Brown Sugar Green Beans [No Bacon]

Brown sugar green beans [with no bacon] are the sweet and savory holiday and everyday side dish of your dreams. With just 6 ingredients and under 20 minutes, transform simple and inexpensive ingredients into a vegan version of these delicious green beans.

Perfectly Sweet and Savory Vegan Crack Green Beans

If you love candied yams (especially with marshmallows), you clearly appreciate the combination of sweet and savory as part of your dinner and holiday offerings. And while most people set green beans to a fate of creamy green bean casserole (which is also delicious, I admit!), brown sugar green beans (aka sweet green beans) are my new favorite way of enjoying this humble vegetable!

With fresh, frozen, or canned green beans, you can enjoy this Southern-inspired, bacon-free vegan recipe of green beans with brown sugar with very little prep time or effort.

It’s perfect for serving as a crowd-pleasing side dish and at potlucks, parties, holidays, or any family dinner! Enjoy it alongside other family favorites, like vegan stuffing (or low-carb cauliflower stuffing) and garlic-herb roasted vegetables. 

What Are Sweet Green Beans (Arkansas Green Beans)?

Several names refer to this dish, including sweet green beans, Arkansas green beans, caramelized green beans, Southern smothered green beans, and brown sugar green beans. All of which refer to a Southern dish of fresh or canned green beans cooked into a sweet and savory sauce containing brown sugar, butter, and often soy sauce, often mixed with crispy bacon.

For this vegan sweet green bean recipe, though, we are ditching the bacon for a super delicious dish that’s 100% meat and dairy-free. The contrast of flavors still makes for a delicious combination, made even better with the zingy, lightly spicy addition of Dijon mustard. I’ve then also added walnuts to add crunch and texture in place of the bacon. The combination transforms this humble vegetable into a side dish you’ll never tire of.

It’s surprisingly quick to throw together as well, even quicker if you’re using canned beans (as they’re pre-cooked). Making this an excellent side even on lazy evenings! And. Since it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and can even be made with a sugar alternative, these sweet green beans really are great for serving crowds!

The Ingredients

Minimal ingredients enhance the flavor of the green beans in this sweet green bean recipe.

• Green beans: You can use fresh or frozen green beans (thawed first). Canned beans may work, but you can skip the steaming process, and they’ll be mushier.
• Vegan butter: I love Miyoko’s or Earth balance.
• Garlic: I prefer fresh garlic, but garlic powder will work in a pinch.
• Brown sugar: The molasses flavor in brown sugar is perfect for complimenting the green beans and remaining ingredients in the sweet glaze.

You could also use a brown sugar alternative. However, note that the level of sweetness may vary, so adjust accordingly. Likewise, the sauce won’t thicken in the same way regular sugar does.

• Mustard: I prefer to use Dijon mustard for the best flavor, making delicious, sweet, and spicy green beans.
• Walnuts: Use raw (or lightly toasted), unsalted walnuts. Slivered almonds will also work, or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free option.
• Salt & black pepper: Season to taste. Alternatively, use soy sauce (tamari if you’re gluten-free) instead of salt for added depth and umami.

Add-ins & Recipe Variations

There are several ways to adapt this Thanksgiving green beans recipe. Here are my top options.

• Onion: You can add thinly sliced shallots/sweet onions or use some onion powder.
• Vegan bacon: To mimic traditional brown sugar green beans and bacon, cook and chop up several pieces of your favorite vegan bacon to stir into the sweet green beans when serving.
• Ginger: Use alongside or replace the garlic with a small amount of ginger for added spicy zing.
• Red pepper flakes: Enjoy sweet and spicy green beans with a pinch of chili flakes or some garlic chili sauce.

How to Make Vegan Brown Sugar Green Beans?

This vegan sweet green beans recipe comes together in no time, with minimal hands-on prep and basic, inexpensive pantry staples.

• 1) First, rinse and trim the ends of the green beans. Also, mince the garlic.

How to trim green beans? First, lay a bundle of green beans on your cutting board, lining up the ends. Then, use a sharp knife to cut off the very end. Then line up the other end and repeat. Continue until you trim all the green beans.

• 2) Then, fill a saucepan with an inch of water and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Then, place a steamer basket into the pot, add the green beans, and cover it with a lid.

• 3) Allow the green beans to steam for 5-8 minutes until tender-crisp.

Alternatively, you could boil the green beans for a similar amount of time until bright green and tender-crisp.

• 4) Meanwhile, heat the vegan butter over medium heat until melted in a medium-large skillet. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for about 45 seconds.

• 5) Stir in the brown sugar and mustard, stirring until it melts into a sauce.

• 6) Finally, add the walnuts and green beans and toss everything until the green beans are evenly coated. Enjoy immediately!

Enjoy the sweet green beans on your holiday table (for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter), at roast dinners, potlucks, or any family dinner!

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Adjust the green bean texture: Adjust the cooking time of the beans based on if you’d like tender or tender-crisp green beans. This will also change based on whether you use frozen or fresh green beans.
• Chop to size: You can leave the green beans whole or cut them down into bite-sized pieces for these brown sugar green beans.
• Adjust the sweetness: Increase or decrease the amount to taste. Also, note that if you use a sugar substitute, the level or ‘sweetness’ will change, so adjust accordingly.
• For more caramelized green beans: Increase the time you cook the green beans in the brown sugar glaze (over low temperature). The process can take up to 40 minutes for traditional caramelized green beans, but cook it to your desired level. Just a few additional minutes is great.

Storage Recommendations

Store: Allow the brown sugar green beans to cool and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can store leftovers in a freezer-safe container or Ziplock/Stasher bag/s for 3-4 months. Upon thawing, the beans will be mushier but taste delicious.

Reheat: The leftovers will reheat well in a microwave (in 20-30 second increments) or a skillet (over low heat).

More Vegan Side Dishes

• Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes
• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
• Easy cranberry pear sauce
• Air fryer butternut squash
• Air fryer acorn squash
• Air Fryer Asparagus

If you try this quick and easy vegan brown sugar green beans recipe (with no bacon), I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla