These Southern Style Green Beans are simmered on the stove until they are tender and full of delicious flavor. This is simple classic recipe made with onion, bacon and a few seasonings. You can’t go wrong with this recipe for the best green beans ever!
Green Beans are a staple at my house, I bet we eat them three to four times a week. They are easy to make and there are so many ways to make them they are just almost a no brainer for me. We love green beans recipes like these Green Beans with Roasted Red Peppers. I also like making them because they go with just about everything. From a pasta dish like Monterey Chicken Spaghetti to chicken thighs like these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs or this easy Lemon Pepper version.
How to Make Southern Style Green Beans: (full printable recipe card at the bottom of the page)
Ingredients:
- green beans (fresh or frozen)
- bacon
- onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- chicken broth
- salt and pepper
Special Equipment:
- large heavy pot
- colander
- sharp knife and cutting board
Instructions:
Step One: In a large dutch cook the chopped bacon until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
Step Two: Add the diced onion to the bacon drippings in the bottom of the pan and cook until tender or about 5-6 minutes.
Step Three: Add the green beans to the onions and season with salt and pepper.
Step Four: Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce stir to combine.
Step Five: Add back in half the cooked bacon and stir.
Step Six: Bring the contents of the pot to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-minutes to an hour stirring occasionally. How long the green beans need to cook depends on how tender you’d like the green beans to be when done.
How to Trim Green Beans:
If you are cooking with fresh beans you will need to prep them before putting them on the stovetop. This can be done is two easy steps.
- Using a colander throughly rinse the green beans under cold water. Let the beans drain or pat them dry with a paper towel. If using frozen thaw completely first.
- Line up a handful of green beans on a cutting board and with a paring knife or chef’s knife cut away the stems. The stems of the green beans are not edible. You can leave the tapered end I prefer to cut them off but that is a matter of personal choice.
3. Follow the recipe as written beginning at step one.
My Notes and Tips:
- Adjust the total cooking time to your preferences. If you like your green beans a bit firm thirty minutes will be ideal. If you prefer them really tender then you may want to cook them closer to an hour. I recommend checking the beans at 30 minutes and then every 15 minutes after until your desired consistency.
- Salt lightly at first then taste and season as you cook. With the chicken broth and bacon there is some saltiness so I recommend using a light hand when salting the green beans before cooking then adding salt if necessary while cooking.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Keep this recipe vegetarian friendly by swapping the chicken broth of vegetable broth.
- Add a little sweetness to the green beans by adding two teaspoons of sugar to the recipe.
- Make it spicy by adding some crushed red pepper flakes, a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning or a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce.
- Finish the recipe with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to add brightness to the recipe.
Storage:
Refrigerator: Store in an air tight container for up to three days.
Reheating: To reheat place beans and remaining broth in microwave in one minute increments stirring between each until warmed through.
Freezer: Cool green beans completely then place in a freezer safe container or freezer zip top bag and freeze for up to three months.
Thawing and Reheating: Thaw the green beans overnight in the fridge or simply spoon out desired serving size and reheat in the microwave until warmed through and ready to eat.
Happy Cooking Y’all!
Susanne
What can I serve with Southern Style Green Beans?
Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes Sheet Pan
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Southern Style Green Beans
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 2 cups yellow onion diced
- 2 pounds fresh green beans rinsed and trimmed (or frozen thawed)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
In a large dutch cook the chopped bacon until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
-
Add the diced onion to the bacon drippings in the bottom of the pan and cook until tender or about 5-6 minutes.
-
Add the green beans to the onions and season with salt and pepper.
-
Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce stir to combine.
-
Bring the contents of the pot to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes stirring occasionally. How long the green beans need to cook depends on how tender you’d like the green beans to be when done.
Recipe Notes
- If you like your green beans a bit firm thirty minutes will be ideal. If you prefer them really tender cook them closer to an hour. Check the beans at 30 minutes and then every 15 min to reach your desired consistency
- Salt lightly at first then taste and season as you cook.
- Nutritional information is estimated. Amounts will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes.
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