These bacon-wrapped green bean bundles are the perfect holiday side dish and are baked in a zesty homemade Catalina dressing. It's a wonderful gluten-free and dairy-free side dish that is always a crowd-pleaser!
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose
Keyword: bacon-wrapped green beans, best green bean dishes, Catalina dressing, easy green bean side dishes, green bean bundles, green bean side dish, Holiday side dish, how to cook green beans
Servings: 8servings
Calories: 216kcal
Author: Whitney Reist | Sweet Cayenne
Ingredients
For the sauce:
¼cupred wine vinegar
¼cupketchup
¼cupbrown sugar (can also substitute with honey)
2teaspoonsWorcestershire sauce
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
½teaspoononion powder
¼teaspoongarlic powder
¼cupgrapeseed or avocado oil
1teaspoonKosher salt
½teaspoonfreshly cracked black pepper, plus more for topping
For the green bean bundles:
24ounces(1 ½ pounds) fresh green beans, trimmed
¼cupKosher salt
8ouncesbacon, each piece cut into thirds (this is ⅔ of a 12-ounce package; do not use thick-cut bacon)
Instructions
For the sauce:
In a blender or small food processor, combine the red wine vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, onion, and garlic powder. Cover and blend until smooth. With the blender or processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil through the top vent until the dressing is thoroughly emulsified. Add the salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 1 week ahead of time.
Alternatively, you can make the dressing with a whisk in a large bowl, just be sure to slowly drizzle in the oil after the other ingredients are combined.
For the green bean bundles:
When ready to bake the green beans, preheat the oven to 400°F.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the ¼ cup of salt, followed by the green beans. Boil the green beans for one minute, then transfer with a fine mesh sieve to a large bowl of ice water. Let the beans sit in the ice water for a minute or so, then transfer to a paper towel and pat them dry.
Grease a large 9x13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Wrap 5-6 beans in one of the bacon pieces. Place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining amount of beans and bacon pieces. You should have about 24 bundles total.This step can be done up to 1 day ahead, if desired.
Pour the entire amount of the sauce over the green beans bundles, coating the top of each one evenly. Bake the green beans for 20-30 minutes until the bacon is cooked and the tops and edges are crisp. Serve while hot!