Easy Southern Green Beans Recipe

Now, these easy Southern Green Beans combine fresh green beans, smoked bacon, and onion into the most perfect side dish imaginable.

Course vegetable

Cuisine Southern

Keyword green beans, side, slow cooked southern beans, southern green beans, southern side, southern style green beans, vegetable

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 30

Servings

Calories 99kcal

Author Small Town Woman

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.

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.