Southern green beans are the ultimate comfort food side-dish.
Green beans are slow-cooked with smokey bacon and onions until tender-crisp with just a hint of sweetness.
- This recipes is always a hit around the dinner table!
- It’s a simple and comforting dish.
- Simmering the beans in broth makes them flavorful and hearty.
- Southern green beans evoke all the flavors of soul food!
Ingredients and Variations
Green Beans: Fresh green beans are best and will stay firmer longer than canned or frozen, but they can be used too. Frozen green beans don’t have to be thawed, but add a few minutes to the cooking time. Canned green beans should be drained and rinsed before using.
Bacon: Bacon does double duty in this recipe as a fat for the green beans and garlic to be fried in and as a crispy, salty addition. Any kind of bacon works; hickory, applewood, or maple. Save leftover bacon grease in a jar in the fridge and use it to saute mushrooms or zucchini and tomatoes.
Broth: Chicken or turkey broth adds savory flavor in Step 4. You can also use bouillon cubes if time is short.
Variations: Saute diced potatoes, sundried tomatoes, water chestnuts, or thin slices of carrots in Step 3. Serve with extra bacon crumbles on top or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Squirt a little lemon juice over the top before serving to brighten the flavors.
How to Make Southern-Style Green Beans
- Fry the bacon until crisp. Then sauté the onions in bacon fat until softened.
- Add the remaining ingredients (recipe below) and simmer until tender.
- Toss with the reserved bacon, season, and serve.
Best Way to Store Southern Green Beans
- Make Southern style green beans up to 3 days ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to reheat on the stovetop on medium heat.
- Keep leftover Southern green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Use leftovers in a green bean casserole.
- Freeze in a zippered bag for up to 3 months. Reheat them in a pot with fresh chicken broth on medium heat.
Green Beans Go Great With…
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Southern Green Beans
Southern green beans are a simple side dish that is savory, smoky, and sweet.
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Cut the beans into 1 ½ inch pieces.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, add the bacon and fry until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate reserving the bacon fat.
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Add the onion, and cook stirring frequently until it begins to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
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Add the green beans and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the broth, cover, and let simmer for 30 to 60 minutes or until tender.
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Uncover, and add the bacon, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
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Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days and in the freezer for 3 months.
Calories: 85 | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 614mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 788IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
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