5 Star Reader Comment
This is a really good recipe for green beans. My grandsons and granddaughter ask for these whenever we have a family gathering.
Grandma Betty
The Slow‑Cooked Green Beans That Taste Like Sunday Supper
In the South, there’s almost always a bowl of “cooked for 40 hours” green beans on the table. Sunday dinners, church homecomings, Thanksgiving, Christmas—somebody’s bringing beans. I loved those beans, but I have been on the hunt for a way to load up the flavor in that classic veggie without overcooking it. I’ve accomplished that goal with these maple bacon green beans!
These Crock Pot Maple Bacon Green Beans are my “set it and forget it” version of those smothered, pot‑luck green beans we all grew up with, just dressed up with a little maple and plenty of smoky bacon. This is the one I pull out when I want a true Southern comfort side that tastes like it cooked all day—but I don’t want to babysit a pot on the stove.
Donya’s Best Tips: Things to Know Before You Cook
- Pick the right heat. Cook on LOW so the beans get tender and soak up flavor without falling apart. In a hurry? Start on HIGH for an hour, then switch to LOW to finish.
- Adjust timing for fresh vs canned.
With fresh beans, plan on the full cook time so they get tender but still hold their shape. With canned beans, start checking much sooner—they’re already soft, so you’re really just letting them soak in the sauce. Overcooking canned beans is how you end up with that “baby food” texture we’re trying to avoid. - Crisp the bacon first. Cook it until it’s good and crisp, then use a little of the drippings to sauté your onion or garlic. That quick step gives you real “from‑scratch” flavor.
- Don’t drown the beans. You’re after a light sauce, not soup. If things look too brothy, crack the lid for the last 20–30 minutes so some liquid can cook off.
- Save a little for the top. Stir most of the bacon into the beans, then sprinkle the rest over the dish right before serving for extra crunch and color.
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans are the star of the show! Make sure they are washed and trimmed.
- For that classic flavor, use a yellow or Vidalia onion.
- I add cooked bacon and soy sauce for salty notes. Store-bought real bacon bits are a good option.
- Maple syrup is my favorite natural way to sweeten these green beans. Honey can be used if that’s what you have.
- Fresh cracked black pepper and salt help brighten all the other flavors.
Easy Twists to Make This Recipe Your Own
- Smokier flavor. Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke along with the broth if you want extra smokiness without more bacon.
- A little heat. Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a sweet‑and‑spicy kick that goes great with the maple and bacon.
- Different beans. This same method works with yellow wax beans or a mix of green and yellow beans if you want more color on the table.
Step By Step Directions
- Add the Veggies: Add green beans, onion, and 1 cup of bacon to a Crock Pot.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together vegetable stock, maple syrup, and soy sauce. Pour over green beans. Sprinkle on pepper and salt and stir ingredients together.
- Cook: Place lid on Crock Pot and set the timer to 5 hours. Stir the green beans half way through cook time.
- Finish with More Bacon: When the timer goes off, stir the green beans and place them on a serving platter or in a bowl. Sprinkle on the remaining ½ cup of chopped bacon and serve.
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Make‑Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Make‑ahead for busy hosts: Cook the bacon and sauté the onion/garlic the day before, then stash them in the fridge. On the day of your dinner, all you have to do is add everything to the crock pot and turn it on. If you’re using fresh beans, you can wash and trim them ahead so they’re ready to go when you are.
- Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3–4 days in a covered container. The flavors actually deepen a bit overnight, which makes them great for next‑day plates.
- To reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth if needed. If you saved any extra bacon, add it right before serving to bring back that little bit of crunch. For parties, you can reheat the beans in the crock pot on LOW until hot, then switch to WARM so they stay perfect on the buffet.
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-½ to 2 pounds washed and trimmed green beans
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons low sodium Soy sauce
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 1-½ cup chopped cooked bacon
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- dash Kosher salt
Instructions
- Add green beans, onion, and 1 cup of bacon to a Crock Pot.
- In a small bowl, stir together vegetable stock, maple syrup, and soy sauce. Pour over green beans. Sprinkle on pepper and salt and stir ingredients together.
- Place lid on Crock Pot and set the timer to 5 hours. Stir the green beans half way through cook time.
- When the timer goes off, stir the green beans and place them on a serving platter or in a bowl. Sprinkle on the remainng ½ cup of chopped bacon and serve.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
On LOW, plan for several hours until the beans are tender and full of flavor; fresh beans will take longer than canned. Start checking canned beans early and stop when they’re soft but still holding their shape.
Use low‑sodium broth if you’re sensitive to salt, and season lightly at the beginning. Make sure to taste toward the end of cooking and add more salt if you need it.
Sure! Chopped ham, country ham, or smoked turkey will all work and still give that smoky, Southern flavor. Just make sure you still have a little fat in the pot so the beans stay rich and flavorful.
Serving Suggestions
In my house, green beans are a staple of any meal. They are perfect for family dinners with air fryer chicken legs and boursin mashed potatoes For Sunday supper I love to serve them with Crock Pot chicken thighs, tomato cucumber salad, baked potatoes, and chocolate chess pie.
If you tried this Crock Pot Maple Bacon Green Beans Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
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Hi I’m making these for Easter. Can I double the recipe if I have a large slow cooker? We will have a crowd. Thanks in advance!
Hey there! I know I’m responding past the holiday, but yes you can! I hope you enjoyed them if you made them! Thank you for cooking with me, Happy Easter! ~Donya
I have been making a version of this for 46 years!
Bacon is not on the list of ongoing. Is it 1 cup uncooked bacon?
Yes.
~Donya
This is a really good recipe for green beans. My grandsons and granddaughter ask for these whenever we have a family gathering.
You are the best, Betty! Thank you for your sweet words and for sharing.
~Donya
I JUST HAVE A QUESTION CAN I USE GREEN BEANS IN THE CAN FOR THIS RECIPE?
Sure.
~Donya
ok great!!!! thank you so much!!!
Would this work with frozen green beans?
Sure. Just make sure they are thawed.
~Donya
Hi Donya! Is the crockpot set on low or high for five hours? Thank you so much!
Hey there Renee!
That is a great question! I set my Crock Pot on LOW for 5 hours to make these Green Beans. I hope this helps, let me know how the recipe turns out if you end up giving it a try! Have a Happy Holiday!
~Donya
I will be making these for thanksgiving.
Hey there Dee!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I am so happy to hear you’ll be making this for Thanksgiving! This recipe is great for holidays since it’s in the Crock Pot, making this will really free up space in the oven. If you have any questions about the recipe, please feel free to ask! Thank you so much for your support, I am so honored to have a recipe at your Thanksgiving feast!
~Donya