Crack Green Beans
These Crack Green Beans make an amazing side dish for special occasions, get togethers, or any weeknight meal! They are loaded with bacon, onions, and a homemade sauce that is totally addicting. You’ll never want to go back to plain green beans again!
For more delicious green bean side dish recipes, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Green Beans, Italian Green Beans, and Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans.
These Crack Green Beans are one of my favorite side dishes for holiday meals because they are SO so yummy. After one bite, you’ll understand why they are lovingly called Crack Green Beans.
I hold this recipe near and dear to my heart because it is the first recipe I ever truly developed myself.
One evening over ten years ago when we were stationed in Kansas, I had this crazy craving for baked beans. After raiding my cupboards, all I found on hand were a few cans of greens beans. I used to keep my shelves pretty well stocked with green beans since they were (and still are!) my oldest son’s favorite vegetable.
I decided to take those green beans and prepare them with a similar type of sauce that I used when making baked beans. The results were amazing; I couldn’t stop eating them!
My husband and family became big fans, and we got in the habit of calling them “Crack Green Beans.” They have made a regular appearance at our Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas table every year since.
Ingredients for Crack Green Beans
A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.
- canned green beans
- onion
- bacon
- ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- brown sugar
How to Make Crack Green Beans – Step by Step
A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place green beans in the bottom of a casserole dish and set aside.
Step 2: Cook bacon and onions
Cook onion with the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until bacon is crisp. Drain most of the fat.
Step 3: Add remaining ingredients
Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Bake
Pour the sauce over the green beans and gently mix. Bake green beans in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!
Crack Green Beans – Tips and Notes
- Making in advance: this is a great recipe to prepare in advance if you’re making it for a holiday meal. Prepare as directed, but don’t bake yet. Cover your baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the fridge up to one day in advance. Remove the foil and bake as directed.
- Storing leftovers: any leftover Crack Green Beans can stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Can I use frozen green beans? What about fresh green beans?
Yes, frozen green beans will work fine, but make sure you thaw them first.
You could also use fresh green beans. Just boil them for 10 minutes and drain before proceeding with the recipe.
More Holiday Side Dishes You Should Try!
- Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Sweet Potato Soufflé
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Crack Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cans cut green beans, drained
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 5-6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place green beans in the bottom of a casserole dish and set aside.
- Cook onion with the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until bacon is crisp. Drain most of the fat.
- Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over the green beans and gently mix. Bake green beans in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Frozen green beans can be used, just be sure to thaw them first.
- Fresh green beans can also be used, just boil them for 10 minutes and drain before proceeding with the recipe.
- Making in advance: this is a great recipe to prepare in advance if you’re making it for a holiday meal. Prepare as directed, but don’t bake yet. Cover your baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the fridge up to one day in advance. Remove the foil and bake as directed.
- Storing leftovers: any leftover Crack Green Beans can stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Can I make these the night before and bake the morning of?
I’m sure that would work just fine!
I rarely ever eat green beans. They seem so meh to me, but this looks good! I would definitely try these beans!
These beans sound amazing. Definitely, not your typical green bean recipe and I love it!
WHAT A GREAT IDEA! I’E NEVER THOUGHT OF PUTTING BBQ SAUCE WITH GREEN BEANS!
These barbecue green beans look ahhmazing! I can’t wait to try these! Such a fantastic idea!
Ohhh, I was a big Downton Abbey fan, so I’m totally taking your book recommendation. ๐ And this recipes looks seriously amazing! Brilliant idea!
These are so tasty. Will make again for our next BBQ. Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed them, Dianne!
These loo really good. I have a lot of fresh green beans that I have frozen. How many cups of fresh/frozen green beans would I use?
Hi Cindy! I’d use between 3-4 cups of fresh. Hope you enjoy!
I made this for a church function and everybody loved it. What size cans of green beans did you use? I just guessed when I made it.
Hi Sue! So glad to hear everyone enjoyed it! The cans are 14 oz.
Great post!!!Looks great- this is a good way to get my friend to eat green beans! Thanks for the post.
Yum! These green beans look delicious, Ashlyn. I’m going to have to give this recipe a try. Pinned and shared!
Thanks friend! You’re the best!
Ooh yes please, these look amazing! Great combination. Must try it!
They really are good!!
Your cheesey crockpot tortellini recipe. How many does it serve?
Hi Susan! Sorry for the late response! It serves 6!
That sounds so good! I must try these! I want to find time to read so badly! I actually have a Pinterest board dedicated to books I want to read based on people’s recommendations. I will add this one because I do love historical fiction!
I’m so glad you said, “historical fiction.” DUH! That’s what I should’ve been googling! LOL! But yes, the book is really good!
I love the idea of these! They sound awesome…..how can you go wrong with beans and bbq?? Can’t wait to try them!
They really are super good!
I am in denial about Downton, I can’t even talk about it! :'( I really need Edith to be happy before it ends! I am going to look up that book! And I definitely need to make these green beans! I love this idea! Maybe they will help me come out of my Downton depression?!
Oh my gosh, I know! Edith… it just breaks my heart! I can’t even handle thinking about only one more season being left!!! ๐