Holidays just wouldn’t be the same without Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles. The green beans are blanched, wrapped in bacon, and topped with a savory-sweet glaze before baking. The bundles can be assembled the day before you need them, or just before sliding them into the oven.
And If I’m feeling especially ambitious, sometimes I will even throw them on the smoker outside! We’ve served these for Christmas and Easter for as long as I can remember, they’re a definite favorite. I think you’ll be a fan too!
Prepping the Green Beans
Honestly, the hardest part of this recipe is trimming the green beans. When my kids were younger and eager to help, I would give them the job of snapping off the ends and they loved it! If you don’t have access to a willing kid, the easiest way to trim them is to line a handful of green beans up on the cutting board and cut off the tops in one slice. Then repeat with the other side.
Place the green beans in a large pot of salted, boiling water and boil for 4 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
Drain immediately and run cool water over the green beans to stop the cooking. Set aside.
If you are using french style green beans (haricot verts), decrease the boiling time to 2-3 minutes to account for the thinner green beans.
The Glaze
The glaze for these bundles is EASY to make. Melt some butter in the microwave.
Add brown sugar, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt and microwave another 30 seconds until the sugar is melted and the glaze comes together when whisked.
Assembling the Green Bean Bundles
Take a handful of about 8-10 green bean and wrap tightly with a slice of bacon.
Once all of the bundles are assembled, spoon the bundles evenly with glaze.
The green beans can either be cooked at this point, or covered and put in the refrigerator for baking the next day.
Normally I use a nonstick baking sheet, or line a regular baking sheet with parchment paper, but I forgot to this time. But look at all of that savory-sweet flavor!!
Baking/Smoking the Green Bean Bundles
Preheat the oven (or smoker) to 375 and bake the bundles for 30-35 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the glaze has coated the bundles. It’s sooo good!
Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
2 pounds of green beans, trimmed and blanched for 4 minutes*
6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces thin-cut bacon, sliced in half
Directions:
- Wash and trim beans, add to salted boiling water and blanch for 4 minutes. Drain the green beans and run cold water over them to stop the cooking.
- Melt the butter in a microwave safe dish. Add the brown sugar, garlic powder, mustard powder, and salt and cook 30 seconds longer until the sugar is melted. Whisk until the mixture thickens and comes together. Set aside.
- Wrap a bundle of green beans (8-10 beans) tightly with a half slice of bacon. Place on a non-stick baking sheet or a parchment lined baking sheet. Spoon the glaze evenly over the bundles.
- Bake immediately or cover and refrigerate until needed.
- Bake (or smoke using hickory wood) at 375 for 30-35 minutes, until bacon is crisp and green beans are coated with glaze.
*If using thinner Haricot Verts, blanch the green beans for 2-3 minutes instead of 4.
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