Rich comfort flavor of garlic, bacon, and onion surrounds this slow-cooked fall-apart-in-your-mouth Southern Green Beans. This delicious side is not only comforting in taste but a classic side to any southern meal.
If you’re making an entire meal then don’t forget to pair these beans with some creamed corn.
Southern Green Beans
As a child growing up in the south, this version of slow-cooked green beans was the only one I knew. Whether they were prepared using the long and slim french cut green beans or the thin flat Italian type, they were always delicious. Southern green beans take time, but the rich flavorful taste that comes from simmering in a seasoned broth is well worth it.
Slow-Cooker Green Beans
My schedule doesn’t often allow for me to stay home and be near a stove for hours at a time, and for these days I’ll use this slow-cooker southern green beans version of the recipe. This slow-cooker option uses the exact same ingredients, with only a few alterations.
- Lightly coat your slow cooker with oil or cooking spray. Place the onion, garlic cloves (leave them whole), beans, broth, paprika, cayenne pepper, and bacon grease in a slow cooker. Cut up 2 pieces of the bacon and add to the mixture. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the beans are tender and almost falling apart.
- Cook the remaining bacon in a skillet and sprinkle on top of the green beans before serving.
Where to Get Bacon Grease
Bacon grease, and cooking with it, is another southern staple usually kept in the refrigerator. Simply cook up some bacon and instead of pouring the grease out, pour it into a heat-safe container and store it in your fridge.
What to Serve with this Recipe
Southern Green Beans
Ingredients
- 5 slices Bacon
- 1 medium Onion
- 3 Garlic Cloves minced
- 2 lbs Fresh Green Beans French or Italian cut
- 3 – 4 cups Broth
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Bacon Grease butter will also work
Instructions
- In a large heavy pot, such as a dutch oven, cook the bacon, remove and crumble, and set aside. Add the onion to the same pot and cook in the bacon drippings for 1 to 2 minutes, or until onions begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook an addition 1 minute, tossing occasionally. Using a slotted spoon remove the garlic and onions and set aside in a bowl.
- Place the green beans and just enough broth to cover the beans into the same pot (don't clean the pot). Season with paprika and cayenne pepper, cover, and cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours until the green beans are tender.
- Drain the broth from the pot and return the crumbled bacon and onion mixture to the green beans, as well as the bacon grease or butter. Gently toss to mix.
