Mastering Authentic Southern Green Beans with Bacon: A Timeless Recipe
Welcome to the heart of Southern cooking, where green beans aren’t just a side dish; they’re a celebration of flavor, comfort, and tradition. Forget crunchy, bright green beans – down here, we embrace a different philosophy. Our Southern-style green beans are cooked low and slow, allowing them to transform into incredibly tender, deeply flavorful morsels. The secret? A rich infusion of smoky bacon or ham, which adds an unparalleled depth that truly defines this beloved dish. Having shared countless Southern recipes online for a decade, I can assure you that this particular recipe is the real deal, straight from my granny’s kitchen to yours. It’s a taste of heritage, a culinary hug that warms the soul with every bite.
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Growing up, this was a staple at every Sunday dinner and an indispensable part of our holiday feasts. These tender, smoky green beans are an absolute dream paired with classics like my Southern Fried Chicken and Southern Cooked Cabbage. Together, they create a symphony of flavors that evoke memories of family gatherings and delicious, comforting meals.
Southern Green Beans Ingredients: The Foundation of Flavor
Creating truly authentic Southern green beans begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of savory, smoky flavor that makes this dish so irresistible.
- Green Beans: While canned green beans will work in a pinch, for that truly authentic Southern texture and vibrant, earthy flavor, I highly recommend using fresh or frozen green beans. Fresh beans offer a crispness that mellows beautifully with slow cooking, while frozen varieties maintain much of their natural goodness. If using fresh, a quick snap of the ends is all the prep they need. Avoid over-processed canned beans if you’re aiming for the best possible outcome.
- Bacon: This is where a significant part of that signature smoky flavor comes from. Thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy, renders a beautiful fat that forms the base for our aromatics. If you’re looking for alternatives, you can achieve similar smoky notes with turkey bacon, andouille sausage, smoked turkey, ham, or even a traditional ham hock. A ham hock will impart an even deeper, more profound smoky richness, perfect for a truly old-fashioned flavor.
- Onions: A generous amount of chopped white onion adds a sweet and aromatic foundation to the dish. As they caramelize slightly in the bacon fat, they release their sugars, complementing the savory notes perfectly.
- Broth: Chicken broth is essential for slow-cooking the green beans and allowing them to absorb incredible flavor. Opt for a good quality broth; low-sodium varieties give you more control over the final salt content. The broth is not just a cooking liquid; it’s a key seasoning component.
- Creole Seasoning: This is the secret weapon for an explosion of flavor! Paired with the smoky bacon, Creole seasoning elevates the green beans to an “out of this world” taste experience. It typically includes a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and a hint of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick. Feel free to use your favorite blend, or even make your own (see notes below for a homemade recipe).
- Salt and Pepper: Simple yet crucial. These universal seasonings tie all the flavors together. I recommend going light on the initial salt addition, as both the bacon and chicken broth contribute significant saltiness. You can always adjust to taste at the end.
How to Make Southern-Style Green Beans With Bacon: A Journey of Flavor
Crafting these tender, flavorful Southern green beans is a straightforward process, but it relies on patience and a few key steps to develop that signature taste. Here’s a detailed guide to walk you through it. For precise measurements and a condensed version, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Cook the Bacon: Begin by heating a Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bacon pieces and cook them for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are beautifully crispy and golden brown. This step is crucial as it renders the fat and creates flavorful bits at the bottom of the pot, which will contribute immensely to the overall taste.
- Drain Excess Fat: Carefully remove the crispy bacon from the pot with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Drain most of the rendered bacon fat from the pot, leaving approximately a teaspoon behind. This small amount of fat is essential for sautéing the aromatics and adding another layer of flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot with the reserved bacon fat. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly, until the onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can turn bitter. These aromatics will infuse the entire dish with a wonderful base flavor.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken broth. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits of bacon and onion that are stuck to the bottom of the pot. This process, known as deglazing, incorporates all those delicious caramelized flavors back into the liquid, adding incredible depth to your green beans.
- Add Green Beans and Seasoning: Introduce the fresh green beans to the pot. Stir in the Creole seasoning, along with salt and pepper to taste. Remember to be mindful of the salt, as the bacon and broth already contribute some. Stir everything well to ensure the beans are evenly coated with the seasonings and submerged in the broth.
- Simmer Low and Slow: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and allow the green beans to simmer for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours. The goal here is to achieve truly soft and tender green beans, not crunchy ones. Cooking time can vary depending on your stove and the type of pot you’re using. If it’s your first time, check on them periodically to ensure they reach your desired texture without becoming overly mushy. My Dutch oven typically gets them perfectly tender in about an hour.
- Adjust Seasoning: After the cooking time, taste the green beans and adjust the salt, pepper, or Creole seasoning as needed. The flavors will have melded beautifully, but a final tweak can make all the difference.
- Serve: Serve these delightful Southern green beans warm, using a slotted spoon to leave behind any excess liquid, allowing the concentrated flavor of the beans to shine.
Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon
By Brandi Crawford
Down here, we don’t do crunchy green beans. Southern-style green beans are cooked low and slow until they’re tender and full of flavor, usually with some smoky bacon or ham to give them that little something extra. I’ve been sharing Southern recipes online for a decade, and I can promise you this recipe is the truth because I make it just how my granny taught me.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 78 kcal
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Equipment
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Slotted Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 slices uncooked bacon, sliced into small pieces
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound fresh green beans, stems removed (See notes for canned or frozen.)
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste (I go light on the salt because the bacon and broth provide plenty of flavor for me.)
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat. Add the pieces of bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes until the bacon crisps.
- Drain the excess fat from the pot. I reserved about a teaspoon of fat in the pot.
