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Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are a beautiful and satisfying savory perfect for the holidays. They look fancy yet are so easy to make! I use a quick microwave blanch technique to maintain a beautiful color in the French green beans and par-cook turkey bacon before wrapping for perfect crispiness.
I also use a simple balsamic glaze for a touch of sweetness, replacing the brown sugar used in other recipes. They are simply perfect and are always the first food to go from my holiday party spread with Marinated olives and Charcuterie skewers!
Table of Contents
Good to know
ChihYu’s tips
For me, presentation is key in these easy green bean bundles. Follow my tips for vibrant green and crisp beans and perfectly crispy bacon. Nobody wants to eat mushy, greasy bacon or pale beans!
- Vibrant beans: I use the microwave to blanch the beans. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require boiling water. Then pop them into an ice bath to maintain a vibrant green color in your beans.
- Crispy bacon: Turkey bacon is less greasy plus tends to be very uniform in size. I find it crisps up perfectly and looks divine. You can use pork bacon if you prefer. I prefer smoked bacon!
- Toothpicks: Placing my bundles seam-side down when baking to close them without toothpicks always works great! You could use toothpicks if you’re concerned they won’t stick.
- Make ahead: If you’re serving these for the holidays, prepping ahead can be helpful. For the best results, blanch and cold shock the beans in advance. Store the prepared beans in an airtight container with a paper towel. Wait to cook the bacon, wrap, and bake the day off.
- Storage and Reheat: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp them up nicely.
Ingredients
Not only are these green bean bundles with bacon easy to make, but they don’t require many ingredients. Here’s what you need for this easy green bean appetizer or festive side dish.
- Turkey bacon: I like turkey bacon because it’s less greasy and crisps up nicely. The uniform size makes for a nice presentation as well.
- Substitution: You can also use thin-cut pork bacon. I prefer smoked bacon for flavor.
- French green beans: French green beans are longer and thinner than American Green beans and maintain a great crisp texture. I use fresh green beans.
- Coarse sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- Aged balsamic vinegar: Used as a simple glaze for a touch of sweetness and tanginess.
- Substitution: If you prefer, you can sprinkle with some brown sugar instead.
- Whole lemon: Sliced into wedges for an optional garnish for a bright and tangy finish.
How to make bacon wrapped green beans
These bacon green bean wraps are surprisingly easy to make considering how gourmet they look. After a quick blanching of the beans in the microwave and pre-cooking the bacon so it’s crispy but still pliable, it takes just 8-10 minutes to bake these green bean and bacon wraps in the oven.
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- Trim the green beans. Snap off the stems, rinse them in cold water, and drain well.
- Microwave the beans. Place the beans in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle with water, and microwave for 1 ½ minutes to keep them crisp.
- Cold water shock. Immediately plunge the beans into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking and preserve their vibrant color. Pat them dry.
- Lightly crisp the bacon. Cook the bacon for 4-5 minutes in a pan over medium heat until it starts browning but is still pliable for wrapping.
- Slice the bacon. Once cooled, cut the bacon strips in half lengthwise to make wrapping easier. The thinner strips also make for a nicer presentation.
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Start wrapping the beans while the oven preheats.
- Wrap the green beans. Bundle 4-5 beans in each bacon strip, placing them seam-side down on the baking sheet. Leave space between the bundles so they cook evenly and crisp up.
- Season and bake. Sprinkle your string bean bundles with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil, then bake for 8-10 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
- Serve. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve with lemon wedges for a bright, fresh finish.
Pro Tip
Perfectly crispy bacon
For bacon that’s crisp but not greasy, I opt for turkey bacon. It crisps up beautifully, has great color, and is always cut in thin, uniform slices. Pre-cook it until it’s just starting to crisp but still flexible, so it wraps easily and finishes perfectly in the oven.
What to serve with bacon wrapped string beans
Green beans wrapped in bacon make an excellent appetizer, party food, or dinner side dish. They’re a fabulous way to elevate string beans for a holiday meal and will compliment any of your favorite holiday dishes beautifully.
- Protein mains: These bundles are a perfect sidekick to my Herb-Roasted Spatchcock Chicken with savory lemon herb gravy. Or serve with flaky Baked Cod with Panko Crust. This creamy Turmeric Chicken Thighs and Leeks Casserole is perfect for cooler weather, too!
- Starchy veggies: Air Fryer Delicata Squash with honey parmesan crust is another simple yet elegant side that cooks in just 8 minutes. Kick up the flavor and add a creamy texture with my Miso Sweet Potato recipe made with an umami-rich miso butter—yum!
