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.
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This is a dish that was commonly served for Sunday dinners growing up! It's also a part of the spread for every holiday. You'll love these with my Southern Fried Chicken and Southern Cooked Cabbage.
Southern Green Beans Ingredients
- Green Beans: Fresh or frozen green beans are always my first choice because they’ve got that crisp, earthy flavor that holds up beautifully when you cook them low and slow. I would skip canned if you want that real Southern texture and taste, but they will still work.
- Bacon: You can swap bacon for turkey bacon, andouille sausage, smoked turkey, ham, or a ham hock.
- Onions
- Broth
- Creole Seasoning: Here's where the flavor comes into play. Paired with bacon it's out of this world. You can swap it with any of your favorite spices.
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Southern-Style Green Beans With Bacon
Scroll to the recipe card below for full measurements and detailed instructions.
- Heat a Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat. Add pieces of bacon and cook until the bacon crisps.
- Drain the excess fat from the pot.
- Add onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and deglaze.
- Add in green beans, Creole seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Stir.
- Reduce heat to Low. Cover and cook.
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Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
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. Scrap 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 in 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.
Video
Notes
- Canned green beans can be cooked for 20 minutes uncovered, or until the green beans reach your desired texture.
- If using frozen green beans, whole or cut are fine. Frozen will follow a similar cook time as noted in the recipe.
- You can make your own Creole Seasoning with ¼ teaspoon (each) of the following: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
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 and Recipe Pro Tips
Yes! In fact, they taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to soak in. Just cook them as usual, let them cool, and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, warm them gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to keep them tender and juicy.
This dish will cook on low for an hour to an hour and a half. You want to cook them until tender.
I love to use a Dutch Oven. It will cook faster than a stock pot or soup pot, but you can also use those. I find the Dutch Oven usually saves me about 30 minutes.
Just skip the bacon and swap in olive oil or butter for richness. To keep that depth of flavor, add a little smoked paprika or even a drop of liquid smoke, it gives you that same smoky vibe without the meat. Simmer them low and slow with onion, garlic, and broth (use veggie broth), and you’ll still end up with tender, seasoned green beans that taste like home.
They should be tender, but not falling apart. Check on them as they cook, every stove and pot is different. If they start looking too soft, go ahead and pull them off the heat.
Chicken broth adds a lot of flavor. Don’t skimp, it’s what helps season the beans.
Yes! Potatoes are a classic add-in and cook beautifully right alongside the beans. They soak up all that smoky, savory flavor too.
Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. The good news is they taste even better the next day once all those flavors have had time to settle in.
To reheat, just warm them on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or water to keep them juicy.
If you want to freeze them, they’ll hold up for about 2 months, just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat them as noted above.
Pair This With These Southern Soul Food Main Dishes
Cajun Roasted Turkey
Baked Turkey Wings
Baked Turkey Legs
Baked Ham With Pineapple
Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Turkey Chops Recipe
More Side Dish Recipes
Southern Style Soul Food Mac and Cheese
Chicken and Dressing
Southern Cornbread Muffins
Roasted Okra
Smothered Okra
Southern Cornbread Casserole
Seafood Mac and Cheese
Check out list of The Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.
Ikea says
Easy to make and so good! My husband requests this dish often.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Sarah S says
Simple, but incredible. Will have you craving green beans
staysnatched says
Haha yes! So true.
Allison says
The only Southern green beans recipe that we need PERIOD. Love the flavors, texture, and that it’s not too salty. Don’t sleep on Brandi’s vegetable side recipes.
staysnatched says
haha! Thank you!
Diane says
I can't wait to try this. If I were to chose canned green beans, how many cans of beans would I need?
staysnatched says
1 pound is used in the recipe. You need to convert the pound to ounces.
Jill says
This year I decided to be an adult and make something for Thanksgiving. I made these because I knew they were good and easy. Everyone in my family enjoyed them. My mom said they taste like what her mom use to make 💗. I guess I will be bringing them every year now.
staysnatched says
haha a tradition now!
Phyleia Battle says
Made these vegetarian and they still had so much flavor! They were a hit with my family!
staysnatched says
I'm glad they were a hit!
Hanna says
Best green beans I’ve made!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad to hear it!
Kara says
I’ve always loved green beans and this recipe made me love them more!! The garlic and onion addition add really awesome flavor! Thank you for sharing this with us!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Lu says
Very good! Made as directed and added petite carrots and fresh basil! Would difinetly make again!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!
Erica K says
Come one come all to this absolutely scrumptious green bean recipe! I used my brand new Dutch oven to cook these green beans to perfection. This recipe gives perfectly blended just like grandma used to make them goodness with a savory twist. I didn’t have any bacon but that didn’t take away from the flavorful taste of these beans. This will be my go to green bean recipe in the future! Don’t sleep on this recipe.
staysnatched says
So good without bacon, too!