This quintessential side dish is taken to new delicious levels with a Southern touch.
Southerners like their green beans super tender and loaded with amazing flavor. This recipe hits all the right notes. Fresh string beans slowly simmered in chicken broth (or vegetable broth) with herbs and a little bacon grease. The perfect side dish for your holiday ham, turkey, or any Sunday dinner!
How To Make Southern-Style Green Beans
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The Ingredients You Will Need
The components of this wonderful side dish are simple but fresh. Give yourself a couple of hours to get this on the table, and you and your family will be thrilled. Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand:
Bacon – Thick sliced, center cut is best.
Onion – Finely chopped.
Garlic – Minced.
Red pepper flakes – This will add a little heat. Increase the amount if you want your beans with a bit of a kick.
Green beans – Fresh is best. They will simmer until they become very tender. Snip the ends, and if desired, cut them in half on the diagonal.
Stock or broth – Either chicken stock or vegetable stock.
Seasonings – Salt and pepper.
Fresh herbs – Thyme and bay leaves. If using dried, go with 1 tsp of thyme (1 tbsp for fresh).
Butter – Unsalted.
EXPERT TIP: Your bacon will render grease, which is loaded with wonderful bacon flavor. However, you don’t want too much grease in your beans. You’ll want about 2 tablespoons, which means you’ll likely need to spoon out some of the grease. Save it for future cooking!
Tips for Making Perfect Southern-Style Green Beans
Fresh is Best – Be sure to examine the string beans closely in your produce section. Pick out any beans that are brown. Snip the ends and cut them in half. If you do go with canned beans, go with quality. But, we recommend fresh.
Build the Layers of Flavor – Don’t skip the herbs. They add a subtle depth of flavor that adds to the overall flavor of the beans. For even more smokey flavor, add smoked ham hocks while the beans are simmering. Stirring in the butter at the end is a must.
Don’t Rush the Beans – Give yourself time to allow the beans to become very tender. The beans can be simmered hours before serving. Simply reheat on the stove with a splash more of broth before serving. Southern beans are very soft. If you prefer less tender, then blanch the beans in boiling water for 3 minutes and then simmer them in the broth for 20 minutes.
Stir in the Bacon Just Before Serving – This will keep the crispy bacon texture. However, these beans are amazing the next day when reheated. The bacon will no longer be crispy, but it’s still delicious.
EXPERT TIP: Be sure to chop the onion uniformly, and not too chunky. Allow the onions to sauté in the bacon grease until they are very tender. Add in the garlic and allow it to sauté for only another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
How To Serve
As mentioned, these beans can be prepared in advance and then reheated.
If serving at the table, we reheat the beans in a large pot and then transfer them to a serving vessel. It’s easier to pass this way.
We recommend waiting to stir in the butter and the cooked bacon until just before serving. The butter makes the beans very silky and the bacon will stay crisp.
EXPERT TIP: You’ll want to add about 2 to 3 cups of the broth (or stock). The beans should be almost submerged. When you simmer the beans with the lid on the pot, the steam will cook them until they are very tender.
Other Classic Side Dish Recipes to Try
Every great meal includes top-notch side dishes. Here is a collection of our favorites that we are certain will become staples in your household.
- Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes
- Stewed Okra and Tomatoes
- Roasted Broccoli with a Kick
- Maple-Glazed Carrots
- Slow-Cooker Corn on the Cob
- Corn Casserole
- Creamy Cauliflower Gratin
- Baked Leek Gratin
- Oyster Casserole
- Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese
- Beet and Potato Salad with Dill Dressing
- Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon
- Brussels Sprouts Gratin
- Potatoes Dauphinoise (French au Gratin Potatoes)
- Fondant Potatoes (Melting Potatoes)
These are all amazing and any of them will take your next feast to the next level. But, in the meantime, are these green beans calling your name?
Simmered green beans have been around for ages. Most of us grew up on them.
The canned variety is just fine.
But, preparing them Southern-style takes them to another level. They are always a huge hit when we serve them and no doubt they will be a hit when you serve them, too.
Every bite is deeply flavorful, tender, and quintessential green beans!
Ready to make the best green beans this side of Atlanta? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of them, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Southern-Style Green Beans
Equipment
- 1 Large pot with lid the size you would boil pasta in
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon thick-cut, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion chopped, about 1 cup
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper more for extra heat
- 1½ lbs green beans fresh, trimmed and halved
- 2½ cups chicken broth plus extra, as needed
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 sprigs thyme fresh
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large pot (or Dutch oven) over medium heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels. Spoon out enough of the rendered bacon grease to leave about 2 tablespoons.4 slices bacon
- Add the onions to the pot and sauté in the bacon grease until soft and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for another 30 seconds.1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic, ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- Add the green beans, broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer the beans until they are very tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.1½ lbs green beans, 2½ cups chicken broth, 2 tsp Kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 3 sprigs thyme, 1 bay leaf
- Use tongs to remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf from the pot. Stir in the butter and cooked bacon. Serve at once.2 tbsp butter
