Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon
These Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon are an easy, comforting side dish that’s packed with flavor.
GLUTEN FREE SIDE
Lauren Vasnelis
7/14/2026
Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon
These Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon are an easy, comforting side dish that’s packed with flavor. Fresh green beans slowly cook with onions, garlic, turkey bacon, and a savory broth until perfectly tender. They’re simple enough for a weeknight dinner but delicious enough for holidays, cookouts, and family gatherings.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free when prepared with gluten-free ingredients, and it’s easy to customize with regular bacon or turkey bacon depending on your preference.
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Ingredient Breakdown
Fresh Green Beans
Fresh green beans are the star of this recipe. I highly recommend using fresh because they keep their texture much better during the slow cook. Frozen green beans can be used in a pinch, but they’ll become noticeably softer.
Trim the ends before adding them to the crock pot. If your green beans are especially long, you can cut them in half for easier serving.
Turkey Bacon
I typically make this recipe with turkey bacon, but regular bacon works just as well.
Turkey bacon keeps the dish a little lighter while still adding a delicious smoky flavor. If you choose regular bacon, you may notice a slightly richer finished dish because of the additional fat it releases while cooking.
If you’re making this recipe gluten-free, always check the ingredient label on your bacon, as some brands contain additives that aren’t gluten-free.
Onion
Yellow onion slowly softens as it cooks, adding natural sweetness that balances the smoky bacon and savory broth.
White onions work just as well, while sweet onions create a slightly sweeter finished dish.
Butter
A little butter adds richness and helps coat the green beans as they cook.
I use dairy-free butter to keep the recipe dairy-free, but regular butter works perfectly too.
Garlic
I love garlic, so this recipe definitely leans garlic-heavy.
If you’re sensitive to garlic, reduce the amount or substitute garlic powder for a much milder flavor. I also typically use jarred minced garlic because it’s convenient and always in my refrigerator.
Vegetable Broth
You only need a small splash of vegetable broth (or water) to help create steam inside the crock pot.
Vegetable broth adds a little extra flavor, but water works perfectly if that’s what you have available.
Chicken Bouillon Base
The chicken bouillon base adds deep, savory flavor without needing a large amount of broth.
If you’re making this recipe gluten-free, be sure to check the label on your chicken bouillon base, as not all brands are gluten-free.
Ingredients
8 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed (about 2 servings)
4 strips turkey bacon (or regular bacon)
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon dairy-free butter (or regular butter)
2 tablespoons minced garlic (adjust to taste)
Splash of vegetable broth (or water)
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon base
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Optional
Cooked turkey bacon
Cooked regular bacon
Raw turkey or regular bacon (for a softer dump-and-go version)
Liquid smoke
Instructions
Trim the fresh green beans if needed and roughly chop the onion.
Add the green beans, onion, turkey bacon (or regular bacon), butter, garlic, vegetable broth (or water), chicken bouillon base, salt, and pepper directly into the crock pot.
Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Cover with the lid and slow cook on High for 2 hours.
Give everything one final stir before serving and enjoy.
Lauren's Tips 💛
One of the Easiest Side Dishes You'll Ever Make
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how little work it requires. Once everything is in the crock pot, simply put the lid on and let it cook. It’s one of my favorite side dishes for holidays, cookouts, or busy weeknights because it practically cooks itself.
Cooked or Raw Bacon? Both Work!
I usually recommend using cooked turkey bacon or regular bacon because it gives the finished dish a little more texture.
That said, if you truly want this to be a dump-and-go recipe, you can absolutely use raw bacon. Just know that the bacon won’t crisp as it cooks in the crock pot. It will be much softer, which I personally don’t mind at all.
Notes
This recipe makes 2 servings because I used a small batch of fresh green beans from my garden. If you’re cooking for a family or bringing these to a gathering, I recommend doubling or even tripling the recipe. The cooking time remains the same.
Fresh green beans provide the best texture, but frozen green beans can be substituted if needed.
When preparing this recipe gluten-free, be sure to verify that your bacon and chicken bouillon base are gluten-free before adding them to the crock pot.
Please check ingredient labels carefully. While all of my recipes are designed to be gluten-free, not every product I use is certified gluten-free. Always verify ingredient labels to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes! Fresh green beans provide the best texture, but frozen green beans work well if that’s what you have available.
Do I have to use turkey bacon?
No. Regular bacon works just as well.
What if I don't eat bacon?
A small splash of liquid smoke is a great way to add smoky flavor without using bacon.
If you’d still like a smoky, meaty flavor without pork, cooked turkey bacon or chicken bacon are excellent alternatives. Simply cook them ahead of time, chop them into bite-sized pieces, and stir them into the crock pot before cooking.
If you’d like to make this recipe completely vegetarian, you’ll also need to replace the chicken bouillon base with a vegetarian or vegetable bouillon.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! I actually recommend doubling or tripling this recipe for holidays or larger family meals. The cooking time remains the same.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes! If you’re sensitive to garlic or simply prefer a milder flavor, garlic powder is an excellent substitute.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely! They reheat beautifully and make an excellent make-ahead side dish.
