Best Crack Green Beans Recipe for Thanksgiving - So Good, Your Guests Will Beg for the Recipe!

Best Crack Green Beans Recipe for Thanksgiving: The Addictive Side Dish Everyone Demands!

Move over, green bean casserole healthy versions - there's a new star at the Thanksgiving table! Our Crack Green Beans recipe combines fresh green beans with crispy bacon and caramelized brown sugar for a baked sweet and savory green beans dish that lives up to its name. Perfect alongside Thanksgiving sweet potatoes and Thanksgiving fruit dishes, this green bean and bacon side dish will become your new holiday tradition.

Why This Recipe Works

• Perfect balance: The green beans brown sugar bacon combo creates magic
• Multiple cooking methods: Works as green bean recipes stove top or crockpot bacon green beans
• Crowd-pleaser: Even picky eaters love these candied green beans with bacon
• Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for busy holiday cooking

Ingredients

(Serves 8-10 as a side dish)

• 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 lb thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Oven Method (Our Favorite)

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, then shock in ice water.
2. Cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Remove, leaving 2 tbsp drippings.
3. Melt butter with bacon drippings. Add garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, and spices to create glaze.
4. Toss green beans with glaze and bacon in baking dish. Bake 20-25 minutes until caramelized.

Crockpot Bacon Green Beans Variation

1. Follow steps 1-2 from oven method.
2. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low 4 hours or high 2 hours.
3. Perfect for when oven space is limited during Thanksgiving dinner prep!

Recipe Variations

Green Bean and Bacon Casserole

Turn this into a cracked green bean casserole by topping with fried onions before baking.

Christmas Green Beans

Add dried cranberries and pecans for festive holiday green beans.

Stovetop Green Bean Dinner

Skip baking and simmer everything together for quick green bean recipes stove top version.

Expert Tips

• Bacon choice matters: Use thick-cut for best texture in crock pot green beans with bacon brown sugar
• Blanching secret: Keeps beans crisp-tender in the green bean brown sugar bacon recipe
• Make-ahead: Prep glaze and bacon day before for easy assembly
• Balance your menu: Pair with lighter sides like Thanksgiving fruit salads

Serving Suggestions

This green bean and bacon casserole pairs perfectly with:

• Classic mac n cheese for ultimate comfort food spread
• Thanksgiving sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping
• Assorted Thanksgiving dips for appetizer course
• Traditional roasted turkey or glazed ham

FAQs

Can I use frozen green beans?

Yes, though fresh makes the best candied green beans with bacon. Skip blanching if using frozen.

How do I store leftovers?

Refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat in oven to maintain texture of these holiday green beans.

Can I make this vegetarian?

For a meat-free green bean dinner, substitute mushrooms for bacon and use olive oil.

What makes these "crack" green beans?

The addictive combination of salty bacon and sweet brown sugar glaze in this baked sweet and savory green beans recipe!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This green bean and bacon side dish is perfect for holiday meal prep:

• 3 days ahead: Blanch beans and make glaze (store separately)
• Freezing: Not recommended due to bacon texture changes
• Reheating: 350°F oven for 15 minutes restores crispness

Final Thoughts

Our Crack Green Beans recipe is the ultimate upgrade to your Thanksgiving dinner spread. Whether you make the crockpot bacon green beans version or the classic baked method, these green beans brown sugar bacon delights will disappear fast. Perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas green beans traditions, this dish might just outshine your main course!

Pro Tip: Double the recipe - these make amazing leftovers alongside Thanksgiving dips for next-day snacking!

Recipe Card: Crack Green Beans

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 40 mins

Course: Side Dish | Cuisine: American | Servings: 10

The perfect green bean and bacon casserole alternative for holidays!