If you’re looking for a comforting, easy side dish that practically makes itself, you’ll absolutely love my Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that smells incredible while it cooks and tastes even better when it’s done. The combination of tender green beans soaked in savory bacon goodness is something my family goes crazy for, and I bet you’ll find yourself making this one again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once everything’s in the slow cooker, you can set it and forget it while it fills your kitchen with amazing aromas.
- Flavor-Packed: The bacon and Worcestershire sauce add a depth of savory flavor that makes these green beans anything but boring.
- Perfect Texture: Slow cooking softens the beans just enough without turning them mushy—such a great balance!
- Family Favorite: My crew always asks for this recipe at family dinners and potlucks—it’s that good.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients play off each other beautifully. From smoky bacon to fresh green beans, everything works in harmony to create that incredible comfort food vibe. If you’re ever in a hurry, here’s a little tip: pre-trimmed green beans from the store can save you some prep time.
- Bacon: The star of this recipe, bacon adds rich smokiness; I like using thick-cut for maximum flavor.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth—feel free to dice it finely so it cooks evenly.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a subtle spicy kick that complements the bacon perfectly.
- Fresh green beans: Trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces; you want crisp-tender beans after cooking.
- Vegetable broth: This keeps everything moist and infuses a gentle savory note.
- Butter: Adds creaminess and richness—don’t skip it!
- Brown sugar (optional): Balances the savory with a touch of sweetness, but you can leave it out if you prefer savory only.
- Worcestershire sauce: A secret weapon that amps up the umami flavor.
- Salt and pepper: To taste—seasoning after cooking helps you get it just right.
Variations
I love making this Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe my own depending on what we’re craving or what I have on hand. Don’t be afraid to tweak it and make it fit your style!
- Add Ham or Sausage: Sometimes I swap out bacon for ham cubes or sliced link sausage for a different—but equally delicious—flavor profile.
- Canned Green Beans: In a pinch, canned green beans work great and cut down the cooking time; just drain them well and adjust broth accordingly.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce if you like a bit of heat.
- Veggie Boost: Toss in sliced mushrooms or chopped bell peppers for extra texture and nutrients.
How to Make Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon and Sauté the Veggies
Start by frying the chopped bacon in a skillet until it’s beautifully crispy—that’s where the magic begins. Don’t toss out the bacon grease! Use it to sauté the diced onion and minced garlic for about 3 minutes right in the pan. The onions soften and the garlic becomes fragrant, soaking up all that smoky goodness from the bacon fat. Once your onions and garlic are tender, add them directly into the slow cooker.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients and Cook Low and Slow
Add the trimmed green beans, vegetable broth, butter, brown sugar (if using), Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir so the ingredients are well mixed. Set your slow cooker on HIGH and let it work its magic for about 2 ½ hours. The green beans will soften perfectly, absorbing all those smoky, savory flavors.
Step 3: Bring Back the Bacon and Finish Cooking
After those 2 ½ hours, stir in the crispy bacon pieces you set aside earlier and continue cooking for another 30 minutes on HIGH. This extra step infuses the beans with even more smokiness and texture that’ll have you licking your plate clean!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Don’t Skip Crisping the Bacon: Cooking bacon until crispy first is key for texture and flavor; adding it straight raw won’t deliver the same punch.
- Trim Your Green Beans Well: I learned the hard way that trimming away the tough ends keeps a pleasant bite—no stringy surprises here.
- Adjust Broth with Canned Beans: If you use canned green beans, reduce or omit the broth since the beans are already cooked and wet.
- Watch the Salt: Since bacon and broth add saltiness, taste before adding extra salt to keep things balanced.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish these green beans with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and sometimes a little bit of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra savory touch. Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness, too—makes it feel a bit more special.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with roasted meats like grilled chicken or pork chops. It’s also a perfect match for classic comfort foods like mashed potatoes or creamy mac and cheese. Whenever I make this, it rounds out dinner perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or dinner parties, I like to serve this recipe in a beautiful rustic dish garnished with whole crispy bacon strips on top and a few sprigs of thyme. It feels extra festive and always gets compliments!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover green beans in airtight containers in the fridge, where they stay flavorful for up to 5 days. I’ve found keeping them sealed tight helps maintain their texture so they don’t get soggy.
Freezing
If you’re like me and enjoy prepping ahead, these green beans freeze very well! Just cool them completely, pack into freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, I usually warm them gently on the stovetop over medium heat—this helps preserve the texture better than microwaving. You can also pop them back in the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes if you want to free up your stovetop.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh in this recipe?
Yes! Frozen green beans can be used, but I recommend thawing them first to avoid excess water making the dish too soggy. The cooking time may be slightly shorter since frozen beans are partially cooked already.
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Is it necessary to cook the bacon before adding it to the slow cooker?
Absolutely. Cooking the bacon first renders the fat and crisps it up, which adds depth of flavor and prevents the bacon from being rubbery or soggy in the final dish.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
You totally can! Swap out the bacon for smoked tofu or tempeh, use vegetable broth, and replace butter with a plant-based alternative. It won’t have exactly the same smoky flavor, but it’s still tasty and hearty.
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How do I prevent the green beans from getting too soft in the slow cooker?
Keep an eye on the cooking time and check beans early if your slow cooker runs hot. Using the high setting for about 2 ½ to 3 hours usually gives perfectly tender but not mushy beans.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s so easy yet packed with incredible flavor. I love how it makes my weekday dinners feel special without a ton of hands-on work. If you haven’t tried slow cooker green beans before, this is the perfect recipe to start with—I promise it will quickly become one of your go-to sides, just like it is for me and my family.
Print
Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and easy Crock Pot Green Beans recipe featuring tender green beans cooked slowly with crispy bacon, onions, and garlic in a flavorful broth. This comforting side dish is enhanced with butter, Worcestershire sauce, and optional brown sugar for a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Meat
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Liquids & Sauces
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Spices & Sweeteners
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once done, remove the bacon pieces from the pan and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon grease. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant. Transfer this mixture to the crockpot.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: In the slow cooker, add the trimmed green beans, vegetable broth, butter, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook in Crockpot: Set the crockpot to high heat and cook the mixture for 2 ½ hours, allowing the green beans to become tender and absorb the flavors.
- Add Bacon and Final Cooking: After 2 ½ hours, stir in the cooked bacon pieces. Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes on high to meld the flavors together.
- Serve: Once the cooking time is complete, give everything a good stir and serve the green beans hot as a hearty side dish.
Notes
- Storing: Store slow cooker green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. Alternatively, reheat in the crockpot on high for 30 minutes until warmed through.
- Freezing: Cool completely before freezing in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Trimming Green Beans: Trim stems and tough ends, or use pre-trimmed fresh green beans for convenience.
- Canned Green Beans: You can substitute with four cans of drained green beans. Omit broth and reduce cooking time to 1.5 hours since canned beans are pre-cooked.
- Alternative Meat: This recipe can also be made with ham or sliced link sausage for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
