Southern Soul Food Green Beans with Bacon
When folks are looking for real-deal Southern green beans, this is the recipe they come back to. These Southern-style green beans remind me of family gatherings where a big pot would simmer low and slow all afternoon. I grew up eating green beans just like this—cooked down with smoky meat, full of flavor, and made with love passed down from generation to generation.
Servings 5 servings
Calories 78kcal
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
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g