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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Crock Pot Green Beans

    Published: Dec 12, 2023 by Ryan Allen · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    This easy-to-make crock pot side dish combines crisp green beans and savory bacon, creating a delicious and nutritious part of your meal. Enjoy the Best Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon along with your favorite main course for a well-rounded meal!

    Overhead look at crock pot green beans in a white bowl.
    Jump to:
    • Why Make These Crock Pot Green Beans?
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • How To Make Green Beans In Crock Pot
    • Cooking Tips
    • Flavor Variations and Substitutions
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • More Crock Pot Side Dishes
    • Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon

    Green beans are vibrant and crunchy, making them an excellent side dish. Loaded with nutrition and fiber, they complement various flavors. Partnered with bacon, they soak up its salty and smoky essence, resulting in a perfect fusion of tastes.

    Unlike canned green beans, this dish shines with the flavor of fresh green beans, bringing more crunch and a fresher flavor. Fresh green beans enhance the dish's texture and retain more natural nutrients, making your meal more healthful. 

    Let the crock pot do the work as it blends the flavors of fresh green beans, savory bacon, and spices throughout your day. Begin by crisping up the bacon and sautéing onions in the same pan for an extra burst of flavor.

    Layer green beans along with these ingredients in the crock pot. Season the mix with garlic, butter, spices, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Set it on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, and voila! You've got a tasty and effortless dish with flavors with this slow cooker recipe.

    Slow cooker green beans with bacon are easy to make and pair well with a variety of main dishes, like King Ranch Chicken or Crock Pot Steak Bites!

    Why Make These Crock Pot Green Beans?

    • The crock pot does all the work, slowly cooking the green beans with bacon, meaning you can set it and forget.
    • Slow cooking lets the green beans soak up the bacon's smoky and salty essence. Resulting in a rich flavor that's hard to achieve with faster cooking methods.
    • It's made with fresh green beans for a better texture and added nutrition without the extra sodium and preservatives you would find in canned green beans. 
    • This vegetable side dish pairs well with various main courses, from grilled meats to fancy entrees, making it a versatile choice for any meal.
    • Combining the health benefits of green beans with the indulgent taste of bacon. It creates a tasty balance between being wholesome and flavorful.
    A wooden spoon holding a scoop of green beans with bacon.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    • Thick Cut Bacon - Adds a rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture, infusing the dish with a savory taste.
    • Yellow Onion - Brings a subtle sweetness and aromatic quality.
    • Fresh Green Beans - Offers a crisp texture and fresh, earthy flavor that balances the richness of the bacon.
    • Minced Garlic - Contributes a pungent and slightly spicy note.
    • Butter - Provides a silky, creamy element, helping to bring the flavors together and adding a touch of richness.
    • Black Pepper - Adds a slight heat and aromatic sharpness.
    • Paprika - Imparts a sweet and slightly smoky flavor, enhancing the dish’s complexity and color.
    • Low Sodium Chicken Broth - Serves as the cooking liquid, adding moisture.
    • Worcestershire Sauce - Offers a unique combination of tangy, sweet, and savory notes to the dish.

    How To Make Green Beans In Crock Pot

    Prepare the bacon and onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside. Then, add onions to the same skillet with the bacon grease. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Once cooked, drain off the grease and set the onions aside.

    Prepare the green beans: Wash your green beans in cold water, then trim the ends off with a sharp knife. Place the washed and trimmed green beans at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

    Create the seasoning marinade: In a medium bowl, add garlic, butter, salt, pepper, paprika, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined.

    Layer the ingredients: Pour the garlic and butter mixture evenly over the green beans in the slow cooker. Then, evenly distribute the cooked bacon and onions on top of the green beans.

    Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top. Set the slow cooker to cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the green beans are tender.

    Drain chicken broth: Once cooked, stir the green beans and drain the excess chicken broth. Serve the green beans hot with your favorite main course. Enjoy! 

    Six images on how to make green beans in a crock pot.

    Cooking Tips

    • Chop the bacon into uniform pieces before cooking to ensure even crisping.
    • Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet. This will leave the grease behind for cooking the onions, adding an extra layer of flavor.
    • Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker as directed. Allowing each ingredient to cook properly and absorb the flavors fully.
    • Check the green beans for doneness towards the end of cooking time to avoid overcooking, which can make them too soft.
    • Before serving, draining the excess broth helps concentrate the flavors and prevents the dish from having too much liquid.

    Flavor Variations and Substitutions

    • Southern Style: Add a touch of Southern charm to the green beans by adding apple cider vinegar and a sprinkle of brown sugar. It creates a balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
    • With Potatoes: Cube some potatoes and add them to the slow cooker for a heartier dish. They will soak up the flavors and add a comforting, starchy element.
    • Casserole: Put the cooked green beans in a baking dish and add breadcrumbs and grated cheese on top. Bake until it's golden for a crispy, cheesy casserole.
    • Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the green beans if you enjoy a bit of heat in your dishes.
    • Vegetarian: Substitute the bacon with smoked paprika and a dash of liquid smoke. This will mimic the smoky flavor without the meat. You will also need to substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
    • Almond Topping: For a nutty crunch, sprinkle slivered almonds over the dish just before serving. This will add texture and a nutty flavor.
    Overhead look at green beans in a crock pot.

    Storage

    Storing: Let the dish cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days.

    Freezing: Place the cooled green beans in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. You can freeze them for 2-3 months. Note that the texture of the green beans may change slightly upon thawing, becoming a bit softer.

    Reheating: For reheating in the microwave, put the green beans in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until hot. If reheating on the stovetop, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if they appear dry, and heat until warmed through.

    FAQ

    Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?

    Yes, you can use frozen green beans in this recipe. They might be slightly less crisp than fresh beans after cooking and will release more liquid into the slow cooker. 

    What can I do if I don’t have a slow cooker?

    You can cook fresh green beans in a covered pot stovetop over low heat. Be ready for more stirring and checking, and keep an eye on the beans' tenderness, as the cooking time may be shorter.

    How do I know when the green beans are done?

    The green beans are done when they are tender. This usually takes about 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high in a slow cooker. You can adjust the time based on how crisp or soft you prefer your green beans.

    Side view of green beans with bacon in a white bowl.

    More Crock Pot Side Dishes

    • Crock Pot Corn Bread
    • Crock Pot Pinto Beans
    • Crock Pot Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
    • Crock Pot Glazed Carrots

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    Overhead look at crock pot green beans in a white bowl.

    Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon

    Author: Ryan Allen
    This easy-to-make crock pot side dish combines crisp green beans and savory bacon, creating a delicious and nutritious part of your meal. Enjoy the Best Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon along with your favorite main course for a well-rounded meal!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 169 kcal

    Equipment

    • My Favorite Slow-Cooker
    • Slow-Cooker Liners

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 slices bacon (thick-cut and chopped into ½-inch pieces)
    • 1 cup yellow onion (diced)
    • 2 lbs fresh green beans (washed with the ends trimmed)
    • 3 tsp garlic (minced)
    • 2 tbsp butter (melted)
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 1 tsp black pepper
    • ½ tsp paprika
    • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth.
    • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add bacon and cook until crispy! Remove from skillet and set aside.
    • Add onions to the bacon grease in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Drain off grease and set aside.
    • Place the green beans in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
    • Add garlic, melted butter, salt, black pepper, paprika, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until well combined and pour over the green beans.
    • Top the green beans with the cooked bacon and onions.
    • Cover and cook low 5-6 hours or high 3-4 hours.
    • Stir and drain chicken broth before serving, and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 392mgPotassium: 495mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1076IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 2mg

    *Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Hey, I am Ryan

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