If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful side that will have everyone asking for seconds, you’ve got to try this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe. I absolutely love how the smoky bacon transforms simple green beans into something downright irresistible. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a holiday gathering, this recipe makes your life easier and your meal tastier — and I’m so excited to share the secrets that make it a family favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Toss everything in the crock pot and relax while your kitchen fills with amazing smells.
- Bacon + Green Beans Magic: The crispy bacon adds perfect smoky crunch and flavor that elevates this humble veggie side.
- Customizable and Versatile: Add a little brown sugar or Worcestershire sauce to suit your taste buds perfectly.
- Reliable for Any Occasion: From weeknight dinners to holiday feasts, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When I make this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe, I find that simple, fresh ingredients work best together. The smoky bacon cooks down and mingles with the sweetness of the onion and the subtle richness of butter, creating the perfect cozy flavor combo.
- Bacon: Choose thick-cut for crispier texture or regular slices for that classic bacon flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the mix; fresh is best but frozen diced can work in a pinch.
- Garlic: Minced garlic gives a subtle punch without overpowering the green beans.
- Fresh Green Beans: Trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces for even cooking; I like to buy pre-trimmed when I’m short on time.
- Vegetable Broth: Adds moisture and a mild savory base; you could swap chicken broth if you prefer.
- Butter: Because everything is better with butter — it enriches the sauce and adds creaminess.
- Brown Sugar (optional): A touch of sweetness balances the smokiness and rounds out the flavors.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami depth that you might not expect but will love.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste; seasoning is key to bring it all together.
Variations
I love customizing this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe depending on the season or who I’m cooking for. Don’t hesitate to experiment; that’s how you make a dish truly your own.
- Use Ham or Sausage: I once swapped the bacon for sliced smoked sausage and my family went crazy for the bold meaty flavor.
- Add Mushrooms: For an earthy twist, toss in some sliced mushrooms halfway through cooking.
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle in a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Make it Vegan: Omit the bacon and butter, use olive oil and smoked paprika for that smoky flavor.
How to Make Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Crisp the Bacon
Start by cooking the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy — trust me, this step is worth every second. You’ll want to remove the bacon and set it aside on paper towels to drain, but don’t toss out the rendered bacon fat because that’s pure gold for the next step!
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic in Bacon Fat
Using the bacon grease left in the pan, sauté your diced onion and minced garlic for about three minutes until fragrant and softened. This small step elevates the flavor dramatically — if you skip it, you’ll definitely notice the difference.
Step 3: Combine Everything in the Crock Pot
Add your sautéed onions and garlic to the crock pot along with the trimmed green beans, vegetable broth, butter, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Give everything a gentle stir to combine without breaking up the beans too much.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cook on high for about 2½ hours. You’ll find the beans become tender but still have that satisfying bite, soaking up all the smoky, buttery goodness in the pot.
Step 5: Add Bacon and Finish Cooking
About 30 minutes before serving, stir the cooked bacon back into the crock pot. This lets the bacon flavor meld throughout without going soggy — crispy bits here and there are what you want! Then just let it finish cooking and get ready to serve.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Bacon Rendered Fat: It adds unmatched flavor to the onions and garlic, so sauté them in the bacon fat instead of oil or butter.
- Trim Green Beans Properly: I discovered that trimming off just the tough ends helps the green beans cook evenly and keeps the texture just right.
- Stir Gently: When mixing ingredients in the crock pot, be gentle so you don’t break the beans apart and end up with mush.
- Layer Bacon at the End: Adding bacon late keeps its crispy texture — a crucial step I learned after making it all soggy the first time!
How to Serve Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle in a little freshly chopped parsley or green onions right before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor—it really brightens the dish! Some grated Parmesan can be a lovely addition too, especially if you like a bit of richness.
Side Dishes
My go-to pairings include creamy mashed potatoes or buttery cornbread and a juicy roast chicken or ham. The smoky green beans balance rich mains perfectly, making every bite a delight.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I like to serve this dish in a rustic ceramic dish, topped with a few extra crispy bacon bits and a sprinkle of toasted almonds for crunch. It makes the presentation feel special but still cozy and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually keep great for up to five days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers taste fantastic the next day.
Freezing
Freezing this dish works well too. I let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It freezes nicely for up to three months, making it perfect for batch-cooking or holiday prep.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming leftovers in a skillet over medium heat to bring back some crispness to the bacon. Using the microwave works fine too, but the skillet method just tastes better and keeps the green beans from getting mushy.
FAQs
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Can I use canned green beans in this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe?
Absolutely! Canned green beans work well and can save prep time. Just drain them and omit the vegetable broth since canned beans are already cooked and moist. Cook them for about 1.5 hours instead of the full 3 hours to avoid overcooking.
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Is it okay to cook this recipe on low instead of high?
Yes, you can cook it on low for about 5-6 hours if that fits better with your schedule. Just keep an eye on the beans to make sure they don’t get too soft. Adding the bacon near the end is just as important when cooking low.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Definitely! Skip the bacon and butter, then use olive oil with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to add smokiness. Vegetable broth keeps it flavorful, and you’ll still end up with tasty green beans.
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How do I keep the bacon crispy when adding it back to the slow cooker?
Adding the bacon only in the last 30 minutes of cook time helps it retain some crispiness. If you add it too early, it can get soggy. You can also sprinkle extra cooked bacon on top just before serving for maximum crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it turns a simple vegetable into something that truly shines at any meal. I’m always amazed at how easy it is yet how impressive it tastes. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the delicious smoky flavors, hands-off cooking, and happy faces around your table. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become part of your regular rotation, just like it did in mine!
Print
Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot Green Beans recipe combines tender green beans with savory bacon, onions, and garlic, slow-cooked in a flavorful broth with butter and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect as a comforting side dish, it’s easy to prepare and ideal for busy days when you want a delicious, hands-off vegetable dish.
Ingredients
Meat and Dairy
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- ¼ cup butter
Vegetables and Aromatics
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it becomes crispy. Once done, remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook for about 3 minutes, until the onion is soft and fragrant. Then transfer this mixture to the crockpot.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Into the slow cooker, add the fresh green beans, vegetable broth, butter, brown sugar (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook Green Beans: Cover and cook on high for 2 ½ hours until the green beans are tender but still hold some bite.
- Add Bacon and Finish Cooking: After the initial cooking time, stir in the crispy bacon pieces and continue cooking on high for an additional 30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Once finished, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm as a flavorful side dish to your favorite main course.
Notes
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. Alternatively, warm in the crockpot on high for 30 minutes until heated through.
- Freezing: Cool completely and freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to three months.
- Trimming the Green Beans: Remove tough stems and ends before cooking. Pre-trimmed fresh green beans save prep time.
- Canned Green Beans: Use 4 cans of drained green beans instead of fresh, omit the broth, and reduce cooking time to 1.5 hours since the beans are already cooked.
- Variations: Substitute ham or sliced link sausage for bacon for a different flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
