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You know those side dishes that steal the show? These Bacon Brown Sugar Green Beans with Soy Sauce, also known as “Crack Green Beans”, are exactly that. Sweet, salty, and smoky with just a touch of umami, they’re the kind of green beans that make people come back for seconds (and thirds).
why you’ll love this Recipe
Isn’t it funny how recipes make their way back around? Crack Green Beans took off on TikTok, and I had to smile—because I’ve been making a version of them for years! My sister-in-law shared her recipe with me not long after I was married. Hers had brown sugar, bacon, and pecans, and it was always a hit at family dinners.
Over time, I started tweaking the recipe to make it my own. A splash of soy sauce added a layer of savory depth, and a touch of balsamic balanced the sweetness perfectly. The result it a dish with the perfect balance of sweet, salty, smoky, and just a little spicy if you like. Turns out, it’s pretty much the same dish everyone’s raving about online now!
When the holidays roll around, I’ll sometimes toss in toasted pecans or sliced almonds for a festive touch and a little crunch. But most of the year, I keep it simple with bacon and onions, because when something tastes this good, it doesn’t need much dressing up. It’s comfort food at its best, and proof that the best recipes never really go out of style!
These crack green beans are seriously irresistible!
❥ Flavor: Just cook the bacon, stir in the sauce, and let the green beans simmer until tender and glossy. It’s simple, fast, and tastes like you spent all day on it.
❥ Picky Eater Approved: The mix of sweet brown sugar, salty soy sauce, and smoky bacon makes these green beans seriously irresistible! Even the picky eaters will be impressed.
❥ Versatile: Easy enough for weeknights but special enough for holidays, this side fits right in next to roasted chicken, ham, or turkey.
❥ Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep or cook the beans a day ahead, just reheat and serve for a stress-free side dish.
Crack Green Bean Recipe Ingredients
- Bacon: Dice the bacon into small pieces so every bite gets a little smoky, salty flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Onion adds a depth of flavor to the green beans!
- Garlic: Freshly minced for the best flavor!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce has both umami and tang, so don’t skip it!
- Balsamic Vinegar: For a touch of acidity to balance the brown sugar glaze.
- Soy Sauce: The secret ingredient that adds savory depth!
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes the sauce to make the glaze.
- Black Pepper & Red Pepper Flakes: Add warmth and a little kick! Feel free to adjust to your spice level.
- Canned Green Beans (Del Monte): I also go for this brand, but your favorite will work. They’re tender, flavorful, and hold up beautifully to the sauce. This keeps this recipe super pantry-friendly. You can use fresh if you like. Both ways are delicious.
- Salt: Add at the end if needed, depending on your beans and bacon. Taste and add to taste!
How To Make Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Crisp the Bacon
In a skillet over medium heat. Add diced bacon and yellow onion and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes, or until desired crispiness. During the last minute of cooking, add minced garlic.
Step 2 | Make the Glaze
Turn down to medium-low heat. Add the Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the brown sugar is melted.
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Step 3 | Combine with Green Beans & Cook
Add in drained green beans. Stir gently to coat in the sauce. Add 2-4 teaspoons of the green bean liquid, if desired. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, gently stirring half way through.
Taste and add salt if desired. Serve warm.
Variations of Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans
- Fresh Green Beans: If you prefer, you can use fresh green beans. Just use about 1 pound!
- Add Nuts: Toasted pecans or almonds make a great addition during the holidays.
- Make It Vegetarian: Skip the bacon and sauté onions in butter or olive oil. If you have it, you can add a few drops of liquid smoke for that same depth.
- Add More Heat: Add a dash of hot sauce or extra red pepper flakes for more spice.
Crack Green Bean FAQs
I recommend them because they have the perfect texture and flavor balance for this recipe. Other brands can work, but avoid low-sodium or “no salt added” versions unless you plan to adjust the seasoning.
They’re the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and savory, with a glossy, caramelized sauce that clings to every bite. The brown sugar and soy sauce balance each other beautifully, creating a flavor that’s rich and addictive (hence the nickname “crack” green beans!).
What To Serve With Crack Green Beans
These green beans pair beautifully with roasted or grilled meats like garlic herb turkey tenderloin, BBQ baked chicken, or a honey baked ham.
They also go great with classic comfort foods like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or sweet potato casserole. Trust me, whether it’s a weeknight dinner or Thanksgiving feast, they’ll fit right in!
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Crack Green Beans Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon - diced (I cut with kitchen scissors into bacon lardons about ¼ inch)
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic - or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon black pepper - or to taste
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes - or to taste
- 2 -14.5 ounce cans of cut green beans - drained, reserving some of the liquid (about ½ cup)
- kosher - or sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-heat. Add diced bacon and yellow onion and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes, or until desired crispiness. During the last minute of cooking add minced garlic.
- Turn down to medium-low heat. Add the Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the brown sugar is melted.
- Add in drained green beans. Stir gently to coat in the sauce. Add 2-4 teaspoons of the green bean liquid, if desired.
- Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, gently stirring half way through.
- Taste and add salt if desired.
- Serve warm.
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Nutrition
Notes
- During the fall and holidays add toasted pecan pieces or sliced almond for extra crunch
- This can also be made with Fresh Green Beans. About 1 pounds of green beans.
