Southern Sides

Southern Green Beans

Name: Southern Green Beans
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed; 6 slices bacon, chopped; 1 onion, diced; 1 lb small potatoes, halved; 4 cups chicken broth; Salt and black pepper to taste

Green beans slow-simmered with potatoes and smoked bacon until meltingly tender.

Southern green beans simmered with potatoes and bacon in a ceramic bowl

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

Jump to Recipe

These are not crisp-tender green beans. They're simmered the old way until soft, savory, and full of smoky flavor.

New potatoes turn the side into something close to a meal on its own.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Smoky and savory
One pot
Holiday friendly
Uses pantry staples

Ingredients

2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 lb small potatoes, halved
4 cups chicken broth
Salt and black pepper to taste

Substitutions: Smoked turkey works in place of bacon.

How to Make It

1
Render
Cook the bacon until crisp, then soften the onion in the drippings.
2
Simmer
Add the beans, potatoes, and broth. Cover and simmer 40 minutes.
3
Season
Season to taste and serve with some of the broth.

Recipe Tips

Fresh beans hold their shape better than frozen.
Add the potatoes whole if small to keep them intact.

What to Serve With It

Smothered Pork Chops — Seared bone-in pork chops braised in a silky onion gravy until fork tender.
Buttermilk Cornbread — Skillet cornbread with crisp buttery edges and a tender, golden crumb.
Southern Fried Chicken — Buttermilk-brined chicken with a craggy, deeply seasoned crust that stays crisp long after it leaves the skillet.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Up to 4 days.
Freezing: Not recommended.
Reheating: Warm on the stovetop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned beans?

Yes — reduce the simmer to 15 minutes.

Recipe Card