These Arkansas Green Beans are bathed in a rich glaze that perfectly balances sweet and savory with brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Experience how this simple side dish is transformed into a delectable comfort food.
Arkansas Green Beans bring more to your plate than just a pop of color. We’re talking about green beans that have taken a dip in the fountain of great flavor. It comes out all dressed up with a buttery brown sugar glaze, a hint of garlic, and a savory touch of soy sauce. These are also known as crack green beans, because they are so addictive!
Now, throw some crispy bacon into the mix, because why not? Everything’s better with bacon, right? But it’s not just about that crunch—the smoky notes weaving through each bite make you pause mid-chew and think, “Yep, that’s the stuff.” Perfect for potlucks and just plain delicious! These beans are about to become your go-to when you need to bring a little something special to the Thanksgiving or Christmas table.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
- The combination of sweet brown sugar and savory soy sauce creates a uniquely tantalizing glaze that’s irresistible.
- It’s a versatile dish that pairs well with both casual dinners and festive occasions.
- Arkansas Green Beans offer a delightful twist on a classic vegetable.
- This dish is a simple hack to boost your vegetable consumption.
Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh Green Beans: They provide a crisp, snappy texture and a fresh, earthy flavor. It balances the richness of the other ingredients, serving as the backbone of the dish.
- Bacon: It infuses a smoky, salty crunch that’s essential for a satisfying depth of flavor and contrast against the tender beans.
- Brown Sugar: This ingredient offers a sweet molasses-like undertone. It also creates a glaze that caramelizes beautifully.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Vegetarian Delight: Use crispy fried onions instead of bacon strips. This will still give a crunchy contrast to the tender beans.
- Spicy Green Beans: Introduce a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Almond-Topped Beans: Garnish with toasted sliced almonds for a nutty crunch.
How to Make Arkansas Green Beans
Step #1: Begin by heating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Step #2: Trim the ends of the green beans and cut or snap them into 1 ½-2 inch pieces. Place them in a large saucepan.
Step #3: Add enough water. Make sure that it completely covers the beans. Then, bring it to a boil.
Step #4: Reduce the heat, cover the beans, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Step #5: Drain the beans and transfer them to a two-quart glass or oven-safe ceramic baking dish, like a 9″ x 9″ Pyrex dish.
Step #6: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, turning it often, until it is brown on the edges. Transfer the cooked bacon to a baking rack or a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
Step #7: Once the bacon is cool to the touch, crumble it into pieces and sprinkle the bacon over the beans in the baking dish.
Step #8: Take a small bowl and mix the melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder together.
Step #9: Drizzle the mixture over the beans and bacon, coating them evenly.
Step #10: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then gently stir to ensure the sweet and savory sauce coats all the beans.
Step #11: Keep baking for an additional 15 minutes. Then, serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Blanching Perfection: For vibrant, crisp-tender beans, blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes before baking. Then, plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Bacon Crispness: Cook bacon until just shy of your desired crispness—it’ll continue to crisp up in the oven without becoming overly hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Look for bright, firm beans that snap cleanly when bent.
Yes, but the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
Simply snap off the ends with your fingers or use a knife.
Absolutely, this dish travels well and you can reheat it at the destination.
They complement roasted meats like our Israeli Roast Chicken, Easy Pork Medallions, Roasted Peruvian Chicken, and Puerto Rican Pernil.
Storage Info
Arkansas Green Beans should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days. For extended storage, pack them in a freezer bag, and expel the air to prevent freezer burn. For freezing, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, place leftovers on a microwave-safe plate and microwave, or use an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and reheat in a 350° F oven, or warm them in a pan on the stovetop, stirring until heated through.
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Arkansas Green Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb. fresh green beans
- 6 slices of bacon
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup salted butter - melted
- 3 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Begin by heating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Trim the ends of the green beans and cut or snap them into 1 ½-2 inch pieces. Place them in a large saucepan.
- Add enough water. Make sure that it completely covers the beans. Then, bring it to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover the beans, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Drain the beans and transfer them to a two-quart glass or oven-safe ceramic baking dish, like a 9" x 9" Pyrex dish.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, turning it often, until it is brown on the edges. Transfer the cooked bacon to a baking rack or a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
- Once the bacon is cool to the touch, crumble it into pieces and sprinkle the bacon over the beans in the baking dish.
- Take a small bowl and mix the melted butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder together.
- Drizzle the mixture over the beans and bacon, coating them evenly.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then gently stir to ensure the sweet and savory sauce coats all the beans.
- Keep baking for an additional 15 minutes. Then, serve and enjoy!
NOTES
Nutrition
Loved, loved, loved! Flavor was spot-on, and it was a great way to eat fresh green beans!
Can I use frozen green beans? If so, does this change the cook time? Thanks!
Hi Lisa, I haven’t made this with frozen green beans, but I would just thaw them out first. Thawing overnight in the refrigerator is the easy button.
Love this have only made it once but would not change anything. Question; would it be as good made the day before and heat prior to serving?
Hi Libby, this recipe does make good leftovers the next day. I wouldn’t say they are as good as fresh out of the oven, but they are good. – Linda
Hey Super Mom….You did it.
This recipe looks so inviting. I am sure this will get my kids to eat vegetables again.
Can I leave out the garlic powder or use onions powder instead?
Hi Chinazor,
Sure, I would try leaving it out instead of using onion powder.
– Linda
It turned out amazing. We totally loved it.