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Crack Green Beans

Crack green beans with a sticky caramelized brown sugar soy glaze and crispy bacon. Oven-baked until the coating clings, with a quick blanch for crisp-tender texture.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Green beans
  • 2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
Bacon and glaze
  • 8 bacon, chopped
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 0.25 cup butter, melted
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 4 garlic, minced
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and set out a 9x13-inch baking dish for the beans.
  2. Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, then drain well.
Cook bacon and build the dish
  1. Cook the bacon until mostly crisp, then drain on paper towels to reduce excess grease.
  2. Place the drained green beans in the baking dish and top with the bacon.
  3. Whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, minced garlic, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth.
  4. Pour the glaze over the beans so they’re coated as evenly as possible.
Bake and caramelize
  1. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, stirring once, until the glaze is sticky and caramelized with browned edges.

Notes

For less watery results, make sure the blanched green beans are fully drained before baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in the oven or microwave until hot. Freezing is not recommended because the green beans can soften too much after thawing. If you want a lower-sodium option, use reduced-sodium soy sauce and keep the rest of the glaze the same.