Southern Style Green Beans {Grandma's Recipe!} Gonna Want Seconds (2024)

My Southern style green beans are meltingly tender, butter, and deliciously smoky! These are vegetables your whole family will ask for. I predict they’ll quickly become a favorite in your house and in your regular dinner rotation!

If you’re from the South, I can almost bet your grandma made green beans just like these. My grandma used to serve these on almost every Sunday supper, right after church. This recipe is pure Southern goodness that will take you back right back to your grandma’s kitchen!

If you love green beans you’ll love my sweet and smoky Arkansas green beans, roasted green beans, green bean casserole, and, or my super easy air fryer green beans!

What I Love About This Southern Style Green Beans

Is there anything more wonderful than a green thing that your kids don’t scoff at? Dinner~winner in my book!

Kids love these!
BACON
Easy to make
Slow-cook flavor without the slow cooker

Southern Green Beans Ingredients

Bacon: I use nitrite and nitrate-free bacon. It’s a little more expensive but I think it’s worth it for the health benefits.
Green Beans: This recipe is best made with fresh green beans. Trim them and cut in half or in thirds depending on the length of the beans.
Chicken Broth: I like to use low-sodium broth so I can control the salt in the overall dish.
Salt + Black Pepper: The perfect simple seasoning to finish off these beans!

Tips

Dry: After rinsing the beans, it’s VERY important to dry them! When you add the beans to the hot bacon grease, you risk reactions like this one if you have excess water. Avoid the danger by drying your beans with a clean kitchen towel! Please!!
Onion:Try this recipe with a bit of onion! Chop up 1/2 cup of yellow onion and sauté it in the bacon drippings for about 5 minutes, with the heat on medium-low, before adding the green beans.
Fresh is Best: Use fresh green beans! You know that I love using convenience foods when the time is right, but this is NOT one of those times. You need the structural integrity of fresh beans to stand up to the long cooking time. Frozen or canned beans would just disintegrate!

Tools You’ll Need

The tools to make this country style green beans recipe are very straightforward:

A colander, for draining your beans.
A clean kitchen towel.
A large pan.
A spoon.

Storing + Freezing +Make-Ahead

How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? These Southern style green beans with bacon will last in the fridge for 4 days.
Can You Freeze This? Yes! This makes a great freezer meal to have on hand when you need a quick, delicious side dish. Portion out your green beans and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. The lack of dairy or other more perishable ingredients gives these southern green beans a long shelf life.
- To thaw, simply pop your containers in the microwave and hit the “thaw” setting!
Make-Ahead Tips: Since these beans have to simmer for at least an hour, they come with make-ahead built right in! Just start these beans an hour before you need them, and they’ll be ready and waiting for you. Or you can always make them ahead of time and store them overnight! Just reheat and serve.
Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.

Serving Recommendations

I love serving these Southern style green beans with bacon grease with just about anything! But they’re awesome with more Southern classics.

Try my smothered chicken, crockpot pork chops smothered in mushroom onion gravy, chicken lazone, blackened chicken, jambalaya, or my baked mac and cheese.

My grandma always had biscuits on the table for every Sunday dinner! Try my super quick and easy Bisquick biscuits!

More Really Delicious Vegetable Recipe!

Broccoli Salad
Sautéed Asparagus
Roasted Broccoli
Simple Roasted Peppers
Roasted Garlic Asparagus With Feta
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Carrot Salad
Fajita Veggies
Fried Cabbage And Bacon
Southern Collard Greens

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Southern Style Green Beans

Southern Style Green Beans aren't just for Easter anymore! Make them go with a summer BBQ or a family get together --they're a veggie treat!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 3 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Author: Kathleen

Ingredients

▢ 4 slices bacon cut into small pieces
▢ 2 pounds fresh green beans ends trimmed and snaped in half
▢ 2 cups chicken broth
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Rinse beans in a colander, thenwrap up in a clean dish towel to dry.
Cook bacon pieces (4 slices) in a large saucepanuntil crisp. Add greenbeans (2 pounds) tothe pan and continue to cook on medium heat, tossing beans well to coat in bacon dripping, until beans turn bright green about 3 minutes. Slowly add the chicken broth (2cups), then the salt (1/2teaspoon) and pepper (1/2teaspoon), and bring to a simmer.
Simmer on low, covered with the lid cracked just a bit, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Adjust seasoning. Remove to serving platter with a slotted spoon. Top with a splash or so of the cooking liquid and serve.

