Easy Oven-Baked Bacon Wrapped Green Beans: Your New Go-To Flavorful Side Dish
Imagine a side dish that’s both elegant and incredibly easy to make, a perfect blend of savory, smoky, and fresh flavors. That’s exactly what you get with these delicious **Bacon Wrapped Green Beans**. In just 20 minutes, with only three simple ingredients, you can transform ordinary green beans into an extraordinary culinary experience. The tender-crisp texture of fresh green beans, embraced by the irresistible savory crunch of thick-cut bacon, seasoned to perfection, creates a harmony of flavors that will delight your palate and impress your guests. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight addition or a show-stopping holiday side, these oven-baked delights are your answer.
Why This Simple Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Recipe Works Wonders
This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a triumph of flavor and texture that makes it a consistent crowd-pleaser. The magic happens when the salty, fatty goodness of thick-cut bacon caramelizes around the vibrant, slightly sweet green beans, creating a delightful contrast that is hard to resist. The high oven temperature ensures the bacon becomes perfectly crispy and golden brown, while the green beans retain their desirable tender-crisp bite – never soggy, always satisfying.
It’s a simple technique that yields surprisingly complex flavors, making it a favorite for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs. Forget plain steamed or boiled green beans; wrapping them in a savory jacket of bacon elevates them to a gourmet level, turning a humble vegetable into a star side dish or even a fantastic appetizer. This method is also a brilliant way to introduce more vegetables into your meals, as the irresistible bacon wrapper makes them appealing to even the pickiest eaters. It’s truly an elevated version of classic roasted green beans.
Only 3 Key Ingredients for These Flavorful Bundles
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list, proving that you don’t need a pantry full of exotic items to create something truly delicious. You’ll find all measurements, detailed ingredient lists, and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Let’s dive a little deeper into choosing the best ingredients to ensure your bacon-wrapped green beans turn out perfectly every time:
- FRESH GREEN BEANS: While frozen green beans might seem like a convenient shortcut, fresh green beans are truly the secret to achieving that ideal tender-crisp texture in this recipe. Their natural snap holds up beautifully against the bacon’s richness. When selecting, look for vibrant, firm beans. Always remember to trim the tough, stringy ends before bundling. If you absolutely must use frozen, ensure they are completely thawed first and thoroughly patted dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture, which can lead to soggy results rather than crispy perfection.
- THICK-CUT BACON: The choice of bacon significantly impacts the final dish. We highly recommend using good quality, thick-cut, center-cut bacon. Thicker slices provide more substance and a better wrap, preventing them from crisping too quickly before the beans are cooked through. Thin bacon, on the other hand, can become overly brittle and sometimes even burn before the green beans are adequately tender. The rich, savory fat from the bacon renders down, infusing the green beans with incredible flavor as they bake. Look for a good balance of meat and fat.
- MONTREAL STEAK SEASONING: This seasoning blend is a fantastic choice for its robust mix of salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and various spices, which perfectly complements both the bacon and the green beans. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite flavor profiles! A simple sprinkle of just salt and freshly ground black pepper can be wonderfully effective. For a touch of heat, try a pinch of red pepper flakes. Garlic powder and onion powder are always welcome additions. You could also opt for a brown sugar and paprika mix for a sweet and smoky glaze, or a squeeze of lemon juice and a dash of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a brighter, fresher taste. The key is to enhance, not overpower, the natural deliciousness of the bacon and green beans.
How to Make Perfect Bacon Wrapped Green Beans in Your Oven
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this delicious recipe. For the complete printable version, with all measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even cooking from the start.
- Place a wire rack over a sturdy baking sheet. This setup is crucial for allowing air to circulate around the bacon bundles, promoting even crisping on all sides and preventing them from sitting in rendered fat.
- Season your bacon strips generously with Montreal steak seasoning on one side. This seasoning will infuse directly into the bacon and, subsequently, the green beans as they cook.
- Grab a small bundle of green beans (typically about 7-9 beans works best for a neat wrap) and place them at one end of a seasoned bacon strip. Make sure the seasoned side of the bacon is facing up, ready to roll. Neatly roll the green beans tightly with the bacon, ensuring they are snug. Place each completed bundle seam-side down on the prepared wire rack over the baking sheet. Repeat this process for all remaining green bean bundles.
