The Best Crack Green Beans Recipe for Thanksgiving

When you take a bite of crack green beans, the crunchy exterior gives way to a tender, caramelized interior that is infused with the flavors of garlic, brown sugar, and bacon. The sweet and savory aromas wafting from your oven will have your family and friends eagerly waiting for the big reveal.

What makes these crack green beans so irresistible? It starts with the perfect balance of crispy and tender, achieved through a clever combination of pan-frying and oven-roasting. For more expert-approved Thanksgiving recipes like this one, check out The Best Crack Green Beans Recipe for Thanksgiving.

Why This Recipe Works

• By blanching the green beans before roasting, we can achieve the perfect texture: tender but still crisp.
• Pan-frying the green beans after roasting gives them a crispy exterior that’s similar to fried foods, but with less oil.
• Using bacon, garlic, and brown sugar creates a rich, savory flavor profile that elevates the green beans to the next level.

Key Ingredients

Fresh green beans are a must for this recipe. Look for bright green, crisp beans with no signs of wilting or browning. You can find more Thanksgiving recipes and tips on selecting the perfect green beans at Epicurious.com.

Smoked bacon adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish. You can use any type of bacon you like, but smoked bacon gives the best results.

Recipe Courtesy of Our Kitchen

The Best Crack Green Beans Recipe for Thanksgiving

★★★★★ (55 Reviews)

Level:
Easy

Prep:
15 min

Cook:
25 min

Yield:
4 Servings

Ingredients

4 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

6 slices of bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

2

Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Shock in an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well.

3

Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.

4

In a large bowl, toss together the blanched green beans, cooked bacon, garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.

5

Spread the green bean mixture out on the prepared baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until caramelized and crispy. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until crispy. You can also reheat in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through.