Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon

This easy-to-make crock pot side dish combines crisp green beans and savory bacon, creating a delicious and nutritious part of your meal. Enjoy the Best Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon along with your favorite main course for a well-rounded meal!

Green beans are vibrant and crunchy, making them an excellent side dish. Loaded with nutrition and fiber, they complement various flavors. Partnered with bacon, they soak up its salty and smoky essence, resulting in a perfect fusion of tastes.

Unlike canned green beans, this dish shines with the flavor of fresh green beans, bringing more crunch and a fresher flavor. Fresh green beans enhance the dish's texture and retain more natural nutrients, making your meal more healthful. 

Let the crock pot do the work as it blends the flavors of fresh green beans, savory bacon, and spices throughout your day. Begin by crisping up the bacon and sautéing onions in the same pan for an extra burst of flavor.

Layer green beans along with these ingredients in the crock pot. Season the mix with garlic, butter, spices, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Set it on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, and voila! You've got a tasty and effortless dish with flavors with this crock pot recipe.

Why Make These Crock Pot Green Beans?

• The crock pot does all the work, slowly cooking the green beans with bacon, meaning you can set it and forget.
• Slow cooking lets the green beans soak up the bacon's smoky and salty essence. Resulting in a rich flavor that's hard to achieve with faster cooking methods.
• It's made with fresh green beans for a better texture and added nutrition without the extra sodium and preservatives you would find in canned green beans. 
• This vegetable side dish pairs well with various main courses, from grilled meats to fancy entrees, making it a versatile choice for any meal.
• Combining the health benefits of green beans with the indulgent taste of bacon. It creates a tasty balance between being wholesome and flavorful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Thick Cut Bacon - Adds a rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture, infusing the dish with a savory taste.
• Yellow Onion - Brings a subtle sweetness and aromatic quality.
• Fresh Green Beans - Offers a crisp texture and fresh, earthy flavor that balances the richness of the bacon.
• Minced Garlic - Contributes a pungent and slightly spicy note.
• Butter - Provides a silky, creamy element, helping to bring the flavors together and adding a touch of richness.
• Black Pepper - Adds a slight heat and aromatic sharpness.
• Paprika - Imparts a sweet and slightly smoky flavor, enhancing the dish’s complexity and color.
• Low Sodium Chicken Broth - Serves as the cooking liquid, adding moisture.
• Worcestershire Sauce - Offers a unique combination of tangy, sweet, and savory notes to the dish.

How To Make Green Beans In Crock Pot

Prepare the bacon and onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside. Then, add onions to the same skillet with the bacon grease. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Once cooked, drain off the grease and set the onions aside.

Prepare the green beans: Wash your green beans in cold water, then trim the ends off with a sharp knife. Place the washed and trimmed green beans at the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot.

Create the seasoning marinade: In a medium bowl, add garlic, butter, salt, pepper, paprika, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined.

Layer the ingredients: Pour the garlic and butter mixture evenly over the green beans in the crock pot. Then, evenly distribute the cooked bacon and onions on top of the green beans.

Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top. Set the crock pot to cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the green beans are tender.

Drain chicken broth: Once cooked, stir the green beans and drain the excess chicken broth. Serve the green beans hot with your favorite main course. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips

• Chop the bacon into uniform pieces before cooking to ensure even crisping.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet. This will leave the grease behind for cooking the onions, adding an extra layer of flavor.
• Layer the ingredients in the crock pot as directed. Allowing each ingredient to cook properly and absorb the flavors fully.
• Check the green beans for doneness towards the end of cooking time to avoid overcooking, which can make them too soft.
• Before serving, draining the excess broth helps concentrate the flavors and prevents the dish from having too much liquid.

Flavor Variations and Substitutions

• Southern Style: Add a touch of Southern charm to the green beans by adding apple cider vinegar and a sprinkle of brown sugar. It creates a balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
• With Potatoes: Cube some potatoes and add them to the crock pot for a heartier dish. They will soak up the flavors and add a comforting, starchy element.
• Casserole: Put the cooked green beans in a baking dish and add breadcrumbs and grated cheese on top. Bake until it's golden for a crispy, cheesy casserole.
• Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the green beans if you enjoy a bit of heat in your dishes.
• Vegetarian: Substitute the bacon with smoked paprika and a dash of liquid smoke. This will mimic the smoky flavor without the meat. You will also need to substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
• Almond Topping: For a nutty crunch, sprinkle slivered almonds over the dish just before serving. This will add texture and a nutty flavor.

Storage

Storing: Let the dish cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezing: Place the cooled green beans in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. You can freeze them for 2-3 months. Note that the texture of the green beans may change slightly upon thawing, becoming a bit softer.

Reheating: For reheating in the microwave, put the green beans in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until hot. If reheating on the stovetop, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if they appear dry, and heat until warmed through.