Easy Arkansas Green Beans

A dark soy sauce glaze pairs with the deeper more savory bacon and is sweetened with brown sugar to make these delicious Arkansas Green Beans.

Arkansas Green Beans Recipe

Classic green beans coated with this thick and rich glaze create one of the easiest and most flavorful green bean side dishes we’ve made.

If you love the combination of butter and bacon in our Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch or Bacon Potato Casserole it will be even more magical coating tender green beans.

Similar to our Bacon Onion Green Beans, but more sweet than tangy since there are no onions, this is a popular vegetable casserole at potlucks and family celebrations.

Our Arkansas Green Beans Recipes is a perfect side dish that can be tossed together in ten minutes to make a memorable addition to the Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas table.

To make a similar recipe in an electric roaster see our Green Beans for a Crowd recipe.

Why This Recipe For Arkansas Green Beans Works

• A home economics extension agent through the Ohio State University shared a few of her best recipes with me and this Arkansas Green Beans in on the list along with Barley Soup.
• This vegetable casserole is the best way to enjoy green beans without onions making it a popular alternative to some common holiday recipes.
• We truly have no idea why these are called Arkansas Green Beans, but we know that people in the south have a reputation for being great cooks and using plenty of bacon and butter to make everything better!

Ingredients Needed

• Green Beans – Italian green beans in the freezer section are our favorite option. Regular frozen green beans or fresh green beans work well too.
• Bacon – Regular or thick cut are fine. Chop up the bacon well to blend the flavor into every bite possible.
• Brown Sugar – There’s a generous amount in this recipe, I think it still tastes great if you cut the sugar down to 1/4 cup.
• Butter – Be sure to use real butter as margarine won’t give that special flavor that makes these a southern favorite and Arkansas style.
• Soy Sauce – The deep, dark salty speciality that deepens the other savory flavors.
• Garlic Powder – The shortcut to using minced garlic that spreads over the whole pan of beans more easily.

Step By Step Instructions

I often like to bake bacon, but for this recipe I typically use a frying pan. This allows me to keep a closer eye on how the bacon is browning.

The goal is to remove from the heat and drain before it becomes crispy.

Use paper towels to remove any extra grease and then chop into pieces.

The Sauce

In a small mixing bowl melt butter and measure out garlic powder, soy sauce and brown sugar.

Stir it all together.

How To Make Arkansas Green Beans

Pour partially defrosted green beans into a 9 x 13″ dish.

Sprinkle chopped bacon evenly over the top including the edges.

Then take the sauce and pour as evenly as possible over top of the green beans.

Bake uncovered in an oven preheated to 350℉ until the sauce melts and the beans become tender.

Cooking through takes 30 to 35 minutes. Check to see that center is warm and cooked through before serving.

Cover with foil and place in a warming drawer to hold if necessary. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Take care not to over cook the bacon or it will be too dry after baking in the oven with the green beans.
• Green beans can be totally frozen, but we try to partially defrost is possible to speed up baking time.
• Canned green beans may be drained and used, but baking time will likely decrease. If choosing canned beans, use a thicker, high quality brand for best results.

More Delicious Vegetable Recipes:

Scalloped Corn Casserole is an old fashioned favorite that is great to mix up ahead of time and bake later.

Honey Garlic Roasted Potatoes is a glorious combination of common ingredients to make a special spud.

Baked Vegetable Medley is a combination of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and more to make a warm casserole.

Sautéed Zucchini, Squash and Onions is excellent in the summer when produce is plentiful.