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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Emily
This is one of my favorite recipes! I never get tired of green beans! They’re so delicious, and I grow them in my garden every year.
Beth Pierce
I hear ya!
Kimmie
Your recipe for easy Southern-style green beans is a true gem! It’s clear you understand the importance of simple yet flavorful dishes, and these green beans are sure to become a staple in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Kimmie!
Rich W
Great recipe! This is the way my grandma always made them! Best way to eat green beans!
Ronnie J Wilkerson Sr
I love green bean fixed like this. My family comes from deep in the woods of Oklahoma. My Mom would fix beans this way all the time. I still do but more bacon and taters
Beth Pierce
I agree! This is my absolute favorite way to eat green beans!
Gloria
Delicious recipe! Made for a family get together and everyone loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Gloria! So glad that everyone loved the beans!
Lina Sch
My husband and I really enjoyed the recipe! I didn’t think the green beans would be cooked long enough but they were. I used vegetable broth and omitted the bacon for a vegetarian dish. Delicious! thank you
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Lina!
Laura S.
Glad I found your recipe. It was easy to make and tastes delicious. I cooked today to serve for Easter tomorrow.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Laura! Happy Easter!
Pat Epley
Gonna try these! I have loved all your recipes! So far, all have been a no fail for this older “still-learning-to-cook southern granny.” Your recipes are so tasty. Also going to make the cherry chocolate cake you recently posted. And all your hints and suggestions are so very helpful! Thank you. Glad I found you!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Pat! You made my day! I am so happy that you like my hints and suggestions. Cooking is so therapeutic. I really love to cook and it sounds like you do to!
Kiannie Dejesus
Hi! What would be the cooking time it made in a crock pot?
Beth Pierce
Sorry about the delayed response. Cook on low for 6 – 7 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Karen
I’m pretty sure bacon makes everything better. I’m always looking for ways to spice up the weeknight veggies. Thanks for this!
Morgan
I found this to make for thanksgiving and was wondering if I can make it tonight and if so will it be okay to leave some broth in or will it make the bacon too soggy? My family loves the broth from green beans but I didn’t want to ruin it sitting overnight
Beth Pierce
Sorry about the delay. I do not think I would add the bacon and onion until shortly before serving, but the green bean portion of the recipe could be made in advance.
Carrie Jaramillo
Can’t wait to try these! Yum! If I only have frozen green beans, how would the recipe instructions change?
Beth Pierce
A slightly shortened cooking time.
Abida
These green beans were really tasty. Can’t wait to make these again!
Marysa
We love green beans and this looks like a delicious dish! I will have to try your recipe. Sounds like such a flavorful combination of ingredients.
Beth Pierce
It is very flavorful. Enjoy!!
Rosey
Oh man, I can taste these through the screen. It’s been so long since I had good green beans like this… I almost forgot they were in existence!
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!!
Ntensibe Edgar
I really love these green beans! They are very tasty. Thank you for sharing their recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Oli
Such a great recipe. I love these Southern green beans. Sometimes I add cubed potatoes.