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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Side Dishes » Slow Cooker Green Beans and Bacon

Slow Cooker Green Beans and Bacon

by Sarah Olson on January 3, 2022 | Updated November 21, 2022 8 Comments

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long photo of green beans and bacon in slow cooker
Collage of green beans and bacon with text of what the ingredients are.
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If you are looking for the best green bean side dish, try my Slow Cooker Green Beans and Bacon recipe! Has a wonderfully tangy and smoky flavor.

If you have more than one slow cooker and need more sides, try my jalapeno corn or mashed potato recipes.

green beans and bacon is sauce in slow cooker and on wooden spoon

These crockpot green beans are the PERFECT side dish that is full of flavor! This is your dish if you don’t want a creamy green bean casserole. Bring this to potlucks or serve on a holiday.

Ingredients for green beans and bacon on table

Recipe Ingredients

  • Green beans – My family prefers canned beans, it’s what we grew up on. If you like fresh, those work fine in this recipe.
  • Sauce – I make a tangy mixture of bacon drippings, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke (optional), garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
  • Bacon – An entire package of bacon. You’ll want to slice, then cook the bacon before adding it to the slow cooker. Do not add the bacon raw, it will not taste good in this recipe unless browned.
  • Onion – We like to use a sweet yellow onion.
sauce for green beans with bacon and onion on the side

Step-by-Step Directions

Step One – Chop and then cook bacon. Do not drain bacon grease from the pan. Be sure to set aside 3 Tablespoons of bacon grease to be used for the sauce.

Step Two – Add the bacon grease, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke (optional), Worcestershire, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and rosemary leaves in a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

2 photo collage. Green beans in slow cooker and green beans with cooked bacon on top.

Step Three – Drain green beans and add them to the slow cooker.

Step Four – Add the bacon and onions. Pour sauce over the green beans. Stir. Place the lid on the slow cooker—Cook on HIGH for 3 hours and on LOW for 6 hours.

cooked green beans and bacon in slow cooker

Recipes FAQs

Do I have to add bacon drippings?

If you prefer not to use bacon drippings, you can add a few tablespoons of water for moisture. Or add three tablespoons of water and one beef or a chicken bouillon cube.

Can I use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon?

Yes, turkey bacon works excellent in this recipe. Be sure to brown it first, as you would pork bacon for this recipe.

Can I overcook green beans in the slow cooker?

If you don’t mind soft green beans, then no! Of course, they will burn if you leave them for hours too long, but you do not need to worry about them getting overdone if cooked a little extra.

Can I use fresh green beans?

You can use 6-8 cups of fresh green beans instead of canned in this recipe; use whichever you prefer. The cook time remains the same.

Can I use frozen green beans?

Yes! Frozen green beans are picked at their freshest and often frozen the same day. You can use 6-8 cups of frozen green beans in place of canned.

How to store:

Place the cooked and cooled green beans into airtight containers. Place in the fridge for five days or in the freezer for up to three months.

How can I make crockpot green beans vegetarian?

Omit the bacon and bacon drippings. Add three tablespoons of water. The beans will still have great flavor from the Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke.

Can I add chicken broth to green beans?

Yes! Chicken broth goes great with green beans. You can even add water and a chicken bouillon cube.

white bowl with green beans in it

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cooked green beans and bacon in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon Recipe

4.64 from 11 votes
Dress up canned green beans for a wonderful side dish!
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 304kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 3 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 58 oz. canned green beans (four 14.5-oz. cans) or use 6-8 cups fresh
  • 12 oz. center cut bacon (save bacon grease; the next ingredient)
  • 1 sweet yellow onion
  • 3 Tbsp. bacon grease from above bacon
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke optional
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 sprig rosemary (or 1/4 tsp. dried)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Chop and then cook bacon. Do not drain bacon grease from the pan. Be sure to set aside 3 Tablespoons of bacon grease to be used in the sauce.
  • In a small mixing bowl, add the bacon grease, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke (optional), Worcestershire, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and rosemary leaves. Whisk to combine.
  • Drain green beans and add them to the slow cooker. Add the bacon and onions. Pour sauce over the green beans. Stir.
  • Cover and cook on High for 3 hours or low 6 hours. Enjoy!
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Do I have to add bacon drippings?
  • If you prefer not to use bacon drippings you can add a few tablespoons of water for moisture.
  • Or add 3 tablespoons of water and one beef or a chicken bouillon cube.
Can I use turkey bacon?
  • Yes, turkey bacon works great in this recipe.
  • Be sure to brown it first as you would pork bacon for this recipe.
How can I make crockpot green beans vegetarian?
Omit the bacon and bacon drippings. Add three tablespoons of water. The beans will still have great flavor from the Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke.
How to store:
Place the cooked and cooled green beans into airtight containers. Place in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 583mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1436IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More Green Bean Side Dish Recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Classic Green Bean Casserole
  • Slow Cooker Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
  • Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans and Bacon
  • Slow Cooker Ham and Green Bean Chowder

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    1628 shares
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    Filed Under: Side Dishes

    Comments

    1. b.h says

      July 4, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      1 star
      If you ever imagined what old spice deodorant tasted like… I think it would be this.

      Reply
    2. Magnolia says

      September 22, 2021 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      I would like to add apples to this recipe. When do you think I should add in the Apple slices??

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 23, 2021 at 7:24 am

        I would add them at the beginning with everything else.

        Reply
    3. Jennifer Degroat says

      August 8, 2021 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      Fist time making this delicious dish!! In the crock now but smells delicious!! Can’t wait to try!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 8, 2021 at 2:43 pm

        I think you will love it!

        Reply
        • Jennifer degroat says

          August 10, 2021 at 7:00 am

          It was delicious

    4. Karen Craig says

      April 5, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      These green beans were excellent! I made them for Easter as a side dish. The family loved them. The recipe is very easy to follow. I did not use the liquid smoke as I would be buying it just for this recipe. I did add a can sliced potatoes in during the last hour because we like them with our green beans. This worked out perfectly. I will be making this dish again. Thank you.

      Reply

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