Southern Green Beans
These Southern Green Beans are the ultimate sidekick, slow-cooked all day with bacon, butter, onions, and garlic. They're a perfect pairing for any dish and a must-have for holiday feasts or BBQ gatherings.
Servings: 6 servings (1 cup per serving)
Ingredients
- 3-4 14.5 oz cans cut green beans undrained
- 3 cups beef or chicken broth (I like beef broth for more flavor)
- 4 slices bacon diced if desired
- 1/2-1 medium yellow onion diced or sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ghee or butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place a large pot over low heat. Add the butter, garlic, and onions. Cook until fragrant, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Next, add the bacon and allow it to cook for a few minutes until browned. You can do diced or whole bacon here.
- Transfer the cans of green beans, undrained, along with the beef or chicken broth and seasoning to the onion mixture.
- Cook uncovered for 6-7 hours on low heat. Be sure to check on the green beans periodically. As they cook, they may start to run low on liquid, add more broth or water as needed. I like the tops of the green beans to get slightly crispy on the top.
- Once the beans are done cooking, remove the bacon if you left it whole, chop it into smaller pieces if desired, and then add it back to the green beans.
- Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.
Notes
- You can swap in French-style green beans if you prefer a different texture.
- For the liquid, use chicken broth, beef broth, or even water. I highly recommend beef broth. It gives the beans a rich, savory flavor that really sets them apart.
- As the beans cook, check on them occasionally to make sure there’s enough liquid in the pot. You’ll want the beans to stay just slightly covered at all times.
- You can also make this recipe in the crockpot on low for about 6 hours. They’ll still be tasty, but I’ll be honest—the stovetop version has that deeper, old-fashioned flavor that just can’t be beat.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- And here’s my Southern secret: canned green beans really are the best for this recipe. You can use fresh, but they just won’t get that same tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture or flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 594mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g