- Bake in your preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them; the exact timing may vary slightly depending on your oven and bacon thickness. The goal is for the bacon to be crispy and the green beans to be tender-crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
No, you do not have to blanch the green beans before starting this recipe. The 20-minute bake time is usually sufficient to cook the green beans to a perfect tender-crisp state alongside the bacon. However, if you prefer your green beans to be softer and more on the tender side (as opposed to having a slight crunch), you absolutely can blanch them briefly (for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then immediately plunge into ice water) before wrapping them. Just be sure to pat them very dry afterward.
Absolutely! These green bean bundles are an excellent make-ahead option, which makes them perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights. You can prepare and wrap the green bean bundles up to a day (24 hours) ahead of time. Store them neatly in an air-tight container or a large zip-top bag in the refrigerator. Before baking, allow them to rest at room temperature for approximately 20-25 minutes. This helps them cook more evenly and ensures the green beans aren’t too cold when they hit the hot oven.
Store any cooled leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat them, place the bundles on a baking sheet and warm them in a 375°F (190°C) oven until they are heated through and the bacon re-crisps, usually about 10-15 minutes. For an even quicker and crispier reheat, you can also use an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until desired crispiness is achieved. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bacon soggy.
For ultra-crispy bacon, try pre-baking your bacon for about 5-7 minutes before wrapping the green beans. It won’t be fully cooked but will have rendered some fat and started to crisp. Alternatively, after the initial bake, you can briefly place the bundles under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remember, the wire rack setup is already key to crispiness!
While green beans are classic, this method works wonderfully with other vegetables. Asparagus spears or slender carrot sticks are excellent alternatives. Just ensure they are cut to a similar size as green beans for even cooking and wrapping.
Delightful Serving Suggestions for Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
These versatile bacon-wrapped green beans can be paired with just about any main course you have in mind, making them a fantastic addition to almost any meal. They effortlessly bridge the gap between casual and elegant dining.
- Holiday Feasts: They are an absolute showstopper alongside classic holiday mains such as roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a prime rib roast. Their festive look and incredible flavor make them a staple for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
- Elegant Dinners: Pair them with fancier meals like a perfectly cooked steak, stuffed chicken breast, or seared salmon for an elevated dining experience. They add a touch of sophistication without requiring extra effort.
- Everyday Meals: Don’t reserve them just for special occasions! These bundles are also fantastic with simpler weeknight dinners such as meatloaf, roasted chicken, or pork chops. They add a gourmet touch to your regular rotation.
- Appetizer Option: Serve them on their own as a delightful finger food appetizer. Arrange them artfully on a platter, perhaps with a small bowl of a dipping sauce like a honey-mustard or a balsamic glaze for an extra touch.
However you choose to enjoy them, these bacon-wrapped green beans are guaranteed to be a hit!
More Irresistible Bacon-Wrapped Delights
If you’re a fan of the glorious combination of bacon and… well, everything, then you’ll love these other fantastic bacon-wrapped recipes. They offer that same winning blend of savory goodness and satisfying textures:
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Carrots
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
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Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh green beans ends trimmed
- 1 pound center-cut bacon thick-cut
- Montreal steak seasoning to taste
Things You’ll Need
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Baking sheet
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Wire cooling rack
Before You Begin
- Opt for fresh green beans instead of frozen for this recipe. Be sure to trim the ends off. In a pinch, you can get away with using frozen beans but be sure you allow them to thaw first and thoroughly pat them dry before beginning.
- We chose Montreal steak seasoning, but your favorite combination of seasonings will also work just fine.
- You do not have to blanch the green beans before beginning for this recipe. You can, however, if you prefer your green beans more on the tender side as opposed to having a little crunch.
- You can prepare the green bean bundles a day ahead of time and store them in an air-tight container or large zip-top bag kept in the refrigerator. Allow them to rest at room temperature for around 20-25 minutes before baking.
- Store cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a 375F oven until warmed through. You can also reheat them in an air fryer.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 F.
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Place a wire rack over a baking sheet.
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Season bacon strips with Montreal steak seasoning.
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Grab a bundle of green beans (about 7-9 beans) and place at the end of a strip of bacon with the seasoned side facing up, and roll up. Place on wire rack over baking sheet. Repeat for remaining bundles.
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Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.