Description

This Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans recipe combines crisp-tender green beans with savory crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar glaze, and aromatic sautéed onions and garlic. It’s a delicious, easy-to-make side dish perfect for any meal, bringing a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and buttery flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

6 slices Bacon (cooked until crispy)
2 lbs. Fresh Green Beans (trimmed)
3 Tablespoons Butter
1/2 Onion (finely diced)
2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
1/4 to 1/2 cup Brown Sugar (depending on sweetness preference)
1 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 to 1 teaspoon Salt

Instructions

Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the trimmed green beans. Boil for 2-4 minutes until they are bright green and crisp-tender, taking care not to overcook them. Drain and immediately transfer the green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color. Once cooled, drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy, about 4-5 minutes on each side depending on your preferred crispiness. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, cut the bacon into bite-size pieces, keeping the bacon grease in the skillet.
Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Add the butter to the skillet with bacon grease and let it melt over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until soft and golden brown, about 9-12 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add Green Beans, Bacon, and Brown Sugar: Add the blanched green beans and cooked bacon to the skillet, tossing them together with the onions and garlic. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the mixture and stir until the green beans are well coated and the sugar melts into a glossy glaze, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and Keep Warm: Transfer the glazed green beans to a serving dish. To keep them warm until serving, cover the dish with foil and place in a 200°F oven.

Notes

Blanching the green beans helps retain their bright green color and crisp texture.
Adjust the amount of brown sugar based on your desired level of sweetness.
Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon to keep excess grease from making the dish too oily.
For a less sweet version, reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup or omit it entirely.
If you prefer, you can substitute butter with olive oil for a slightly different flavor profile.
To keep green beans warm longer, you can use a warming tray or slow cooker on low instead of an oven.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: brown sugar green beans, bacon green beans, sautéed green beans, sweet and savory side dish, easy green bean recipe, holiday green beans