Green beans are the perfect side dish for a family dinner any day of the week, but especially the holidays. Inject some flavor into your traditional recipe and try these crack green beans! The green beans are sautéed in a sweet and savory sauce and then tossed with crispy bacon. It's a winning combination!
I know what you're thinking, why is this called crack green beans? It's the same with my Crack slaw and my crack chicken recipe. These recipes the perfect blend of deliciousness and they are super easy to make. People get offended when I call these recipes crack, but this is what people search for on Google. If I don't name it this, people will not be able to find the recipe!
This recipe is an amazing combo of sweet, salty, and crunchy. It is the perfect green bean recipe and one of my favorite vegetable sides. I love taking the crack green beans to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. I think people prefer it over green bean casserole! Below, I give instructions on how to use fresh beans or canned green beans.
Ingredients needed
1 pound fresh green beans - you can also use 2, 15 ounces cans of green beans that have been trained. The fresh ones need to be trimmed and cut in half.
½ pound bacon slices, chopped - the crispy bacon in this green bean dish really makes it irresistible. You could also substitute turkey bacon to cut down on calories.
2 tablespoons reserved bacon grease - when we are finished cooking the bacon, we are going to want to remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the pan. If you use turkey bacon, you will want to add fat such as olive oil to make up the difference.
1 teaspoon minced garlic - you can also use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
2 tablespoons soy sauce - you can also use Tamari if you need a gluten free soy sauce.
2 tablespoons brown sugar - I use sugar free to keep this crack green beans recipe low carb friendly but you are free to use whatever you like.
How to make crack green beans
In your large skillet with lid, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Once cooked through, remove from skillet using a slotted spoon. Remove all but 2 Tablespoons of your bacon grease from your skillet.
Keep the heat on medium-high and toss the green beans around for a couple of minutes in the skillet or until they start to blister. Reduce the heat to low and add in the garlic, soy sauce and brown sugar sweetener. Cover with your lid and let the green beans cook for about 8 minutes (omit this step if using canned).
Stir in already cooked bacon. Serve and enjoy!
Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Make this a complete meal
Crack Green Beans - Fresh or Canned
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon, chopped
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and any strings removed or 2, 15 ounce cans, drained
- 2 tablespoons reserved bacon grease
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce or Tamari
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Sweetener
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Once cooked through, remove from skillet using a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.½ pound bacon, chopped
- Remove all but 2 Tablespoons of bacon grease from the skillet.2 tablespoons reserved bacon grease
- Turn the heat to medium-high and toss the green beans around for a couple of minutes in the skillet or until they start to blister. Reduce heat to low and add in the garlic, soy sauce and brown sugar sweetener. Cover with the lid and let the green beans cook for about 8 minutes (omit this step if using canned.)1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and any strings removed, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 2 tablespoons Soy sauce or Tamari, 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Sweetener
- Stir in the already cooked bacon. Serve and enjoy!
Janice says
I didn’t have any ranch powder but it still came out amazing! Will definitely make it again.
Deidre says
Huge hit with my house of teenagers & so easy!
Jessica says
This was the best green bean recipe I’ve ever had! Everyone at the party loved it.