Maple Bacon Green Beans
Maple Bacon Green Beans are the perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. This bright and festive side dish is perfect for fall holidays, but simple enough to enjoy all year round. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking to elevate a weeknight meal, this recipe adds a pop of flavor to any meal.
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My Mom loved green beans, and so do I! Bacon and green beans go together, and this bacon-wrapped string bean recipe was a go-to for her.
This maple bacon green beans recipe transforms plain green beans into a steakhouse type side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Bacon Green Beans Recipe
- Delicious Flavor Combo – The sweet maple syrup, salty bacon, and tart cranberries create a delicious balance.
- Easy Yet Impressive – A restaurant-quality dish that comes together quickly with minimal prep work.
- Versatile for Every Season – Works beautifully for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a summer BBQ, or any night of the week, any time of the year.
- Family-Friendly – Even picky eaters tend to love green beans when bacon is involved!
- Great for Make-Ahead – Much of the recipe can be prepped in advance, making it easy to prepare when the time comes.
Ingredients for Maple Bacon Green Beans
- Fresh Green Beans
- Large Onion
- Bacon – I used six bacon slices, but use more or less if you prefer.
- Dried Cranberries
- Maple Syrup
- Salt and Pepper
- Nuts (Optional) – Walnuts, Almonds, or Pecans
Tips and Suggestions
- You want tender green with slight crispiness. Achieve this by steaming them in a small amount of boiling water or sautéing them. Sautéing will give them some caramelization, especially if you use a little of the bacon grease.
- You want the green beans to have a bright green color. When they are done, shock them in a large bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process and helps the green beans retain their color. I learned this from my Mom. After shocking, use a slotted spoon to transfer the green beans to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Sprinkle toasted pecans, almonds, or walnuts over the green beans before serving for extra texture.
- Use tongs to toss the green beans with the onions and bacon. It’s the easiest way.
- Additions: Mix things up a bit with this dish by adding feta cheese crumbles for a bit of saltiness. Some minced garlic will boost the aromatic flavor.
What can I serve with maple-glazed green beans?
Maple bacon green beans great side dish for so many entrees. I’ve served them with hasselback chicken cordon bleu, almond crusted chicken, grilled flank steak, and teriyaki pork tenderloin. They would be perfect with your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas prime rib dinner.
I like to place my entree on a platter, then add the maple green beans next to it for a lovely presentation for my dinner guests.
More Recipes that Use Green Beans
If you enjoy green beans as much as my family does, try green beans with caramelized onions and bacon. Sounds similar, I know, but trust me, it’s very different because you use apple cider vinegar and garlic, and it’s just as delicious. Also cooked on the stovetop are green beans with shallots and green beans almondine.
How do you store leftover glazed green beans?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet for best results.
Can I make maple green beans ahead of time?
Yes! Gently reheat them in a skillet, but wait to add the cranberries and nuts, if using, until serving. Don’t overcook the green beans.
Can I make maple bacon green beans vegetarian?
Yes! Just omit the bacon. Add some toasted nuts to replace the texture the bacon brings to the dish.
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Maple Bacon Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- ½ large onion, chopped
- 6 strips bacon
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, I use cast iron, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on a paper towel lined plate.6 strips bacon
- Add chopped onion to the bacon grease in the same skillet and saute over medium heat until translucent.½ large onion, chopped
- Meanwhile, steam the green beans. Place about an inch of water in a medium pot and add the trimmed green beans. Cover and cook 5 – 8 minutes, stirring once. Remove from heat and drain.1 pound green beans, trimmed
- Stir in the bacon, dried cranberries, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked green beans, tossing to combine. Heat through. Once heated, transfer the mixture to a serving bowl. Serve warm.½ cup dried cranberries, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, ½ teaspoon salt, to taste, ½ teaspoon pepper, to taste
