These Smothered Green Beans feature tender green beans smothered with smoky bacon and a sweet-savory sauce of brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Ideal for the holiday table or a weeknight supper, it has everyone coming back for seconds. This is so easy to make and so delish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Smothered Green Beans are the ideal combination of sweet and salty, with tender green beans, crunchy bacon, and a deep, caramelized sauce. This is an easy-to-make, adaptable dish, perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks or weeknight dinners. The sweet, buttery brown sugar glaze, spiked with soy sauce and garlic, turns ordinary green beans, canned, into a very of very delicious cuisine. It’s a crowd-pleaser that complements a wide range of main courses.
Key Ingredients
Green Beans: The most important component of this dish. Canned green beans are an easy way to keep it simple, although you can certainly use fresh or frozen green beans instead.
Bacon: Provides a smoky, salty crunch that balances the sweet sauce.
Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness, and caramelizes while baking for a syrupy glaze.
Butter: Forms a rich foundation for the sauce, keeping it clinging to the green beans and bacon.
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Contributes that bright depth and a touch of umami, cutting right through the sweetness of the brown sugar.
Garlic Powder: Adds depth and umami flavor as well as a nice aromatic warmth.
Full list of ingredients with amounts and steps is in the recipe card at the bottom of the page
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Instructions:
Preparation
Preheat the Oven Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps with even cooking of the dish.
Prepare the Baking Dish:
In an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish, pour in drained green beans.
Spread them out in an even layer so that the sauce and bacon cover each bite.
Cooking the Bacon
Cook the Bacon:
In a large skillet set over a medium flame, fry 6 to 8 strips of bacon until they’re nearly cooked through but still bendy (5 to 7 minutes). The bacon should be brown but not too crispy.
Drain and Chop:
Transfer the bacon from the skillet to paper towels to drain the excess fat.
When cool, chop the bacon into pieces and sprinkle evenly over the green beans in the baking dish.
Making the Sauce
Melt the Butter:
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a microwave safe bowl or small saucepan. If microwaving, heat in short intervals and stir until totally melted.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a medium bowl, combine and whisk:
Melted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
Combining and Baking
Pour the Sauce:
Drizzle sauce evenly over green beans and bacon in baking dish.
Fry for about 30 seconds, then use a spatula or spoon to stir gently and make sure the green beans are evenly coated with the sauce.
Bake:
Transfer the dish into the hot oven and bake 40 minutes.
The sauce will thicken and caramelize a little as you bake while the bacon crisps and the green beans go tender and flavorful.
Serving
Cool Slightly:
Take the dish out of the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes so that the sauce can set.
Serve Hot:
Serve the smothered green beans hot, directly from the baking dish.
Serve alongside roasted meats, mashed potatoes, or as a piece of a holiday spread.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Pairing: Serve with roasted chicken, turkey or pork for a comforting, homestyle meal.
Holiday Table: Bring this as a standout side dish at Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter dinner. It’s a great twist on green bean casserole.
Everyday Meals: Serve alongside simple grilled or baked protein, such as salmon, steak or chicken breast, for an effortless weeknight meal.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Storing Leftovers: Once cooled, transfer the green beans to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Heat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual portions until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: The dish can be assembled (but not baked) a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, and bake as directed before serving.
Variations
Then we have fresh green beans, which give you a bit more crunch. Parsley and Mint Blanch them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes before assembling the dish
Not-So-Plain Kick: Throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce to bring heat.
Maple Bacon Twist: Replace the brown sugar with real maple syrup for a natural sweetness and unique flavor notes.
Cheesy Upgrade: Top with shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese before baking.
Vegetarian Variation: Skip the bacon and add sliced almonds or crispy fried onions for a crunchy topping.
Conclusion
Smothered Green Beans – Deliciously Addictive! The Best Smothered Green Beans Recipe. This recipe takes fairly simple ingredients and turns them into a flavor bomb, with its sweet cooked-down sauce and smoky bacon topping. Whether you have it as part of a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner, this dish will have everyone going back for seconds. Get ready to impress your guests with this sweet and savory Southern staple!
Smothered Green Beans: A Sweet and Savory Side Dish
Ingredients
- 5 cans green beans 15 oz each, drained
- 6 strips bacon
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the drained green beans into an ungreased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until almost done but still pliable (5-7 minutes). Drain on paper towels, then chop into small pieces and sprinkle over the green beans.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the green beans and bacon. Stir gently to coat. Bake for 40 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and caramelize slightly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm as a side dish with roasted meats or holiday meals.