- More vegetables: These beans play nice with other veggies, too. Serve alongside my Honey Sriracha Brussel Sprouts, a refreshing Napa Cabbage Slaw, or this creamy low-carb Cauliflower Gratin for a full holiday spread.
More holiday appetizers you might like
These green beans wrapped with bacon are definitely a holiday star, but they aren’t afraid to share the spotlight! Here are some more popular holiday appetizers to elevate your holiday menu.
- Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms are made with tender shrimp, gluten-free panko, and a nutty parmesan topping.
- Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms stuffed with French onion and gruyere cheese are so easy and seriously gourmet!
- Cucumber Roll Ups are a simple and refreshing appetizer made with mashed avocado and deli meat.
- Air Fryer Deviled Eggs with a creamy garlic dijon filling are a quick and easy version of this classic party finger food.
Bacon wrapped green beans recipe
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Ingredients
- 12 oz turkey bacon 1 packet
- 1 lb fresh French green beans
- Sprinkle Coarse sea salt
- Sprinkle ground black pepper
- Drizzle Olive oil
- Drizzle Aged balsamic vinegar
- 1 whole lemon
Instructions
- Trim the green beans: Snap off the stems with your fingers or a paring knife. Rinse the beans in a large bowl of cold water, then set aside to drain.
- Microwave the beans: Place the green beans in a large microwave-safe dish and sprinkle with a little water. Loosely cover the dish and microwave on high for about 1 ½ minutes. The beans should stay crisp and slightly undercooked.
- Cold water shock: Immediately plunge the beans into ice water to stop the cooking and set their vibrant color. Drain and pat dry with a cloth or paper towel.
- Season the beans: Lightly toss the beans with olive oil and coarse salt. Set them aside ready to use.
- Lightly crisp the bacon: In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the bacon in batches for 4-5 minutes, until just beginning to brown along the edges but still pliable. If the pan seems dry, drizzle a little oil to prevent sticking. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool slightly.
- Slice the bacon: Once cool enough to handle, slice the turkey bacon strips in half lengthwise.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wrap the green bean bundles: Take about 4-5 green beans and place them at one end of a bacon strip. Roll up the beans to form a bundle and place it seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bacon and green beans, leaving space between each bundle.
- Season: Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and ground black pepper, then drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and crispy.
- Serve: Let the bundles rest for a few minutes, then drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar. Serve with lemon wedges on the side so your guests can squeeze lemon juice over their bundles, if desired.
Notes
- Green bean preparation: Microwaving the green beans is quick and easy. This step keeps them crisp since they’ll bake in the oven as well.
- Green bean texture: I love green beans that stay bright and crisp. Overcooked beans tend to become mushy, so be sure to keep an eye on them!
- Turkey bacon: It’s less greasy and makes it easier to wrap the green beans. Lightly crisping the bacon on the stovetop adds flavor and color, but keeps it pliable for easier wrapping.
- Substitute: Can also use regular pork bacon. I prefer smoked bacon.
- Seam side down: Placing the bundles seam-side down on the baking sheet helps keep them together without needing toothpicks.
- Toothpicks: If your bundles don’t stay together, you can secure them with toothpicks for baking.
- Make-ahead tip: Follow steps 1-3, then store the prepared green beans in an airtight container with paper towels in the fridge for up to 1-2 days.
- Storage and Reheat: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat under the broiler for a minute or two.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made these for Thanksgiving dinner and then again a few days later. They were a hit! Thanks so much for the recipe. 🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us, Jennifer. I’m so happy to hear you and the family had a lovely thanksgiving gathering and enjoy the meals together. Best wishes for the holiday season!
Yes, these are a must! You had me at bacon, but balsamic sealed the deal!
These are perfect for the upcoming holidays. Definitely adding them to the menu. YUM! Thanks for the super easy recipe.
These will be perfect for Thanksgiving! My husband will love them.
So, funny story… my husband’s family makes bacon-wrapped green beans during the holidays… using canned green beans. Everyone raves over them, but I won’t touch them because canned green beans look SO gross/grey. Your version is EXACTLY the one I WILL eat!
Ha ! That’s so funny ! Fresh ones are definitely better for sure!
You had me at bacon and anything green- yum!
Do these ever look tasty!! What an awesome side dish and a great way to jazz up the green bean!
These are so pretty (as always) and perfect for Thanksgiving! Saving these to try!
This is such a great idea!!! I love how easy it is too. This would be a perfect side dish for holiday tables.
These would look great on my Thanksgiving table. Pretty and tasty!
Thank you, Kelly!