If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, flavorful side dish that practically makes itself, you’re going to love this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe. I absolutely love how the smoky bacon and tender green beans soak up savory goodness in the slow cooker, making weeknight dinners or holiday spreads a total breeze. Stick around — I’ll share my favorite tips to get this right every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Just toss everything in the crock pot and let it do its magic — no babysitting required.
- Flavor-Packed: The bacon and Worcestershire sauce add a depth you won’t expect from a simple veggie side.
- Versatile: Great for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or holiday meals.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This keeps beautifully in the fridge and reheats without losing flavor or texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients come together like an old friend’s timely hug — comforting, satisfying, and just right. You’ll find that fresh green beans paired with savory bacon and a splash of broth create flawless, tender veggies without any stress.
- Bacon: Use thick-cut for extra smokiness and texture; don’t skimp here, it’s the star flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth; dicing it small helps it melt into the beans.
- Garlic: Fresh is best — minced really brings the dish alive.
- Fresh Green Beans: Trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces for even cooking; feel free to swap with pre-trimmed to save time.
- Vegetable Broth: Adds moisture and keeps the beans juicy without watering down flavor.
- Butter: For richness and that silky finish everyone loves.
- Brown Sugar (optional): Just a touch balances the savory with a hint of sweetness.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A game-changer — it’s where those deep umami notes come from.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, but remember the bacon adds saltiness, so add these gradually.
Variations
I like to tweak this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe depending on the season or mood — there’s always room for your own twist! Don’t hesitate to play around with whatever’s on hand.
- Ham or Sausage: I swapped bacon for sliced link sausage once, and my family went crazy for the smoky, meaty twist.
- Canned Green Beans: If fresh isn’t available, canned works fine; just cut the cooking time in half since they’re already cooked.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of crushed red pepper adds a surprising but welcome heat I discovered on a chilly evening.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme or rosemary sprinkled in during the last half hour brightens the dish beautifully.
How to Make Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Cook Your Bacon Until Crispy
Start by frying the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. I like to use a cast-iron pan for extra even browning. Once done, scoop the bacon out and drain it on paper towels — save that luscious bacon grease in the pan, we’ll use it next. Pro tip: don’t rush this step; crisp bacon gives you that perfect contrast to tender green beans.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
In the same skillet with bacon grease, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook them together for about 3 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant — this builds the base flavor that infuses the whole dish. If you accidentally brown the garlic too much, it can get bitter, so keep it gentle and watchful.
Step 3: Add Everything to the Crock Pot
Transfer the cooked onions and garlic into your slow cooker. Next, add the trimmed and cut green beans, vegetable broth, butter, brown sugar (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a gentle stir to combine. Cooking on high for about 2 ½ hours will get your green beans tender but still vibrant — just how I like ’em.
Step 4: Stir in the Bacon and Finish Cooking
After the initial cooking time, toss the crispy bacon back in and cook for another 30 minutes. This lets the bacon flavor deepen into the beans without getting soggy. When the time’s up, your kitchen will smell amazing and your Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe will be ready to serve.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Trim Your Green Beans: Taking a few extra minutes to trim tough ends really makes the texture better — I promise it’s worth it.
- Don’t Skip the Bacon Grease: That leftover fat in the pan is liquid gold for sautéing your onions and garlic—it deepens every bite.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives a brightness canned or pre-minced just can’t match, especially in slow-cooked dishes.
- Add Bacon Last: Adding bacon too early makes it soft and less crispy; keep it until the last 30 minutes for the best texture.
How to Serve Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little chopped fresh parsley or a tiny handful of toasted slivered almonds on top for color and crunch. It adds a fresh note that contrasts nicely with the smoky richness of the beans and bacon.
Side Dishes
This slow cooker green beans recipe pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, meatloaf, or a simple baked potato. On holidays, I love serving it alongside mashed potatoes and honey-glazed ham — a classic combo that gets rave reviews every time.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served these green beans insideouille-stuffed mini bell peppers or layered them under a warm, cheesy gratin topping — guests always ask for seconds, and it feels extra special without a lot of extra effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they stay fresh for up to 5 days. Before sealing, make sure the beans have cooled to room temperature to avoid sogginess. I’ve taken these leftovers to potlucks and everyone was impressed that they still tasted freshly made!
Freezing
You can freeze these green beans for up to three months — just cool completely, then pack in freezer-safe containers or bags. When I freeze leftovers, I like to portion them out in meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go convenience.
Reheating
Reheat gently either in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. I find adding a teaspoon of butter or a splash of broth helps revive the luscious texture. If you want, pop them back into the crock pot on high for 30 minutes for an easy warm-up that keeps flavors vibrant.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen green beans in this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen green beans can be used; just add them without thawing and expect the cooking time to be roughly the same. However, frozen beans might release more water, so you might want to reduce the broth slightly to avoid a soupy result.
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Is it necessary to add butter and brown sugar?
The butter adds a nice richness that balances the acidity and saltiness, while the brown sugar gives a subtle sweetness that complements the smoky bacon. Both are optional, so if you prefer a lighter or less sweet side, feel free to skip or reduce them according to your taste.
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How long can Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe be left in the slow cooker after cooking?
Once cooking is complete, it’s best to serve within an hour or so for optimal texture and flavor. Leaving green beans in the crock pot on warm for too long can make them mushy, so if you have to hold them, consider transferring to a covered dish.
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Can I make this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe vegetarian?
You can easily omit the bacon and replace the vegetable broth with mushroom broth for added umami. Sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil or butter instead of bacon grease. While the smoky bacon flavor will be missing, you’ll still end up with a tasty green bean side.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it always delivers that comforting, smoky flavor without fuss. I used to struggle with green beans coming out bland or overcooked until I discovered the magic of slow-cooking them with bacon and a few simple ingredients. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this as much as my family does — it really is a winner that’s easy enough to become a regular in your meal rotation.
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 is a delicious and easy slow cooker dish featuring fresh green beans cooked with crispy bacon, onions, garlic, and savory seasonings. Perfect as a hearty side, this recipe offers tender green beans infused with smoky bacon flavor and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, ideal for comforting family meals or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Liquids and Fats
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped bacon until it becomes crispy. Once done, remove the bacon from the pan using a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the rendered bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the bacon grease in the skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly softened, then transfer this mixture into the crockpot.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Into the crockpot, add the trimmed and cut green beans, vegetable broth, butter, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook the mixture on high in the crockpot for 2 ½ hours, allowing the green beans to become tender and absorb the flavors.
- Add Bacon and Continue Cooking: After 2 ½ hours, stir in the crispy bacon bits and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes on high to meld the flavors together.
- Serve: Once done, give everything a final stir and serve hot as a flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Storing: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat, or 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 3 months.
- Trimming the Green Beans: Trim any stems and tough ends of fresh green beans before cooking, or use pre-trimmed fresh green beans for convenience.
- Canned Green Beans: You can substitute with 4 cans of drained green beans. Omit the broth and cook for 1.5 hours instead of 3 hours since canned beans are already cooked.
- Alternative Meats: This recipe also works well with ham or sliced link sausage instead of bacon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
