Gluten-Free Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Crispy bacon-wrapped green bean bundles combine savory and sweet flavors in an irresistible side dish. Fresh green beans are briefly blanched to maintain their bright color and crisp texture, then bundled in bacon strips and topped with a brown sugar and garlic powder mixture. The bacon crisps beautifully in the oven while the brown sugar caramelizes, creating a glossy glaze. Perfect for holiday dinners, potluck gatherings, or any time you want to transform simple green beans into an elegant presentation that guests will remember.
Ingredients
- 8 slices baconturkey bacon1:1Medium confidence for similar resultsFull guide →
- 1 pound green beans, cleaned and trimmedasparagus1:1High confidencereduce cook time to 12-14 minutesFull guide →
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugarmaple syrup2 tbsp:1.5 tbspMedium confidencemay be less caramelizedFull guide →
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F and line rimmed baking sheet with foil
- 2
Place bacon on foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes
- 3
Remove bacon and set aside on paper towel lined plate to absorb excess fat
- 4
Bring large pot of water to boil
- 5
Add green beans to boiling water and boil for 2 minutes
- 6
Drain green beans and plunge into ice bath
- 7
Drain again and dry beans with towel
- 8
Place green beans in large bowl, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt, toss to coat
- 9
Line baking sheet with parchment or foil
- 10
Lay bacon strip horizontally, place 8 to 10 green beans on one end and roll to make bundle
- 11
Secure with toothpick and place on lined baking sheet, repeat with remaining bacon and beans
- 12
Mix brown sugar and garlic powder with fork in small bowl
- 13
Sprinkle mixture on top of bundles, concentrating on bacon
- 14
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until bacon is crisp
Tips
Blanching the green beans briefly keeps them bright green and ensures they cook evenly with the bacon timing.
Pat green beans completely dry after the ice bath to help the oil and seasonings stick better.
Don't skip the ice bath step - it stops the cooking process and keeps beans crisp-tender.
Good to Know
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until bacon recrisps.
Can assemble bundles up to 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then add brown sugar mixture and bake as directed.
Serve immediately while bacon is crisp. Remove toothpicks before eating or warn guests.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip the ice bath to avoid overcooked, mushy green beans
Pat beans completely dry to prevent oil from sliding off
Don't overcook the pre-baked bacon as it will continue cooking with the bundles
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make these without blanching the green beans first?
Blanching is recommended to ensure even cooking and bright color. Without it, beans may be tough or unevenly cooked when bacon is done.
What if I don't have toothpicks to secure the bundles?
You can use kitchen twine or small skewers. In a pinch, tuck the bacon end underneath the bundle, though it may unroll slightly during cooking.
How long will these keep in the refrigerator?
Store covered for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes to re-crisp the bacon before serving.