If you’re on the hunt for a comforting, fuss-free side dish that brings smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors all in one bite, I can’t recommend this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe enough. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want green beans to finally get the spotlight they deserve – tender, flavorful, and packed with bacon goodness. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a staple side in your meal rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off Cooking: Pop everything in your crock pot and let it work its magic while you focus on other dishes.
- Flavor-Packed: Bacon, garlic, and Worcestershire create layers of smoky and savory deliciousness without extra effort.
- Perfect Texture: Slow cooking gently softens green beans while keeping them from turning mushy.
- Family Favorite: My family asks for this green bean recipe over and over – and I bet yours will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together like a dream. The smoky bacon fat flavors the green beans and onion beautifully, while the little addition of brown sugar balances everything out with a touch of sweetness. Don’t skip the Worcestershire sauce – it adds this depth I couldn’t live without anymore!
- Bacon: Use thick-cut if you can; it crisps up nicely and adds rich flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and aroma once sautéed in bacon grease.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives a fragrant punch that complements the bacon perfectly.
- Fresh Green Beans: Trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces for even cooking; fresh gives the best texture.
- Vegetable Broth: Keeps the beans moist and infuses flavor without overpowering.
- Butter: Adds richness and creaminess to the mixture.
- Brown Sugar (optional): Just a bit for that slightly sweet counterbalance.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for umami depth and subtle tang.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to your taste to bring all flavors together.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe, and I’m all for customizing it to fit your taste or dietary needs. Whether you like it a little sweeter, more savory, or even spiced up a bit, there’s room for your personal touch here.
- Swap the Bacon: Sometimes I use ham or sliced link sausage instead for a different smoky flavor that my family also loves.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the onion and garlic if you want a subtle heat kick.
- Use Canned Green Beans: When pressed for time, canned green beans work well too – just cut cooking time in half and omit the broth.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the butter or swap it for olive oil if you want to keep it dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.
How to Make Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Bacon Until Crispy
Start by frying your chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat. I discovered that getting it nice and crispy first not only adds texture but leaves behind flavorful bacon grease that’s perfect for sautéing your onion and garlic. Once cooked, scoop out the bacon but leave the grease in the pan.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic in Bacon Grease
Throw diced yellow onions and minced garlic right into that bacon grease, cooking them for about 3 minutes until they soften and get fragrant. This step enhances that smoky flavor to every bite of your green beans. Then transfer this mix into the crock pot.
Step 3: Add Green Beans and Remaining Ingredients
Now add your fresh green beans, vegetable broth, butter, brown sugar (if using), Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the crock pot. Give everything a good stir to combine so every bean gets coated with those rich flavors.
Step 4: Cook on High, Then Add Bacon and Finish
Cook everything on high for 2 ½ hours until the green beans are tender. Then pop your crispy bacon back in and let it cook for another 30 minutes. This way, your bacon stays nice and crisp, infusing flavor without going soft and mushy. Finally, it’s ready to serve!
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Trim Your Green Beans Well: I used to rush this part, but trimming those tough ends really improves the texture and makes eating so much nicer.
- Don’t Skip the Bacon Grease: Using the bacon grease for sautéing onions and garlic adds an incredible depth of flavor that plain oil just can’t replicate.
- Add Bacon Last: Putting the bacon in near the end keeps it crispy rather than soggy – a game changer in texture.
- Taste Before Final Seasoning: Because broth, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce all add saltiness, I learned to taste near the end before adding extra salt.
How to Serve Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and sometimes a little flaky sea salt on top right before serving. If I’m feeling fancy, a handful of toasted slivered almonds adds a lovely crunch contrast that my guests always comment on.
Side Dishes
This Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, or even a juicy grilled steak. I also love serving it alongside a savory casserole for holiday dinners – it’s like a flavor hug for your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For family gatherings, I toss these beans in a rustic cast iron skillet and bring it right to the table – it keeps them warm and makes the presentation cozy and inviting. I’ve also served them in festive ramekins for a pretty individual touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers (which doesn’t happen often!), I store them in an airtight container in the fridge where they stay fresh up to 5 days. Letting them cool completely before sealing the container keeps the texture firm and flavorful.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dish a few times and honestly, it’s a lifesaver. After cooling, I pack it in freezer-safe bags and it lasts up to three months. When thawed, it still tastes fantastic, although the green beans sometimes get softer, which is perfect for a quick side.
Reheating
Microwaving leftover Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon works, but I prefer reheating them slowly on the stovetop or back in the crock pot on high for about 30 minutes. This way, everything warms evenly, and the bacon keeps some of its crispness rather than getting rubbery.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Yes! Frozen green beans can be substituted; just thaw them first and reduce the cooking time slightly since they’re already cooked to some degree. Keep an eye on texture so they don’t get too soft.
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Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can skip the bacon and butter and instead sauté onions and garlic in olive oil or vegan butter. Use vegetable broth and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a bacon-like flavor boost.
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How do I prevent the green beans from becoming mushy?
The key is to keep an eye on your slow cooker time and avoid going past 3 hours on high. Also, trimming the beans properly and avoiding overfilling the crock pot with too many extra moisture-rich ingredients helps maintain a pleasant bite.
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Can I prepare this recipe in the oven instead of a crock pot?
Try baking it covered at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you go this route, make sure the beans are tender and adjust seasoning as needed since oven heat differs from slow cooking.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe brings the best out of simple ingredients with zero stress. It’s become my go-to side when I want a dish everyone enjoys without standing over the stove. Honestly, toss these green beans in your crock pot, and you’ll feel like you’ve nailed the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tender—every single time. Give it a try and prepare for all the compliments that come your way!
Print
Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot Green Beans recipe combines fresh green beans with savory bacon, onions, and a flavorful broth, slow-cooked to tender perfection. It’s an easy, hands-off side dish perfect for family dinners or holiday meals that delivers a comforting blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Vegetables
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the bacon grease in the skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant. Transfer this mixture to the crockpot.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: To the crockpot, add the trimmed and cut green beans, vegetable broth, butter, brown sugar (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook in Crockpot: Cover and cook on high for 2 ½ hours in the crockpot, allowing the green beans to become tender and absorb the flavors.
- Finish with Bacon: Add the reserved crispy bacon back into the crockpot. Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes on high to meld the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Storing: Store the cooked green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. Alternatively, warm them in the crockpot on high for 30 minutes.
- Freezing: Cool the green beans completely, then freeze in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers for up to three months.
- Trimming Green Beans: Trim stems and tough ends from fresh green beans, or use pre-trimmed fresh beans to save prep time.
- Canned Green Beans Option: Use four cans of drained green beans in place of fresh beans and omit the broth. Since canned beans are pre-cooked, cook for 1.5 hours instead of 3 hours.
- Meat Variations: Ham or sliced link sausage can be used instead of bacon for a different flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
