Those from the southern states of America know that one of the best dishes to come out of the region is southern crack green beans. These flavorful, savory beans have been beloved for generations and are just as popular today. The tangy yet sweet taste comes from a combination of brown sugar and ketchup and crispy bacon gives the dish its finishing touch. Crack green beans are a great side dish to serve at any family get-together.
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If you're looking for a delicious side dish to add some sizzle to your next meal, look no further than this southern crack green beans recipe! With smoky bacon and tangy brown sugar sauce, this vegetables-with-a-twist is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Not only does it offer up big flavor in every bite, but it's also incredibly easy to put together with just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Get ready for everyone at the table to actually get excited about the green beans!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This southern crack green beans recipe is the perfect side for your next family dinner. The combination of canned green beans, bacon, and brown sugar will have your mouth watering from the moment you start cooking. It's flavorful, savory, and just a little bit smoky - guaranteed to please your entire family! Here are a few reasons why you'll love this recipe:
- It requires minimal effort and time - all you need is a baking dish and 40 minutes start-to-finish. Spend less time in the kitchen and more around the dinner table with this easy and delicious dish.
- The combination of sweet, savory, smoky flavors makes these green beans irresistible.
- You can easily customize the recipe based on what ingredients you have available.
What You’ll Need To Make Crack Green Beans
Green beans: Green beans are the star of this dish. For a quick and easy side, I recommend using canned green beans. However, you can use fresh or frozen green beans if desired.
Bacon: Bacon adds a smoky note to the dish and makes it even more irresistible. A few strips of bacon should do the trick!
Ketchup: Ketchup brings a sweet and tangy flavor to this side dish.
Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness and helps to caramelize the bacon and green beans.
Soy sauce: Soy sauce gives the dish a slightly salty flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: A little bit of Worcestershire sauce really brings out the flavor of the dish.
Butter: Butter helps to bind all of the sauce ingredients together and gives the dish a richer flavor.
Garlic powder: Garlic powder brings a subtle but delicious flavor to the dish.
Onion powder: Onion powder adds a savory flavor and helps to balance out the sweetness of the brown sugar and ketchup.
Salt and pepper: Season your green beans with salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Crack Green Beans: Step-By-Step Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients ready, let's get started on making this delicious southern crack green beans recipe! Here are the steps you'll need to follow:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 8x10 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Cook the bacon until crispy and then crumble it into small pieces. For quick and easy bacon, I recommend cooking in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until the mixture is well combined.
Step 4: Drain the green beans and add to the sauce mixture. Toss to coat.
Step 5: Add the green beans and sauce mixture to the baking dish and cover with foil.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is thick and bubbly.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and top with the crumbled bacon. Serve warm.
Tips For Making The Best Crack Green Beans
This dish is already quick and easy, but here are a few tips to help you make the best crack green beans:
- Use fresh or frozen green beans instead of canned for even better flavor. If you are using fresh or frozen green beans, be sure to cook them until tender before adding to the dish.
- For an extra kick, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- If you want a smokier flavor, use your favorite BBQ sauce in place of the ketchup.
- If you want a creamier texture, add some sour cream or cream cheese to the sauce mixture.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the bacon for diced mushrooms.
Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
This side dish pairs well with just about anything, from steak to fried chicken. Here are a few other serving suggestions:
- Serve over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Serve with roasted vegetables for a vegetarian dinner.
- Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish.
For a variation, try adding diced red bell pepper to the green beans and sauce.
You can also substitute the ketchup for barbecue sauce or honey mustard if desired.
If you don't have brown sugar handy, you can substitute maple syrup or honey.
Enjoy your delicious crack green beans! They are sure to be a hit!
How To Store Leftovers
Leftover crack green beans can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through. Enjoy!
You can also freeze your leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
A: Yes, you can make crack green beans on the stovetop! Simply cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then add all of the other ingredients and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce is thick and bubbly. You can also cook this recipe in a crock pot if you prefer.
Q: Can I use fresh or frozen green beans?
A: Absolutely! Fresh or frozen green beans will work great in this recipe. Just be sure to cook them until tender before adding them to the dish.
Q: How can I make this dish lighter?
A: To lighten up your crack green beans, you can reduce the amount of butter, sugar, and ketchup used in the sauce.
Q: What should I serve with crack green beans?
A: Crack green beans are delicious served with grilled chicken, steak, fish, or roasted vegetables. They also pair well with mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
Staub Ceramic Baking Dish: This is my favorite baking dish. It’s the perfect size for making crack green beans and it looks beautiful as a serving dish too.
GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer With Dehydrator: This is a great budget-friendly air fryer. It's perfect for cooking up a batch of crispy bacon.
Glass Mixing Bowls: These glass mixing bowls are super versatile. You can use them for mixing, storing, and serving. In this recipe, they can be used for mixing the green beans with the sauce ingredients.
📖 Recipe
Crack Green Beans
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 42 ounces canned green beans
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 8x10 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the bacon until crispy and then crumble it into small pieces. For quick and easy bacon, I recommend cooking in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until the mixture is well combined.
- Drain the green beans and add to the sauce mixture. Toss to coat.
- Add the green beans and sauce mixture to the baking dish and cover with foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is thick and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with the crumbled bacon. Serve warm.
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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