Southern Green Beans are slow-cooked string beans with onion, garlic, and crisp bacon. The end result is heavenly: scrumptious, tender, melt-in-your-mouth green beans.
These are not to be confused with northern-style green beans, which are cooked crisp and tender, sometimes with crispy bacon or just a bit of butter, garlic, salt, and pepper.
My family adores these Southern Green Beans! Boy, do I love some Southern cooking!! Southern cooking brings comfort, like fluffy slippers, to cold feet. Southern cooking is a cure-all for whatever ails you and may be the best regional cooking ever!!! These Southern Green Beans are no exception to that rule. I could quite literally eat these with every meal, perhaps even breakfast. If you have never tried these, you MUST give them a whirl.
As with most good Southern comfort food, all you need is a little time as it simmers for an hour or so. Now, isn’t that how the South rolls, like a fine-oiled machine?! These Southern Green Beans combine fresh green beans, smoked bacon, and onion into the most mouth-watering side dish imaginable. Prep is a breeze, and your family will be singing your praises.
How to cook fresh green beans Southern-style
Folks, it does not get much easier than this. First, It takes a little patience while they cook, but I am sure you have other chores to attend to. Then brown your bacon, and add your onions and garlic. Remove these and set them aside. Add your trimmed green beans, chicken broth, and seasoning using the same pot without removing the bacon fat. Simmer for at least one hour and drain the chicken broth. Add the bacon, onion, and garlic to the green beans and heat over low for a few minutes.
How to season Southern Green Beans.
Seasoning can be very personal with people, so here are some options for my whole spectrum of readers. For those of you who like a lot of flavor (myself included), add some Cajun seasoning. You can include anything from a one-half teaspoon to a full teaspoon. Readers with a more sensitive palate that want to tone it down can add a couple of pinches of red pepper flakes and about a half teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper and salt. For those who like it toned way down, just one-half teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper and salt should be enough seasoning. Any combination of the above is also good, as most people know their seasoning tolerance.
What to serve with Southern Green Beans
Oh heavens. The possibilities are indeed endless.
- Fried chicken and mashed potatoes
- Oven-baked beef brisket and mac n cheese
- Honey ham and baked beans
- Smoked sausage and cheesy grits
- Barbecued ribs and corn on the cob
- Southern hoppin’ John
- Fried catfish and okra
- Pork tenderloin and macaroni salad
These amazing Southern Green Beans are easy, dependable, and delicious. What are you waiting for? They are a must-try. Put the ingredients on your shopping list today!
More Southern Recipe
Southern Green Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon diced
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 lbs fresh green beans trimmed
- 2 1/2 – 3-1/2 cups chicken broth
- Optional 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning please see notes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until almost completely browned. Add the onion and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Turn heat to low and add garlic; cook for 30 seconds. Remove the bacon/onion mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Reserve the bacon grease. Do not wash the saucepan.
- Add the green beans and enough chicken broth to cover the green beans. Add the Cajun seasoning.
- Bring to a low boil. Cover and reduce to simmer. Simmer for 1 – 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Drain chicken broth, return bacon/onion mixture, and heat for 1-2 minutes. Add butter, stir, and serve. If needed, season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Readers with a more sensitive palate that want to tone it down can add a couple of pinches of crushed red pepper and about a half teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper and salt. For those of you who really like it toned way down, just one-half teaspoon each of fresh cracked pepper and salt should be enough seasoning. Any combination of the above is good as well, as most people know their seasoning tolerance.
- Try adding a ham hock or smoked sausage to the simmering beans. Or chunks of red potatoes or new potatoes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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Heather
I made this recipe last night and it was delicious! I’m hoping to make it again and am always looking for an excuse to use my slow cooker… could I make it on that? Thanks!
Justin
Getting ready to make this today for thanksgiving, I use it every year very delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Justin! So glad that you like it!
Ellie
Could this recipe be adapted for a slow cooker ?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. Cook the bacon, onions, and garlic separately. Add half the bacon mixture, all the green beans, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning. Cook on high for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender. Use a slotted spoon to remove the beans, bacon, and onion. Top with reserved bacon mixture and butter. Make sure you store your reserved bacon mixture in the fridge while the crock pot is cooking the beans.
Emily
Hi Beth, did you mean 6-8 hours on low in the crockpot? Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Yes. I will have to check to see if I reversed them.
Beth Pierce
Maybe I better look. Is it in a comment?
Emily
I’m not sure! Mine have been cooking for 3 1/2 hours and look pretty tender already. So I’m guessing it’s supposed to be low 🙂👍🏻
lisa
I made this recipe and it’s delish! I added a little of the bacon grease and a dash of Tabasco. My extended family enjoyed it so much they decided I needed to make it for holiday get togethers.
Beth Pierce
That sounds like a great plan! Enjoy!!
Elena
Can you use the green beans that you cook in the bag for this recipe?
Beth Pierce
Yes you might need to reduce the cooking time a bit since I believe those are blanched already.
Anita
I tried this recipe about 5 months ago. I ate the whole pot myself of course not all at once. But probably could have if I tried. Great recipe will be cooking these green beans again. Didn’t add or subtract anything, thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Anita! So glad that you enjoyed them!!
Angela
After cooking the bacon & onion mixture, adding in the chicken broth & green beans do i put it on low heat or keep it at medium low heat? Also do I cook the green beans for 1hr to 1 1/2hr? Seems like while to cook green beans. I never made Southern Green beans before but your recipe looks delicious!! I want to this as a side long with your smother pork chop recipe!! Another recipe looks delicious!! Want to make sure I make your recipe correctly!!
Lupe
Bring to a slight boil and then cover and turn down to simmer, whichever setting that is for your stove. Yes cooking for 60 to 90 minutes helps give it the right texture and allows the flavors to fully penetrate the green beans. This truly is an amazing recipe. Its cooking at a low temperature for that amount of time with liquid in the pot. Trust me the time is definitely worth it.
SHARYN
This is a terrific recipe. great for potlucks, get-togethers Sunday dinners, or really anytime. I have been making this dish for over 50 years and I got this recipe from my mom. The only thing different we used potatoes.
Stan
I got a thick slice of smoky ham in the fridge. My gut says it would be ok instead of the bacon. …
from a Northerner who has finally freed himself from undercooked crispy green beans!
Beth Pierce
That would be great! Your gut instinct is correct.
CK
I’ve been using this recipe about once per week for quite a while now. I never get tired of green beans. I double the amount of bacon because it’s bacon. Lol.
Beth Pierce
We love this recipe too and I agree with you about the bacon!