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
- 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
Easy 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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Irena
Absolutely a great comfort food! Yummy 🙂
Melanie E
Green beans are my husband’s favorite. They go really well with bacon, garlic, and onions. I bet this version is quite tasty! It is a must try!
Angelica
Perfect timing seeing this- I have been in search of the perfect green bean recipe. This looks delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Angelica! Enjoy!
Tweenselmom
Healthy and yummy! These green beans were so tasty, cannot wait to make them again. Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie
This is almost exactly how my family makes them, but I never tried cajun seasoning in it! I don’t like bacon so don’t eat it, but my family loves it just like that.
Deanna
These sound like they would go perfect with the dinner I’m planning tonight! Might have to step out to the store and grab a few things
Beth Pierce
Thanks Deanna! Enjoy!!
JoAnn
Another great one, they were a bit hit.
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you liked them. My son loves them!!
sharon cohran
PERFECT… used Better Than Bouillon-Chicken for broth.. works every time .. thanks
Mike L
The beans came out perfect. I used Virginia ham and half a chili pepper. Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Thanks for tips Mike! Sounds delicious!
Mel
These were excellent! I def will be making this again. I used double the bacon, 1/2 the garlic and half the salt and red pepper instead of the Cajun seasoning. I think the ranch seasoning would be awesome as well. Try these—they would be great for the holidays.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Mel! So glad that you liked them!
Mike W
Make these for potluck dinners and everyone loves them. I use about half and half bacon and country ham, give it a try, but cut back on salt addition.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip Mike!
Cari
These were the best green beans I have ever made or eaten. Perini Ranch steak rub is my go to seasoning on pretty much everything (recipe readily available online) and I used that instead of Cajun. So, so good! My husband pronounced it covered dish worthy! 😆
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you liked them!
Rachel
These are so amazing. I wanted to note I added a ranch packet instead of Cajun seasoning because my granny was joining us and can’t have spice. It was a GAME CHANGER! But I love it the original recipe way as well. I make these about 2 times a week and big batches on holidays like today. Mmmmmmm
Beth Pierce
Thanks Rachel! I will keep that tip in mind and try it.
Shawn M
Can this be made ahead of time and warmed in oven? I was making it for Christmas and was wondering if I could make it tonight.
Beth Pierce
Opps! I missed this question. Yes they can be made in advance and yes you can use frozen green beans but you might want to cut down on the cooking time a bit. Just cook until they are super tender.
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!