The Best Crack Green Beans (+ Easy Recipe)

Looking for a side dish to be the star of your dinner table? Look no further than crack green beans!

The green beans swim in a rich brown sugar and soy sauce with crispy bacon. And then you bake it to sweet and savory perfection. 

It is so flavorful- these beans will quickly become your favorite. 

Safe to say, this recipe takes the humble green bean to entirely new heights. 

Crack green beans feel at home anywhere from your weeknight table to your holiday spread. 

Read on to discover how to make this crowd-pleasing side dish. Watch as it becomes a regular request!

Crack Green Beans

Crack Green Beans- a dish so addictive, you’d swear it has a secret ingredient. 

This flavorful side dish combines earthy green beans with a sweet and savory sauce. 

The star is the green beans. I love the convenience of canned beans for a quick weeknight dish. But fresh beans will work, too!

Then comes the crispy bacon, lending its smoky, salty contrast. (My favorite part!) 

The sauce is a delightful mix of melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, and seasonings. This creates a sweet-salty harmony that clings to every green bean. 

Bake it until it is hot and bubbly! Then, say goodbye to Green Bean Casserole. This side dish will steal the show no matter what is on the menu. 

Enjoy!

Ingredients

• Green beans-The star of this dish. This recipe calls for canned green beans.
• Bacon– Adds a savory, smoky flavor to the dish. Bacon crumbles take this dish to the next level!
• Butter– For a creamy, delicious flavor. Plus, it helps create the sauce.
• Seasonings– This recipe calls for onion powder and garlic powder for an aromatic flavor.
• Brown sugar– Provides a sweet balance to the savory and salty elements. 
• Soy sauce– Lends a rich, umami flavor to the dish and contributes to the overall saltiness. 

How to Make Crack Green Beans

1. Preheat oven and prepare baking dish. Preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Cook bacon. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool.
   1. Once cooled, cut into small pieces and set aside for later.
3. Prepare the sauce. Combine melted butter, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and soy sauce. Pour over chopped green beans and spread them in the casserole dish.
4. Top with chopped bacon and bake. Sprinkle bacon bits over the green bean casserole and bake for 40 minutes.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Crack Green Beans

• Balance the flavors. Adjust the brown sugar and soy sauce to suit your taste. Add more bacon if you like- or omit it. 
• Drain the beans well. If you use canned green beans, drain them well before adding the sauce. Excess liquid could dilute the flavor of the sauce.
• Bake until bubbly. The sauce should be bubbly and the beans warm. This helps to ensure all the flavors meld together.
• Let it rest. Allow the beans to rest for a few minutes outside of the oven. This helps the sauce thicken and gives the flavors more time to blend.
• Add some heat. Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the recipe if you like a little spice.
• Crunchy bacon. Reserve half the cooked bacon and sprinkle it on the baked green beans. It adds a delightful crunch to this dish.

Variations

Tweak the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs. 

Here are a few variations you could try:

• Crack Green Beans with Peanuts: Add a crunch to your dish by sprinkling roasted peanuts before baking. The nuts will toast in the oven, adding texture and flavor.

• Cheesy Crack Green Beans: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese on the green beans before baking. The cheese will melt and brown, adding a layer of gooeyness.

• Spicy Crack Green Beans: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the sauce mixture. Or, you can use pepper bacon for a peppery kick.

• Vegetarian Crack Green Beans: Replace the bacon with a vegetarian alternative, like smoked tempeh, for a meat-free version.

• Crack Green Beans Stir-Fry: Instead of baking, stir-fry your green beans and bacon in a skillet with the sauce. This is a quicker method if you are short on time.

• Fresh Herb Crack Green Beans: Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to enhance the flavors. Fresh herbs can give a vibrant taste to the dish.

Remember, the best part about cooking is that you can adapt recipes to suit your taste. 

Experiment with different ingredients or seasonings to make this dish your own.

FAQ

• Can You Make Crack Green Beans with Fresh Beans?

Yes, you can make crack green beans with fresh beans. 

1. Begin by trimming the beans. 
2. Then, blanch the fresh beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. 
3. Once they turn vibrant green, immediately immerse them in ice water. 

Follow the original recipe and make adjustments to the baking time if needed.

• Can You Use Frozen Green Beans?

Yes, you can use frozen green beans to make crack green beans. 

1. Thaw them before use, then pat them dry. 
2. Follow the rest of the recipe as written.

How to Store

Let the Crack Green Beans cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the cooled green beans into airtight containers. 

If you don’t have an airtight container, no problem. Use a baking dish and tightly cover it with plastic wrap.

Place the containers in the refrigerator. The green beans should last for 3-4 days when stored properly.

If you want to store the beans longer, you can freeze them. Use a freezer-safe container or bag, and remove as much air as possible. 

Frozen crack green beans can last for up to 2 months. Remember to defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat, warm the beans in a microwave or oven until hot. Cover the dish with foil if reheating in an oven. This prevents the beans from drying.