Fans Also Made:

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Sausage Green Bean Potato Casserole
Southern Collard Greens Recipe
See Also
Gluten Free Cannoli Recipe + Dairy Free Filling Everything (but the) bagel deviled eggs recipe (quick and easy)Sourdough Pancakes Recipe Same Day Sourdough Bread Recipe
Three Bean Salad Recipe

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Notes

Dry:After rinsing the beans,it’s VERY important to dry them!When you add the beans to the hot bacon grease, you riskreactions like this oneif you have excess water. Avoid the danger by drying your beans with a clean kitchen towel!Please!!
Onion:Try this recipe with a bit of onion! Chop up 1/2 cup ofyellow onionand sauté it in the bacon drippings for about 5 minutes, with the heat on medium-low, before adding the green beans.
Fresh is Best:Use fresh green beans! You know that I love using convenience foods when the time is right, but this is NOT one of those times. You need the structural integrity of fresh beans to stand up to the long cooking time. Frozen or canned beans would just disintegrate!

Nutrition

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Bailey says
February 22, 2024 at 4:15 pm

Can I put potatoes in this too?
Reply
- Kathleen says
  February 23, 2024 at 10:38 am
  
  Hi, Bailey. I think that’ll do well. I also have sausage potato green bean casserole, here’s the link.
  Reply
Jerry Wilburn says
January 18, 2024 at 9:56 am

I’m in my 70’s and have cooked green beans this way since I learned how watching my mother when I was about 6 years old sitting on the counter while she cooked. She learned as a young girl from her mother as well. Bacon and onion have always been part of how they been cooked. I’ve also added mushrooms on occasion for a bit of a different taste. Not always, just occasionally. BTW, not that it matters, I’m a male person. Thanks Kathleen for putting your recipe out there. It’s definitely a good one to have. Simple and delicious.
Reply
- Kathleen says
  January 18, 2024 at 2:34 pm
  
  Jerry, I love to hear that this recipe is like you Mothers!!! That makes my day. I try to capture all of my Grandmas and other family members recipes here, so if you didn’t happen to get the written recipe from your family, you have a place to find it! Happy cooking my friend!
  Reply
Joe says
January 6, 2024 at 6:32 pm

Perfect! My Southern wife loves them. They take her back home. Served with pan seared pork tenderloin and roasted potatoes. A hit!!
Reply
- Kathleen says
  January 6, 2024 at 11:21 pm
  
  Wow, that’s super amazing, Joe! I’m so happy it was a hit and you paired it perfectly! 🙂
  Reply
Gary West says
August 9, 2023 at 7:42 am

You can also use beef flavored broth
See Also
Simple Rennet Cheese Recipe
Reply
- Kathleen says
  August 10, 2023 at 8:56 am
  
  Agreed! 🙂
  Reply
Valori Moore says
June 24, 2023 at 5:52 am

THANK YOU! My family will usually not eat green beans but there wasn’t one left! Followed recipe exactly. So easy and so good!
Reply
- Kathleen says
  June 24, 2023 at 11:12 am
  
  OMG, that’s so great! I’m glad they like this. Thanks for the review 🙂
  Reply
Barbara Williams says
February 28, 2023 at 5:41 pm

Thank you I give this one a 10
Reply
- Kathleen says
  February 28, 2023 at 7:15 pm
  
  So happy you enjoy these beans, Barbara! My Grandma would truly be proud!! <3
  Reply
Kim says
April 13, 2022 at 5:15 am

