If you love a comforting side dish that practically makes itself, you’re going to flip for this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to, especially on busy weeknights or when I want something simple but packed with flavor. The combination of tender green beans, smoky bacon, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar makes it a total crowd-pleaser — trust me, my family goes crazy for it!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-Off Cooking: Just prep your ingredients, set it in the crock pot, and relax while it cooks.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: Smoky bacon, sweet brown sugar, and savory Worcestershire sauce make green beans irresistibly tasty.
Great for Meal Prep: It stores and reheats beautifully, so you’ve always got a veggie side ready.
Family Favorite: Whether it’s a casual dinner or a holiday meal, this recipe always gets compliments.

A white bowl with a pattern holds cooked green beans layered at the bottom, soft and shiny with a slightly wrinkled texture. On top, small chunky pieces of browned bacon with a reddish-brown tone and a bit of translucent cooked onion are mixed in. A fork lifts some green beans and bacon from the bowl, showing the layers clearly, with the vegetables still moist and the bacon crispy in places. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon, green beans with bacon, slow cooker green beans, bacon side dish, flavorful green bean recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe are straightforward but come together in magic ways. Using fresh green beans really amps up the texture and flavor, while the bacon isn’t just an add-in — it’s the star that transforms this dish.

Flat lay of chopped crispy bacon slices, diced yellow onion in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of minced garlic, fresh green beans trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces spread neatly, a small white bowl filled with golden butter, a small white bowl of dark brown Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl with light brown granulated brown sugar, a small white bowl with clear vegetable broth, scattered salt crystals and whole black peppercorns, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon, green beans with bacon, slow cooker green beans, bacon side dish, flavorful green bean recipe

Bacon: Use thick-cut for more flavor and a nice crispy texture after cooking.
Yellow Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth after sautéing in the bacon grease.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic packs more aroma than pre-minced in a jar.
Fresh Green Beans: Trimmed and cut into one-inch pieces keeps bites uniform and easy to eat.
Vegetable Broth: This keeps everything moist and infuses a lovely savory note.
Butter: Adds richness and mellows out the sharpness of onion and bacon.
Brown Sugar (optional): I like to add a touch for that perfect sweet-savory combo.
Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami depth and a hint of tang.
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste — start light, you can always add more at the end.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe is how versatile it is — feel free to adjust it to what you have on hand or your family’s preferences. I sometimes switch up the protein or the sweet element depending on the season or mood.

Using Ham or Sausage: I once swapped bacon for chopped ham, and it added a smoky, hearty twist that everyone enjoyed just as much.
Omit Brown Sugar: If you prefer less sweetness, leaving it out still lets the bacon and Worcestershire shine through beautifully.
Canned Green Beans: When fresh aren’t available, you can use canned beans; just shorten the cooking time since they’re already cooked.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the onion and garlic step if you like a little heat.

How to Make Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Bacon Until Crispy

Start by frying your chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat. I like to do this step on the stove rather than in the slow cooker so the bacon crisps up nicely, giving you that unbeatable texture contrast. Once it’s golden and crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove it and set it aside. Don’t toss the bacon grease — it’s pure gold for cooking the veggies in the next step!

Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic in Bacon Grease

Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the pan with the bacon grease. Cook for about 3 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant. This step deepens the flavor wonderfully — I’ve learned it makes a bigger difference than throwing raw onion directly into the crock pot.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot

Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic to your slow cooker. Then add the trimmed green beans, vegetable broth, butter, brown sugar if using, Worcestershire sauce, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Give everything a gentle stir so the flavors start blending right away.

Step 4: Cook and Then Add Bacon Back In

Set your slow cooker to high and cook the green beans for about 2 ½ hours. About half an hour before the end, stir in the crispy bacon pieces — this keeps them from getting soggy while still allowing their smoky flavor to infuse the beans. After that last 30 minutes of cooking, it’s ready to serve. I love how the bacon softens just enough but still has a bit of bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe

Use Thick-Cut Bacon: I find thick-cut gives more satisfying crispy pieces than thinner strips that can turn limp.
Don’t Skip Sautéing Onion and Garlic: Cooking them in bacon grease first adds layers of flavor you can taste in every bite.
Add Bacon at the End: Adding the bacon too early makes it soggy, so adding it in the last 30 minutes preserves texture.
Trim Green Beans Well: Remove tough ends or use pre-trimmed beans to ensure a tender final dish without chewy bits.

How to Serve Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe

Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a bit of freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top. It adds a pop of color and fresh, herby notes that balance out the rich bacon flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving also gives it a lovely brightness that wakes up your taste buds.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs perfectly with roast chicken, grilled pork chops, or even a hearty mashed potato dish. I’ve served it alongside baked mac and cheese for holiday dinners, and it’s always a hit balancing out rich, creamy mains.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like to serve the green beans in a rustic cast-iron skillet placed right on the table. It keeps everything warm and adds to the cozy vibe. You could also layer them in a wide, shallow bowl with extra crispy bacon pieces on top for visual appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge — I’ve kept mine for up to five days, and they hold up beautifully. Just remember the beans soak up a lot of flavor, so they taste even better the next day!

Freezing

This Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe is freezer friendly too. Let it cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. I usually freeze in portions so I can thaw just what I need. They keep well for up to three months.

Reheating

To reheat, I either microwave the portion or warm it gently on the stovetop over medium heat. You can also pop it back into the crock pot on high for about 30 minutes if you want to serve it for a crowd or keep it warm during a gathering.

FAQs

Can I use canned green beans in this Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe?

Absolutely! Canned green beans are a convenient alternative. Since they’re already cooked, you’ll want to skip the vegetable broth and cut the cooking time to about 1.5 hours to avoid mushy beans.
Is it necessary to sauté the onions and garlic first?

While you could toss them raw in the crock pot, I highly recommend sautéing them in bacon grease first — it enhances their natural sweetness and adds richer flavor to the whole dish.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can omit the bacon and use vegetable broth, but keep in mind the bacon’s smoky, savory taste is a big part of what makes this dish so loved. Try adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a vegetarian smoky twist.
How do I keep the bacon from getting soggy?

Add the cooked bacon during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This timing lets the flavors meld without losing that crispy texture we all crave.

Final Thoughts

This Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon Recipe is one of those simple dishes that always makes me smile. It feels like a little hug in a bowl — smoky, slightly sweet, and perfectly tender — plus, it’s so easy to throw together that I use it all the time. If you want to wow your family or guests with minimal effort, give this recipe a try. I’m betting it’ll earn a permanent spot on your menu like it has in mine!