Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

If you’re dreaming of a side dish that brings bright green color, savory  turkey bacon richness, and an irresistible home-cooked aroma to your table, this Crockpot Green Beans Recipe is the one you need in your life. Slow-cooked with smoky turkey bacon, aromatic onions and garlic, and a broth that infuses every bite with flavor, these green beans are melt-in-your-mouth tender without losing their vibrancy. It’s the kind of old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing dish that always gets second helpings—and nobody will ever guess just how simple it is to make!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the beautiful part: every ingredient in this Crockpot Green Beans Recipe plays a specific, delicious role. You don’t need anything fancy—fresh, familiar ingredients come together to create magic, each one adding to the flavor, color, or just a hint of kick.

• Turkey Bacon: Thick-cut slices add an unbeatable savory, smoky flavor, plus a little crispy crunch for topping.
• Yellow onion: Diced onion softens beautifully and brings mild sweetness that balances the salty turkey bacon.
• Garlic: Just the right touch of minced garlic deepens the savory flavor of the entire dish.
• Chicken broth: This gives richness and keeps the beans tender—use low-sodium if you prefer controlling the salt.
• Garlic salt: Infuses every bite with robust seasoning and aroma.
• Black pepper: Adds a subtle, peppery warmth that wakes up the palate.
• Paprika: For gentle smoky depth and that inviting color.
• Granulated sugar: Just a pinch brightens the vegetables and balances out all the savory ingredients.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: A whisper of heat—optional, but highly recommended for a little zing.
• Fresh green beans: Washed, trimmed, and the star of the show—look for beans that are firm and vibrantly green.
• Butter: A final toss with butter adds silkiness and rich flavor to every forkful.

How to Make Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

Step 1: Crispy turkey Bacon Beginnings

Start by cutting your thick-cut turkey bacon into bite-sized, 1/4 inch pieces. Fry the turkey bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until it turns deeply golden and perfectly crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside—you’ll want to sprinkle this on at the very end for maximum crunch. Don’t even think about tossing that bacon grease!

Step 2: Onion and Garlic Sauté

With the turkey bacon grease glistening in the pan, add your diced onion and let it cook gently, stirring occasionally, until it’s soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Toss in your minced garlic and cook it for just a minute more, until the kitchen smells irresistible. Scoop the buttery onion and garlic into your slow cooker, but go ahead and discard any remaining grease after.

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Bath

Now comes the flavor layering! Pour chicken broth into your 6-quart crockpot, then whisk in garlic salt, black pepper, paprika, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir in half of your cookedturkey bacon so those smoky bits can mingle with the beans as they cook, infusing every pod with deliciousness.

Step 4: Arrange and Cook

Place your fresh green beans in the crockpot, arranging them lengthwise and packed together so they cook evenly. Add more chicken broth if necessary; you want them about 90% covered, but not fully swimming. Pop on the lid, set your crockpot to low for 6–7 hours (or high for about 4), and let time work its magic. Check at the six-hour mark if you like your beans with a little bite, or let them get silkier if that’s your style.

Step 5: Final Finish and Serve

Once your beans have reached the perfect tenderness, drain them from the broth and return them to the warm crockpot. Gently toss in butter until melted and glossy, then sprinkle on the reserved crispy turkey bacon. Taste and add extra salt or pepper as you like. The Crockpot Green Beans Recipe is ready to shine!

How to Serve Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

Garnishes

Top your green beans with extra crispy turkey bacon and maybe even a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and garden-fresh aroma. A gentle dusting of Parmesan or a drizzle of fresh lemon juice can add even more zip, if you’re feeling adventurous.

Side Dishes

This Crockpot Green Beans Recipe pairs perfectly with classic Sunday mains—think roast chicken, glazed ham, or a juicy pork loin. It’s also right at home in a holiday spread next to mashed potatoes and stuffing, or as a simple supper alongside fluffy rice or skillet cornbread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a wow-factor presentation, mound the beans high on a platter and sprinkle on the crispy turkey bacon and herbs just before serving. Or try serving the beans in individual ramekins for dinner party elegance. They’re equally delicious cooled and sliced on a grilled veggie sandwich—talk about leftovers with a twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. These green beans will easily keep for up to four days, making them fantastic for meal prep or midnight nibbles.

Freezing

If you want to freeze your Crockpot Green Beans Recipe, allow them to cool completely first. Then, pack them into freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. They’ll stay tasty in the freezer for up to three months. For best texture, freeze the turkey bacon bits separately and add fresh when reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the beans in a skillet over medium heat or pop them in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth for moisture if needed. If you’ve reserved turkey bacon for topping, crisp it up in a skillet before scattering over the hot beans.

FAQs

Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen green beans will work in a pinch! Just add them straight to the crockpot (no need to thaw), though you might need to adjust the cooking time down slightly since frozen beans tend to cook a bit faster.

Can this Crockpot Green Beans Recipe be made vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the turkey bacon and swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. You can add a touch of smoked paprika for some of that deep, smoky flavor, or dust with toasted almonds for crunch.

Is it possible to make this recipe in advance?

Definitely. This Crockpot Green Beans Recipe is perfect for prepping ahead—just cook them fully, allow to cool, and refrigerate. Reheat gently when you’re ready to serve, adding in extra butter or turkey bacon at the last minute for freshness.

How do I keep the beans from turning mushy?

Be sure not to overcook! Keep an eye on the beans as they approach the six-hour mark on low. Arranging them evenly in the crockpot and checking their doneness lets you control their texture, so they stay tender but not soggy.

What are some other spices or add-ins I could try?

Feel free to make this recipe your own! Try adding a squeeze of lemon at the end, a splash of balsamic vinegar, or tossing in sun-dried tomatoes or toasted nuts for extra interest. You can also experiment with smoked salt, cayenne, or fresh thyme sprigs.

Final Thoughts

With its fresh flavor and unbeatable simplicity, this Crockpot Green Beans Recipe deserves a spot on every family table—whether it’s a weeknight supper or a festive feast. Try it out, share a batch with loved ones, and watch these classic green beans disappear in a flash!

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