Description
Southern Green Beans: Tender beans cooked low and slow with bacon & onions. A comforting crowd-pleaser perfect for any meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices (about 6 oz/170g) bacon, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion (about 1 cup/160g), diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Bacon Base In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, add the chopped bacon and place over medium heat. Cook the bacon slowly, stirring occasionally, until it renders its fat and becomes crisp, about 8-10 minutes. This patient approach ensures you extract maximum flavor from the bacon—the foundation of delicious Southern Green Beans. Once crispy, remove about 2 tablespoons of bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside for garnish, leaving the remaining bacon and all the rendered fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Build the Flavor Base Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic which would add bitterness. This aromatic base will infuse throughout your Southern Green Beans as they simmer.
- Step 3: Add Beans and Liquid Add the trimmed green beans to the pot, stirring to coat them in the bacon fat and aromatics. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the beans are mostly submerged (it’s okay if some stand above the liquid). Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Cover the pot partially with a lid, allowing some steam to escape.
- Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection Allow your Southern Green Beans to simmer gently for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice the beans gradually soften and take on a deeper color as they absorb the flavorful broth. The cooking liquid will reduce and intensify during this time. Taste a bean after an hour—it should be very tender but still maintain its shape. Continue cooking until you achieve that perfect southern-style tenderness.
- Step 5: Finish and Serve When the beans have reached your desired tenderness, stir in the apple cider vinegar. This brightens the flavor and balances the richness of the bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Transfer your Southern Green Beans to a serving dish, spooning some of the flavorful cooking liquid over them. Sprinkle with the reserved crispy bacon bits and serve warm, allowing everyone to enjoy the authentic taste of southern comfort.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg