Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans

Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans are an easy baked side dish with tender green beans, smoky bacon, and a buttery sweet and savory sauce. They’re delicious with Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and simple enough to serve any time of year!

Easy Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

These green beans are so delicious, with smoky bacon and a buttery brown sugar sauce that adds just enough sweetness.

Often called Arkansas green beans or smothered green beans, they’re a popular side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

They go especially well with turkey or ham, and they’re always welcome on my holiday table!

Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans Ingredients

This recipe uses canned green beans and a few simple ingredients you may already have on hand.

For exact amounts and full instructions, see the recipe card below.

Green Beans, Bacon, Brown Sugar, Butter, Low-Sodium Soy Sauce, Garlic Powder

Drain the beans well so the canning liquid doesn’t dilute the sauce. Cook and drain the bacon before adding it to the dish.

Taste before adding any extra salt! The bacon and soy sauce already contribute salt. I used low sodium soy sauce, and the beans had plenty of seasoning.

How to Make Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans

Once the bacon is cooked, these baked green beans with bacon take just a few minutes to assemble.

• Spread the drained green beans in a 9×13-inch baking dish and sprinkle the cooked, crumbled bacon over the top.
• Whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, and garlic powder until the sauce is smooth, thick, and well combined. The butter may look separated at first, so keep whisking until it comes together.

• Pour the sauce over the beans and bacon. Do not stir.
• Bake uncovered at 350°F for 40 minutes, until hot throughout.
• Gently toss before serving to coat the beans with the sauce from the bottom of the dish.

Don’t skip that final toss! It distributes the sauce so every serving gets some of that delicious flavor.

Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Green Beans?

I tested this recipe with canned green beans. Fresh or frozen beans will have a different texture and may need a longer baking time.

For fresh beans, trim and cook them until almost as tender as you like, then drain well before assembling.

Thaw and drain frozen beans first, and check their tenderness before serving.

Make Ahead

You can cook the bacon and drain the beans a day ahead, then refrigerate them separately in covered containers.

You can also assemble the dish up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. For the best bacon texture, keep the cooked bacon separate and add it just before baking.

A refrigerated casserole may need additional baking time.

❗If using a glass baking dish, follow the manufacturer’s directions for moving it from the refrigerator to the oven.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Reheat: Microwave individual portions, stirring partway through, or cover and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through to 165°F. Toss with the sauce before serving.

More Tasty Side Dish Recipes

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Garlic Cheddar Drop Biscuits
Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Carrots
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

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