This is the only recipes I use for green beans! Absolutely love it!
Reply
- Kathleen says
  April 17, 2022 at 6:17 pm
  
  Yaaay! Thank you so much, Kim! 🙂
  Reply
Kathi says
February 22, 2022 at 1:32 pm

I have always made my green beans like this – but added 1 tablespoon of garlic powder to them. Yum!!!!!!! Only way to make them in CA too.
Reply
- Kathleen says
  February 23, 2022 at 8:09 am
  
  Hi, Kathi! Yes to garlic powder! Thank you 🙂
  Reply
Caitlin says
November 21, 2021 at 8:12 am

Can you remove the bacon after cooking and add it to the finished dish so it stays crisp? thx!!
Reply
- Kathleen says
  November 21, 2021 at 9:42 am
  
  Hi, Caitlin! Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you!
  Reply
Angie says
September 8, 2021 at 10:19 pm

This is a family favorite. I use whatever broth I have on hand or bullion cubes in a pinch. I also sauté diced onions in the bacon grease.
Reply
- Kathleen says
  September 9, 2021 at 6:09 am
  
  Hi, Angie! That’s perfect 🙂
  Thank you for your positive review!
  Reply
Shari says
August 17, 2021 at 8:16 pm

I bought fresh green beans for the first time and wasn’t sure how to make them. Your recipe took me right back to my folks house where my Mom made green beans just like these! Thank you so much for a recipe that is easy to follow and brings back sweet memories of many days gone by!
Reply
- Kathleen says
  August 17, 2021 at 10:16 pm
  
  Oh, Shari, you’ve made my day! I love when my recipes remind you of Mama’s cooking. I’ve got lots down-home recipes so I hope you find many more you like!!
  Reply
Kimberly A Wilson says
December 17, 2020 at 5:49 pm

I grew up on fresh green beans and my mom made the BEST! This is now my go to recipe every time I serve green beans. Absolutely LOVE it!
Reply
- Kathleen says
  December 17, 2020 at 8:13 pm
  
  I’m so happy to hear that, Kimberly! So glad you loved these green beans <3
  Reply

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Southern Style Green Beans {Grandma's Recipe!} Gonna Want Seconds (2024)

FAQs

What seasoning is best for green beans? ›

Spices and Herbs that Pair Perfectly with String Beans (These are Organic Too):

Garlic (minced, powder or granules)
Onion (minced, powder or granules)
Parsley as a finisher with some lemons squeezed on top.
Toasted sesame seeds.
Classic black malabar pepper and salt.
Basil.
Oregano.
Thyme.

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Feb 24, 2021

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Bump up the flavor with tomato paste

Remember your old friend tomato paste? It's great to add into beans. Throw in a dollop or two to the aromatics once they've cooked, and sauté in the hot fat for a minute or two, just to cook out the tinny flavor. Harissa paste also works nicely for this.

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Don't overcook them!

Nothing is worse than a mushy, overcooked green bean. Crisp and slightly tender beans is the goal. To achieve this, taste a bean or two during the cooking process. If it is too crispy for you, keep cooking, testing another green bean in a minute or two.

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Should I cut green beans before boiling? ›

Some green beans come with their stem ends already sliced off – they'll look like they have a flat, cut end. But if the stem ends are still on, snap them off before cooking. For a neater look, line up the ends of the green beans and slice them off on a bias. There's no need to trim the tender shoot on the other end.

What seasoning should I put in my beans? ›

In general, most beans go well with herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme. You usually can't go wrong with garlic and onions, either. Specific kinds of beans, like fava beans or mung beans, have other affinities with particular herbs and spices.

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Should I season beans before cooking? ›

Seasoning is the cardinal rule of cooking anything, including beans. About a tablespoon of kosher salt per pound of beans is a good place to start if you're cooking them in water — remember as they simmer, the bean broth will concentrate and get saltier.

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How can I spice up my beans? ›

You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper.