Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Introduction

Today, I'm sharing on of my favorite recipes that, somehow, has never made the blog. I've been making this bacon wrapped green bean bundle recipe for at least 10 years now. It's one of my top go-to side items for a potluck, and for good reason: I very rarely bring leftovers home! I think this one is going to become one of your favorites too.

I can't explain why canned green beans, bacon, butter, and brown sugar work so well together. It's a strange combo, but they just work. The smokiness of the bacon plays really well off of the sweetness in the brown sugar glaze. The green beans add a little bit of freshness to the very rich side dish. It all combines together to make a really fun and addictive dish! Seriously, try to eat just one.

This recipe can easily be used as a side item or an appetizer. For an appetizer, simply use toothpicks to serve bundles individually. I've used this recipe for both courses over the years.

Why canned green beans?

I've tried making this recipe with both fresh and canned green beans. Over time, I've found that it works so much better with the canned variety. I know that sounds strange, but the texture/size of the canned variety makes the bundles the perfect bite-sized party appetizer.

Cut canned green beans fit the bacon slices almost perfectly. Since canned green beans are already pre-cooked, there's no need to over-cook the bundles to ensure that the green beans are done. They're much more tender and make the bundles so easy to eat.

You can use either French green beans or cut green beans (both in cans) for this recipe. But, I've found the cut green beans are easier to work with.

Variations

This is an easy recipe to make your own! There are a ton of different variations, including...

• Using fresh green beans
• Using another vegetable, like asparagus, sliced carrots, or mushrooms
• Adding honey to the glaze instead of brown sugar
• Using prosciutto instead of bacon
• Adding flavor depth by sprinking bundles with fresh minced onion and/or garlic before covering in glaze
• Use a thick-cut bacon to make the bacon the real star of the show
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper for an additional flavor kick. I've even seen variations that added soy sauce to the glaze!

Step-by-Step Instructions

To make this recipe, you'll need just a few simple ingredients...

1. Prep Work

Do a little bit of prep work by dividing your bacon slices into thirds, draining the green beans, and dumping the beans into a bowl.

2. Roll The Bundles

Take 5-6 green beans and place on the end of a piece of bacon strip. Roll those green beans into a bundle.

Place these bundles in a single layer in a glass baking dish. It is important that they are in a single layer so they all brown well. It also helps to place the bundles seam side down.

3. Cover in brown sugar butter glaze

Melt a stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add ⅔ cup brown sugar and ½ teaspoon garlic powder; stir well.

Pour glaze over the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles in the baking pan, making sure to cover each one.

4. Bake bundles

Bake the bundles in an oven at 425 degrees for 40 minutes, until tops of the bacon start to become browned and crispy.

And that's all it takes to make one of the most delectable appetizers you can imagine!

Green Bean Bundles FAQs

Video: Bacon Wrapped Green Beans