Green Bean Bundles–Do You Need a New Side Dish?

During my teaching years, writing assignments were added to all curriculum. That’s where this green bean bundle favorite originated.

All students were asked to write a story about a favorite recipe and share the recipe with me. Some recipes and stories were glorious…and others, not so much!

When I read the story and the recipe for the green bean bundles, I was intrigued. When that recipe was made…it was love at first bite. Green beans, brown sugar, soy sauce, bacon and garlic…what’s not to love, right?

Green Bean Bundles were a keeper!

They were such a hit in the classroom, that they began to be added to holiday gathering menus and catering events for the school.

That meant that I had to fine tune the recipe and make it for a larger group, plus, be pretty accurate on guesstimating the number of bundles each recipe made. This recipe size is perfect for even a smaller group because the leftovers are never refused later!

This recipe now is always requested when my kids and grandkids are home. It’s a favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas family gatherings. It would make a perfect addition to your New Year’s Eve menu.

Green bean bundles are the perfect side dish for summer evenings with a great grilled steak. They are just a wonderful complement to so many menus.

One of the reasons I love to make green bean bundles is that they are best if they are made the day before the event to marinate before baking. It’s a perfect time saver to make and tuck into the fridge and bake right before the meal.

Is that a good reason for you?

This means less work on the day that I am serving them, right?

I always use a parchment paper lined cookie sheet with sides to capture all of that goodness when cooking. Begin with cutting the bacon in half.

Drain those whole green beans and begin adding in a bunch of 6 or so on top of a bacon slice half. Wrap around and insert a round wooden toothpick to hold it together.

Line them up on the tray.

Next, follow the recipe instructions on heating the sauce.

Pour the sauce down the center of the bundles, cover and refrigerate for an hour or so, or overnight before baking.

TIP: I love to add toothpicks inserted standing up around the bundles to prevent the cover from sticking to the sauce. That way when I get ready to bake, the sauce is on the green bean bundles and not the covering!

Here’s the green bean bundle version that we have all come to love:

I hope that you will love this side dish. If you haven’t had these in your life, you are in for a real treat! Our favorite with steak, chicken or turkey.

When you are planning a gathering for the holidays for family and friends with feet gathered under your table, won’t you please add these to the menu?

Your guests will thank you! I’m still thanking Crystal for that writing assignment and so is the rest of my family.

Recently when my son called from Boise, he said, “Mom, the kids are talking about missing having your green bean bundles.”

My heart was happy. The recipe has now become a tradition and with all good traditions come great memories.

If you need other recipes that are holiday traditions, I can help you out! Here are a few to help get your holidays going!

Cheese roll

French muffins

Nuts and bolts

Molasses cookies

Dressing

Scottish Shortbread

Happy gathering, friends!