Cut bacon into ½ inch pieces and fry until nice and crispy.
While the bacon is cooking, open and drain the green beans, then spread them out into a 3 quart casserole dish. A 9 x 13 Pyrex will work but it will be crowded. I like to use a 4 quart dish so I have more room to stir and serve without spillage.
In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce and garlic powder. Pour it over the green beans.
After the bacon is crispy, use a slotted spoon to sprinkle it over the green beans. Stir the beans to distribute the sauce and the bacon. Bake the beans for 40 minutes.
Notes
Tip for Cooking Bacon for Bits:
I like to slice the bacon into pieces and then fry it. As opposed to frying strips of bacon and then cutting it. Bacon can be a bit ornery to slice, but if you put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes before cutting it, it will be much more manageable.
Use a good quality knife, or kitchen shears to slice the bacon strips into pieces. No need to separate the individual slices. Cut the bacon into ½ inch pieces.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?Absolutely. And since I'm always making this for a group of people, that's what I do. Just prepare the green beans per directions. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.This recipe is easy to half for serving a smaller group.