- Add the onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth and deglaze the pot with a spatula. Scrape up all the bits of cooked bacon in the pot.
- Add in green beans, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir.
- Reduce heat to Low. Cover and cook for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours until the green beans are soft. If it’s your first time making the dish, check on the green beans often to be sure they reach your desired texture and you don’t overcook them. Cook time will vary greatly based on the type of pot you use. Using my Dutch Oven, the beans reach my desired texture after an hour.
- Taste repeatedly and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Serve with a slotted spoon.
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Notes
- Canned Green Beans: If you must use canned green beans, they typically require less cooking time. Cook them for about 20 minutes uncovered, or until they reach your desired tender texture. Remember to drain and rinse them thoroughly before adding to the pot to reduce sodium.
- Frozen Green Beans: Both whole or cut frozen green beans work well. They generally follow a similar cook time as fresh green beans, as noted in the recipe (1 to 1.5 hours), as they need time to thaw and absorb the flavors.
- Homemade Creole Seasoning: You can easily make your own Creole Seasoning blend at home. Combine ¼ teaspoon (each) of the following: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. This allows you to customize the spice level to your preference.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Southern Green Beans
Absolutely! Southern green beans are one of those magical dishes that taste even better the next day. The flavors truly deepen and meld together after sitting. Simply cook them as directed, let them cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to maintain their tender, juicy texture.
These green beans are cooked “low and slow” to achieve their signature tender texture. On low heat, they will typically cook for about 1 hour to 1 ½ hours. The exact time depends on your specific stovetop and pot, as well as your desired level of tenderness. The key is to cook them until they are soft and have fully absorbed the rich flavors, rather than still having a crisp bite.
For truly exceptional results, I highly recommend using a Dutch Oven. The heavy cast iron distributes heat incredibly evenly and retains it beautifully, which is perfect for slow simmering. This often reduces the overall cooking time by about 30 minutes compared to a standard stock pot or soup pot, while also preventing scorching. However, if a Dutch oven isn’t available, a large, heavy-bottomed pot will also work well.
It’s simple to adapt this recipe for a vegetarian diet! Just omit the bacon entirely. Instead of bacon fat, use a tablespoon or two of olive oil or butter to sauté your onions and garlic. To retain that essential smoky depth of flavor, incorporate a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a tiny drop of liquid smoke (start with a very small amount and add more cautiously to taste). Be sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Simmering them low and slow with these adjustments will still yield incredibly tender, seasoned green beans that taste wonderfully homemade.
While Southern green beans should be tender, they shouldn’t be a uniform mush. They should still hold their shape, albeit very softly. The best way to prevent them from becoming overly mushy is to check on them periodically as they cook. Every stove and pot behaves differently. Once they reach a very soft, fork-tender texture, go ahead and remove them from the heat. They will continue to soften slightly with residual heat.
Chicken broth is highly recommended as it adds a tremendous amount of savory flavor that penetrates the green beans during the slow cooking process. Don’t skimp on quality here; a good broth is crucial for seasoning the beans from the inside out. You can use homemade chicken broth for an even richer flavor, or a good store-bought brand. If making it vegetarian, use a flavorful vegetable broth.
Absolutely, adding potatoes is a classic Southern touch! Small red or Yukon gold potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces, cook beautifully right alongside the green beans. They absorb all that wonderful smoky, savory broth and become incredibly tender. Add them at the same time as the green beans to ensure they cook through.
Store any leftover Southern green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. As mentioned, the flavors tend to deepen overnight, making them an even more delicious treat the next day!
To reheat, the best method is to warm them gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to prevent them from drying out and to keep them wonderfully juicy and tender.
Yes, Southern green beans freeze well! Once cooked and cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for about 2 months. To enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat using the stovetop method described above, adding a little liquid if needed.
Perfect Pairings: Southern Soul Food Main Dishes
These soulful green beans are the ideal accompaniment to a wide range of hearty Southern main courses. Their savory, smoky profile complements rich meats and poultry beautifully, balancing out richer flavors with their comforting depth. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve alongside them:
- Cajun Roasted Turkey: The vibrant spices of a Cajun turkey find a perfect earthy counterpart in these tender green beans.
- Baked Turkey Wings: The rich, tender meat of baked turkey wings pairs wonderfully with the smoky green beans, creating a satisfying and classic meal.
- Baked Turkey Legs: Similar to wings, baked turkey legs offer succulent meat that’s beautifully complemented by the slow-cooked beans.
- Baked Ham With Pineapple: The sweet and savory notes of a glazed ham are perfectly balanced by the smoky, savory green beans.
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast: A convenient and moist main dish that sings when paired with these flavorful green beans.
- Air Fryer Cornish Hens: For a quicker, flavorful poultry option, Cornish hens pair exquisitely with the comforting beans.
- Turkey Chops Recipe: These lean and flavorful chops are an excellent choice for a complete Southern-inspired meal.
More Delicious Southern Side Dish Recipes
Round out your Southern feast with these other beloved side dishes that perfectly complement our tender green beans:
- Southern Style Soul Food Mac and Cheese: A creamy, cheesy classic that’s a must-have for any soul food spread.
- Chicken and Dressing: Flavorful and comforting, this dish is a staple at holiday tables.
- Southern Cornbread Muffins: Perfect for soaking up all the delicious pot liquor from the green beans.
- Roasted Okra: A simpler, crispy take on this classic Southern vegetable.
- Smothered Okra: A rich, stewed version of okra that’s packed with flavor.
- Southern Cornbread Casserole: A hearty and satisfying casserole with all the flavors of cornbread.
- Seafood Mac and Cheese: An elevated take on mac and cheese, perfect for special occasions.
Don’t stop there! Explore our extensive list of The Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes for even more culinary inspiration.
