Bacon Green Bean Bundles are a super easy delicious side that can be prepped ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and loaded into the oven shortly before serving. Tender-crisp green beans wrapped in crisp bacon are basted with a sweet and savory glaze. They are perfect for dinner parties as each guest gets their own neatly bundled serving of green beans!
I love green beans, and I love bacon. I know what you are thinking!! Who in the world doesn’t? Now, these little delights are so easy to put together, and they taste so delicious for your next dinner party.
What kind of green beans are best for bundles?
There are many different types of beans. Green beans, string beans, wax beans, and snap beans are very much alike, with the differences being in shape and color. Any green bean can be used in these bacon-wrapped bundles; however, my favorites are Haricots Verts. These French green beans are thin, very easy to cook with, and do not need to be snapped. They wrap up well with bacon and cook just right while it crisps.
These beans are normally prepackaged and in with the bags of carrots, radishes, etc. I have also seen them frequently at Costco. You don’t have to exclusively use these beans, although they are easier to cook the bundles with. If they are not readily available, hand-pick your green beans choosing the thin long beans.
How to make Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles.
First, blanch your beans by plunging them in boiling water for two minutes. Drain them quickly and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
Dry the beans and divide them evenly. Wrap one slice of bacon around each bundle, trying to spread it out so that it is not overlapped and cooks through. Place on a baking sheet seam side down. Mix together olive oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Brush over the bundles.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning on the broiler the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to brown the bacon. If the bacon is holding up well, flip halfway through the cooking process.
Helpful hints on making Green Bean Bundles.
- Always preheat the oven. For easier cleanup, cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil or use an old baking sheet.
- Use thinly sliced bacon and wrap it around the beans with as little overlapping as reasonably possible. You can place them on the baking pan seam side down or secure the bacon with a toothpick.
- Use haricot verts (French green beans). If they are not available, hand-pick your beans for the longer, more slender ones.
- Place the bacon seam side down.
- Turn the broiler on for the last couple of minutes (in the baking process) to finish browning the bacon. Stay close by, as broilers are unpredictable.
- If you prefer not to use your broiler (maybe you have an older stove), precook your bacon for just a few minutes. You don’t want it crispy. You want it just barely cooked and pliable. You can cook it on the same cookie sheet and drain any excess grease before cooking the assembled bundles.
- If you want a little extra kick, sprinkle a few pinches of cayenne into the olive oil mixture.
These bacon-wrapped veggies are perfect with steaks, burgers, chicken, Thanksgiving turkey, or Christmas beef roast. Perfect little rays of sunshine for you and your family! Fancy enough to serve on holidays or dinner parties! They are flavorful enough for you to keep serving them time and time again!
Other delectable vegetable recipes you will love!
Green Bean Bundles Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 slices bacon uncooked
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add green beans and cook for just 2 minutes. Drain hot water from the beans and place them in an ice water bath to immediately stop the cooking process. Dry the beans.
- Divide beans evenly, wrapping in the middle of each piece of bacon to create four bundles.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Brush over green bean/bacon bundles.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. Turn oven to broil and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Stay close by, as broilers are unpredictable.
Notes
- Always preheat the oven. For easier cleanup over a baking sheet with aluminum foil or use an old baking sheet.
- Use thinly sliced bacon and wrap it around the beans with as little overlapping as reasonably possible.
- Use haricot verts (French green beans). If they are not available hand pick your beans for the longer, more slender ones.
- Place the bacon seam side down.
- Turn the broiler on for the last couple of minutes (in the baking process) to finish browning the bacon. Stay close by, as broilers are unpredictable.
- If you prefer not to use your broiler (maybe you have an older stove), precook your bacon for just a few minutes. You don't want it crispy. You want it just barely cooked and pliable. You can cook it on the same cookie sheet and drain any excess grease before cooking the assembled bundles.
- If you want a little extra kick sprinkle add a few pinches of cayenne to the olive oil mixture.
Nutrition
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Lily
These bacon-wrapped green beans were an incredible side to our dinner. The smokiness and saltiness that the green beans got from the bacon was delicious.
Valentina
Love this green bean recipe as a side dish! So easy to make and loved by ALL!
Nancy
We made these for a family get together and they were delicious! Will be making them again!
Sydnie
Absolutely perfect! I love love love this recipe! YUMMY!
Renee Goerger
This recipe pleases me (the green beans) and my husband (the bacon). Thanks for keeping us both happy!
Nancy
the last time we had a family reunion, we made these! They were such a hit, that now they are a staple for holidays and get togethers!
Allison
My family will never want regular green beans again. Haha! These are so tasty.
Dannii
Everything is better with bacon. YUM!
Laura | Wandercooks
What a great idea, always looking for ways to revamp my side dishes 🙂
Sapana
What a delicious side dish to add to the Thanksgiving table!
Beth
These look great! I really like the idea that they can be made ahead to make my holiday parties run a little more smoothly!
annie
Could I fully prep the bundles 48 hrs in advance of cooking in the oven? Of course, keeping them in an airtight container until cook time.
Beth Pierce
I think if I was going to do it that way I would par cook the bacon and maybe blanch the green beans for another minute or so. Do not overdue it on the bacon. You want it to still be soft and easy to wrap around the beans. Maybe around 7 minutes or so in the oven on the bacon. I think this would work out better than having raw bacon around your green beans for that long…kind of thinking about food safety this way.
Marsha
How far ahead of time could I make these
Beth Pierce
You can assemble them several hours in advance and cook them before serving. You can also cook them ahead of time (1-1 1/2 hours) and reheat on low power in the microwave. I would start with 30 seconds 50% power and see if they are hot. If not repeat. Happy Thanksgiving!
dee
could i use thawed frozen whole green beans?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. Try to get them dry before wrapping them.
Dandi
What creative DELICIOUS food ideas. Thk You! Love your site
Beth Pierce
Thanks so very much! I really appreciate your kind words!
Lorinda - The Rowdy Baker
What a fantastic idea – especially for a company meal. Love green beans, and this takes them over the top!
bpierce
Thanks so much!!