# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Your guests will be so impressed when you serve them these beautiful and delicious bacon wrapped green beans. Skip the green bean casserole this year for Thanksgiving and serve green bean bundles instead!

I'm of the opinion that everything is always better with bacon. These bacon wrapped green bean bundles are no exception, and they're PERFECT for Thanksgiving! Everyone will think you spent hours on them, when they're really actually quite simple to make with a few little tips and tricks.

How to make green bean bundles

Let's talk about the green beans first. Not all green beans are created equal. I highly recommend using thin green beans, or the smaller French green beans (also known as haricot vert). I've used the French green beans in these photos. Many stores carry french green beans, but they're typically not in the bulk bins like standard green beans. You'll find french green beans pre-packaged in bags in the produce section, often near the bagged baby carrots, broccoli etc. French green beans are readily available and inexpensive at Trader Joe's, but I have seen them at other larger chain supermarkets too. If you can't find the French beans, just use small thin standard green beans, it'll be just as delicious!

I have two key tips for making sure your green bean bundles come out perfect every time. The first tip is to blanch the green beans, then submerge them in ice water to set their color. This will help prevent them from losing their bright green color in the oven. The next tip is to par cook your bacon. You want the bacon to still be soft and pliable, so don't overdo it here or it won't wrap easily around the beans. You'll want to secure the bacon around the green beans with a toothpick. You can remove the toothpick prior to serving, but just be aware that these green bean bundles tend to be on the more fragile side, simply because you've got a small strip of meat holding 8-10 green beans in place. So handle the final product with care!

These green bean bundles will definitely be on my Thanksgiving table this year, such a fun alternative to the traditional green bean casserole!

More holiday side dishes

Green Bean Bundles

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Your guests will be so impressed when you serve them these beautiful and delicious bacon wrapped green beans. Skip the green bean casserole this year for Thanksgiving and serve green bean bundles instead! I'm of the opinion that everything is always better with bacon.

# data[].attributes.body
We give this recipe a 10/10. We all enjoyed it and it wasn't hard to make. We recommend

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sautéed Green Beans with garlic is a wonderful, classic preparation for a green beans recipe. Totally delicious, quick and easy.

# data[].attributes.body
In our demonstration video, we made green bean mac n cheese. We showed all the steps and gave our review on the dish.

# data[].attributes.body
Green beans are supposed to look very green and stiff

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's time to pick up some of the season's most delectable green beans! Whether you're making a fresh green bean salad or steaming 'em in a foil packet on the grill, you want a sweet and tender bean with snap. (Forget about the sad-looking beans with brown spots.) If you're not sure exactly how to pick green beans, you've come to the right place. Here are top insider tips to help you along the way:

Check out the color

The first thing you want to do is check out the color. As its name suggests, a green bean should be green! If you find that the beans at your grocery store or farmers market have a yellowish (or brownish) hue, that's a sign that something is wrong. Instead, look for fresh beans that are brightly colored and stand out when it comes to their vibrancy. Can't wait to cook them? Try these delicious green bean recipes.

Look at the surface of the bean

The skin should be smooth and tight. If you find that the skin has weathered bumps, lumps and creases, that's a problem. The surface tells you a lot about how the beans might taste. You don't want overripe beans, so give any blemished bushels a pass.

Make sure they snap

When beans are at their mid-summer peak, they should snap. Look for a brightly colored bean that feels firm. Bend the pod and wait until you hear that all-too-familiar snapping sound. When the beans are ripe, they should snap quickly and easily. You don't have to snap every bean, but testing one in every batch is a surefire way to make sure the ones you're picking will be delicious!

Psst... Here are more ways to make sure produce is ripe.

Avoid beans that are too large

For green beans, you might think that "bigger is better." Nothing could be further from the truth. When they're too large or excessively thick, you might find that beans get tough or stringy. You'll lose that sharp, fresh green bean flavor, too.
Don't miss our guide on how cook the perfect green beans-four ways!
Feel for moisture

When green beans are old and dry, they lack the sweet flavor we know and love. You can tell how dry the beans are by touching them. To keep the beans moist and fresh, store them in your refrigerator's crisper drawer in a plastic bag. (Don't worry about rinsing them or snapping the ends off 'til you're ready to cook.) Get to know if you can eat raw green beans.

Try more of our farmers market favorites.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What to Look For When Buying Fresh Green Beans

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You want a sweet and tender bean with snap! (Forget about the sad-looking beans with brown spots.) Here's how to pick green beans that are perfectly fresh.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
1. Pat shrimp dry using paper towels. Chop shrimp into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside.

2. Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch skillet over high until a drop of water evaporates within 1 to 2 seconds of contact. Swirl in 1 tablespoon oil. Add beans, and sprinkle with salt; reduce heat to medium-low so that beans are barely sizzling. Cook, making quick scooping motions with a metal spatula, constantly tossing and tumbling (stir-frying) the beans until they just begin to blister and brown in spots and are almost tender, 3 to 6 minutes. Transfer beans to a plate.

3. Increase heat under wok to high, and swirl in remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add garlic; cook, stir-frying constantly, until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add chopped shrimp, and break up any clumps using a metal spatula; cook, stir-frying constantly, until shrimp just take on an orange-pink hue, about 1 minute. Return beans to wok, and add scallions, fish sauce, pickled ginger, and sugar; cook, stir-frying constantly, until shrimp are just cooked through and beans are tender, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Find yellow (undyed) pickled sushi ginger on the international foods aisle at supermarkets or at Chinese or Japanese grocery stores, or order organic pickled sushi ginger from gingerpeople.com.

Originally appeared: May 2021

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dry-Fried Sichuan-Style Green Beans with Shrimp

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dry-Fried Sichuan-Style Green Beans with Shrimp by Grace Young use pickled ginger, fish sauce, and scallions to add sweetness, deep savoriness, and brightness to tender green beans.

# data[].attributes.body
This is our video on how to keep green beans fresh and preparation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Runner and green beans make a delicious addition to a comforting pasta bake - top with pumpkin seeds for added crunch