super important to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy. Once cooled, you can store any leftover bacon green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, these bundles freeze surprisingly well! Wrap each bundle tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheating is easy. For fridge leftovers, pop them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until warmed through and the bacon is re-crisped. Frozen bundles should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Bacon Green Bean Bundles

What are bacon wrapped green beans?

Bacon wrapped green beans are a popular side dish or appetizer where fresh green beans are bundled together and wrapped with a slice of bacon. They are then typically glazed and baked until the bacon is crispy and the beans are tender-crisp. It’s a simple yet incredibly flavorful way to enjoy vegetables!

Why make bacon green bean bundles?

You should make these bundles because they are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! They offer a fantastic balance of savory, sweet, and salty flavors with delightful textures. They look elegant enough for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas, yet they’re simple enough for a weeknight meal. Plus, they’re a great way to get picky eaters to enjoy their greens! If you’re looking for other family-friendly recipes, check out our easy ground beef and broccoli.

Can I use thicker cut bacon for these bundles?

While thin-cut bacon is recommended for optimal crisping and wrapping, you can use thicker cut bacon if that’s what you have. Just be aware that thicker bacon might take longer to crisp up, and you may need to par-cook it a bit longer initially. Ensure the beans are cooked to your desired tenderness as the bacon crisps.

What can I serve with green bean bundles bacon?

These bundles are incredibly versatile! They pair wonderfully with almost any main course, from roasted turkey and ham for holiday meals to grilled chicken or steak for a more casual dinner. Consider serving them alongside mashed potatoes, stuffing, or a hearty roast beef for a complete and satisfying meal. For other great chicken pairings, explore our garlic honey lime chicken recipes.

Variations of Bacon Wrapped Green Beans You Can Try

While this classic recipe is fantastic, don’t be afraid to get creative with your bacon wrapped green beans! Here are a few ideas to switch things up:

Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the glaze mixture for a little heat.
Maple Glazed: Swap the brown sugar for pure maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness that pairs beautifully with bacon.
Roasted Bacon Green Beans: For an intensely savory flavor, try fully cooking the bacon until crisp before wrapping. Then, roast the bundles until the beans are tender-crisp.
Air Fryer Bacon Green Beans: For ultimate crispiness and speed, use your air fryer! Cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the bacon is crisp. If you love air fryer cooking, you might also enjoy our air fryer honey lime chicken.