These Southern-style green beans offer a comforting, slow-cooked flavor profile that defines home-style cooking. Unlike crisp steamed beans, these are simmered until tender, absorbing the savory essence of smoked bacon, onions, and bell peppers. The result is a dish with a dull, deep green color and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly paired with cornbread or biscuits, this recipe works beautifully as a substantial side for barbecue or potlucks. It’s a simple, reliable preparation that highlights the natural sweetness of the beans enhanced by smoky depth, making it a crowd-pleasing addition to any Southern-inspired meal.
Green Beans, Southern Style
Description
These Southern-style green beans offer a comforting, slow-cooked flavor profile that defines home-style cooking. Unlike crisp steamed beans, these are simmered until tender, absorbing the savory essence of smoked bacon, onions, and bell peppers. The result is a dish with a dull, deep green color and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly paired with cornbread or biscuits, this recipe works beautifully as a substantial side for barbecue or potlucks. It&# 226;ÂÂs a simple, reliable preparation that highlights the natural sweetness of the beans enhanced by smoky depth, making it a crowd-pleasing addition to any Southern-inspired meal.Ingredients
Directions
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Trim the ends of the green beans. If the beans are very small and tender, leave them whole. Otherwise, cut them in half lengthwise and then into bite-sized lengths.
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Chop one large white onion and one green bell pepper.
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Place the prepared green beans, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, and sliced smoked bacon into a large stewing pot.
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Cover the ingredients completely with water.
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Cover the pot and cook on low heat until the beans are very tender, approximately 2 to 3 hours.
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About 30 minutes before serving, add the small new potatoes if using.
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Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
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Serve the beans with a generous portion of the cooking liquid and the potatoes, if used.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 70.4kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 0.5g1%
- Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 13.6mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 15.9g6%
- Dietary Fiber 6.1g25%
- Sugars 7.5g
- Protein 4.1g9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Do not worry about overcooking the beans; they are traditionally cooked until very tender and a dull green color, rather than crisp.
This dish can be served as an accompaniment to any Southern-style meal, or served with cornbread or biscuits on the side as a meal itself.
Salt carefully, as the smoked bacon will contribute significant saltiness to the dish.