Slow cooker smothered green beans are the perfect side dish for almost any meal. They are easy to make, have a great sweet and sour sauce and plenty of bacon to make them extra tasty!

We took our favorite recipe for sweet and sour smothered green beans and adapted it for the slow cooker. So now there is no need to turn on the oven.
That means making tasty green beand won’t heat up the kitchen during the summer. It also means there is one less side dish to take up oven space while making a big holiday meal.

Making the green beans in a crock pot makes them portable and easy to serve at parties as well. So it really is a great recipe for so many situations.
This easy recipe is one of the most popular vegetable dishes in our extended family. Little Dude gets excited every time he sees green beans because of it and is disappointed if they are used to make any other recipe.
What makes these green beans so good?
Of course the beans themselves and the bacon are important to the final dish. The green beans are the perfect vehicle to get all of the flavor onto your plate and into your mouth.
The bacon adds the savory smokiness that makes it such a good addition to almost any dish. It adds such great balance easy layers of flavor.

But it is the sweet and sour sauce that really makes these green beans shine. The mix of umami rich and salty soy sauce with sweet brown sugar is a good base.
A little bit of garlic adds one more layer of flavor. And the butter helps it all to coat the beans and your tongue in flavor.
The combination of everything makes for a fantastic side dish. And the best part is it goes with everything from grilled meat to hot sandwiches.

They go well with roasted chicken or turkey or a nice pork chop. They are perfect with burgers, bbq chicken or even slow cooker chicken and gravy.
So be sure to whip up a batch and see for yourself. It may just become your new favorite side dish.
More slow cooker side dish ideas
Slow cooker creamed corn is super simple and delicious. It is beyond creamy and is always a favorite.
For a more savory version of slow cooker green beans, try making these crock pot green beans. They have bacon and onion soup to make a simple but tasty side dish.
Make slow cooker macaroni and cheese with corn for another easy side. You don’t even have to boil the noodles first.
Or make some slow cooker loaded mashed potatoes for another family pleaser.
Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Slow Cooker Smothered Green Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 14.5 oz. cans green beans, drained
- 7 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 Tablespoon dehydrated minced onion
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours.
- Stir and serve.
Notes
Nutrition

Susan
Sunday 31st of July 2022
I have an allergy to milk so I substituted the rendered bacon grease for the butter and cut the sugar in half. I'm just not a sweets person and others may like it on the sweet side. My family enjoys these beans.
Carlee
Sunday 31st of July 2022
Bacon grease is a great way to avoid the dairy. I reduce the sugar sometimes too, it depends on my mood. They are great both ways. I am glad you enjoy the recipe!
Leslie
Saturday 1st of January 2022
Delicious! Easy for a crowd!
Carlee
Saturday 1st of January 2022
I am so glad you liked them!