These Southern Style Green Beans are packed with flavor! Cooked until tender with bits of bacon and a touch of onion, they warm your heart and your belly.
Honestly, these green beans make veggies feel like a treat. I like to serve them at family dinners, and they always disappear fast. Who knew greens could be so good? 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Green Beans: Fresh green beans are ideal for this recipe as they provide the best crunch and color. However, you can use frozen green beans if fresh ones aren’t available. Just make sure to adjust cooking time slightly.
Bacon: Bacon adds a rich, smoky flavor. If you’re looking for a lighter option, turkey bacon works well. For a vegetarian twist, try using olive oil and smoked paprika to replicate that earthy taste.
Onion and Garlic: Sweet onions, like Vidalia or yellow onions, are tasty here. You could skip the onion to simplify, or replace with shallots for a milder flavor. Fresh garlic is preferred, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch—about 1/4 tsp should do.
Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds depth to the dish, but you could substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, or use homemade broth for extra flavor. If you’d like, water with some seasoning can work too!
How Do I Get the Green Beans Just Right?
Cooking green beans perfectly is all about timing. Start by blanching them in boiling salted water. This keeps them vibrant and crisp. Once that’s done, the next key step is to sauté them well with the bacon and aromatics.
- Blanch the beans for about 5 minutes until they’re bright green and tender, but still crisp.
- Cooking them in bacon fat adds unbeatable flavor. Just be sure to keep an eye on them while simmering so they don’t overcook!
- Let them simmer in the chicken broth and butter for 10-15 minutes. This step allows the beans to soak up the yummy flavors.
How to Make Southern Style Green Beans?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Southern Style Green Beans recipe takes about 20 minutes of prep and cooking time. It’s quick to prepare, and the best part is, it’s a great side dish that always impresses at your table!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Blanch the Green Beans:
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it’s boiling, add the trimmed green beans and cook them for about 5 minutes until they’re just tender but still crisp. After cooking, drain the beans and set them aside.
2. Cook the Bacon:
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, add the chopped bacon. Cook it over medium heat until the bacon is crispy. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s done, remove the bacon pieces from the skillet and set them aside, keeping the delicious bacon fat in the skillet.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
Add the diced onion to the bacon fat in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. This will make your kitchen smell amazing!
4. Combine and Simmer:
Now, return the crispy bacon to the skillet with the onion and garlic. Add the drained green beans, then pour in the chicken broth and add the butter. Give everything a good stir to combine all those tasty flavors.
5. Finish Cooking:
Cover the pot and let it simmer over low heat for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the green beans to soak up all the flavors from the broth and bacon.
6. Season and Serve:
Before serving, taste the beans and season with salt and black pepper according to your preference. Serve them warm as a classic and comforting Southern side dish. Enjoy!
Can I Use Canned Green Beans Instead?
Yes, you can use canned green beans for this recipe! Just be sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the skillet. Reduce the cooking time since they’re already cooked—just warm them through for about 5-7 minutes.
Can I Make This Dish Vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You can enhance the flavor by adding smoked paprika or a bit of liquid smoke for that savory taste.
How Can I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, just warm them on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. They make a great side dish for your next meal!
What Other Ingredients Can I Add?
Feel free to customize! You can add diced tomatoes for extra flavor, sliced almonds for crunch, or even a splash of vinegar for some tang. Just be mindful not to overpower the dish with too many flavors.
Southern Style Green Beans
Tender Southern-style green beans simmered with smoky bacon, onion, garlic, and a little chicken broth for a cozy, classic side dish that goes with just about anything.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for about 5 minutes, until they are bright green and just tender but still crisp. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the finely diced onion to the bacon fat and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until the onion softens and turns translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant—avoid letting it brown.
- Return the crispy bacon to the skillet. Add the blanched green beans, then pour in the chicken broth and add the butter. Stir everything together so the beans are coated and the flavors are combined.
- Cover the pan and let the green beans simmer over low heat for 10–15 minutes, or until they reach your preferred tenderness and have absorbed some of the broth.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve the green beans warm, with some of the bacon and cooking liquid spooned over the top.
Notes
You can use canned green beans instead of fresh—just drain and rinse them first, and reduce the simmering time to about 5–7 minutes since they’re already cooked.
For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and use vegetable broth. Add a pinch of smoked paprika to bring in that savory, “smoky” flavor.
Leftover green beans keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.