Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
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Bacon wrapped green bean bundles are a deliciously simple side dish recipe perfect for any time of the year!
If you live in the south, you’re bound to know someone who grows green beans every summer. I have (not so fond?) memories of my dad growing copious amounts of beans, and everyone having to snap the beans so we could put them in freezer bags for later. And, to be honest green beans were not a favorite as a kid. However, now in my adult years green beans are frequently on the table!
We’ve all seen the many recipes on Pinterest for green beans wrapped in bacon. However, this bacon wrapped green bean bundle recipe has a couple of different steps.
First…
If you love roasted green beans, then you will love this recipe. You’ll toss your green beans with a light vinaigrette (like in this Skillet Grilled Green Bean recipe!), and then roast for 15+ minutes. This all depends on how many bean bundles your making. And do yourself a favor, and make more than you think you need… They will be devoured in no time! {{If you are making these in the middle of summer when it’s just too hot outside to use an oven. You can use the Skillet Grilled Green Bean recipe, and do the whole thing on the grill.!}}
Second…
You’ll let the roasted (or grilled!) beans cool, and then here comes the BACON. Everyone likes bacon! Unless you’re like Phoebe from Friends who doesn’t like to eat anything with a face… Then pigs are a no go. You could still use this vinaigrette recipe on top of roasted green beans for a great vegetarian side dish option! Yum!
Let’s chat a minute about bacon. I like using an Applewood Smoked Bacon, that is on the thicker side. Of course, you can use any type you prefer. Cut the bacon strips in half, across the short end. Next, you’ll lay the strips out on a board in a line, so you’re ready to bundle and roll when your beans are cool enough to the touch. Or, if you can’t wait it out, you can always use tongs like these! Speaking of boards, this cutting mat is such a mess-saver! When you’re cutting meats or anything that might run over your board, use this mat as a protector for your wooden cutting boards. Plus, you can just pop it into the dishwasher and have a clean cutting board with the wonder of what meat mess got into the grooves today?! YIKES!
There isn’t an exact science to these bacon wrapped green bean bundles — just pick up a handful and wrap the bacon in the center. You’ll want to put the seam sided down, so the bacon doesn’t curl as it cooks. You can line these up on a sheet tray, or a casserole dish, but I prefer using an aluminum foil pan. Not only does it make for easy cleanup, but the tin foil pan helps the bacon crisp on the underside without having to turn over.
Third…
This Honey Balsamic Glaze is actually the salad dressing I make for myself all the time. It’s a simple French dressing of honey, shallots, dijon mustard and olive oil. However, I added balsamic vinegar because it bakes well and adds a rich flavor to the beans and bacon that is hard to resist!
Taking a silicone basting brush, just paint the bundles with this “glaze” before popping into the oven. You’ll do this a couple more times, once while baking, and once after you remove from the oven.
Main Dishes this recipe pairs well with:
- Grilled Red Wine & Garlic Steak
- Easy Meal Prep Grilled Chicken
- Easy Low Carb Tarragon Shrimp
- Chandler’s Thanksgiving Chicken
Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: roasting
- Cuisine: american
Description
Bacon wrapped green bean bundles are a deliciously simple side dish recipe perfect for any time of the year!
Ingredients
Green Beans
- 2 pounds french cut green beans
- 2 tablespoons Italian vinaigrette
- 6 strips of bacon, cut in half
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Glaze
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup any storebought Italian vinaigrette
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425*
- Toss green beans with Italian vinaigrette and plop onto a sheet pan.
- Roast at 425* for 15+ minutes. (You want your beans to not have that crunchy texture, and to begin to soften.)
- Once beans are slightly roasted, remove from oven and allow to cool to the touch.
- Turn oven OFF.
- In a small saucepan add honey, balsamic vinegar, and Italian vinaigrette.
- Boil until a syrupy consistency.
- Lay out strips of bacon, and begin creating bundles of beans.
- Wrap the bacon around the center of a handle of beans, and place seam side down on a sheet pan.
- Using a silicone basting brush, brush a light coating of the glaze over each bundle.
- Place into the oven, and reset oven temperature to 375*
- Halfway through baking, baste with glaze (about 15 minutes through the bake time!)
- Once your bacon is crisp, remove from oven and glaze once more with feeling.
- Plate and serve!
Notes
If you are wanting to do a couple of steps early here is your game plan:
Roast the beans, and keep in a sealed container for up to two days ahead of time.
Make the vinaigrette up to 5 days ahead of time.
Bundle and wrap the beans and place on sheet tray the morning of your dinner.
After you’ve brushed your glaze on, place in a COLD oven. Set the temperature to 375* and allow to cook for 30+ minutes, or until your bacon is crisp to your liking.
Yumm! That is literally what came out of my mouth reading this post and looking at your photos. This recipe is perfect, and I am now drooling thinking about eating it!
Ha!!! Thanks, Denise!!!
These are such a great idea, bacon makes everything better!
Bacon DOES make everything better!!
These sound so flavorful and look so pretty. Will need to make these for the next dinner party.
They are so easy for a dinner party – mainly because you can do so much ahead of time!
Bacon wrapped anything is good with me! This would help my husband to eat more veggies.
This helps me eat more veggies — since bacon! Hahah!
This made the perfect side dish with dinner last night! Perfectly balanced flavors and even my picky eaters cleaned their plates! Delicious!
Woo hoo!!! Love hearing that!
I grew up in Eastern NC and yes we had this huge garden every summer with lots of beans to pick and shell nearly every night. I find that I miss it these days. Can’t wait to try out this recipe. It looks so good! #HomeMattersParty
Oh yeah! I think about how much I will miss it when my grandfather is gone. He’s 89 now, and doesnt pick or shell – but, likes to sit on the porch while we do it!
Hi Ashley – these look really yummy! What a great idea for Father’s Day . . . I’m just now getting out and about and wanted to pop in to see what you’ve been up to. Thanks for all your hard work on the #HomeMattersParty. See you tomorrow! Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage
Yay!! Glad you are among the living!!!