Go Back
Easy Crack Green Beans topped with brown sugar and crispy bacon in a skillet.

Easy Crack Green Beans with Brown Sugar Bacon

A quick and addictive side dish featuring green beans coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with bacon and brown sugar, perfect for any meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 260
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bacon and Sauce
  • 6 oz chopped bacon Regular cut bacon works best.
  • 2 tbsp butter For a silky finish.
  • 2 cloves garlic Should be chopped or minced.
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar Light brown sugar is classic; dark for deeper flavor.
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce Use low sodium if sensitive to salt.
  • 1 pinch black pepper For seasoning.
Green Beans
  • 1 lb fresh green beans Fresh is preferable for texture.

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet until browned and crisp. Scoop bacon out and leave a couple tablespoons of drippings in the pan.
  2. Add butter and garlic to the drippings. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant but do not burn.
  3. Add green beans. If using fresh, sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until bright and tender-crisp. If canned, just warm them through.
  4. Sprinkle in brown sugar, soy sauce, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar melts and everything is glossy.
  5. Add the bacon back into the pan and toss. Let it bubble for 2 to 3 minutes so the sauce clings to the beans.

Notes

For crispy bacon, mix most in near the end and sprinkle a little on top before serving. You can also bake the dish until bubbly if desired.