Green Beans Southern Style

Indulge in the comforting flavors of the South with this Green Beans Southern Style recipe, a soul-warming side dish that's perfect for any family gathering or holiday feast. Featuring tender, slow-simmered fresh green beans infused with the smoky richness of crispy bacon, the savory depth of sautéed onions and garlic, and a subtle touch of sweetness from a hint of sugar, this dish is a true classic. Simmered to perfection in a flavorful chicken broth and finished with a touch of butter, this recipe brings out the best in simple ingredients. Whether served at a barbecue or alongside roasted meats, these Southern-style green beans, seasoned with a touch of black pepper and optional red pepper flakes for a slight kick, will surely steal the spotlight. Ready in just over an hour and serving six, it's a crowd-pleasing dish packed with down-home nostalgia and irresistibly bold flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh green beans
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 whole small onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Wash and trim the ends off the green beans. Set them aside.

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble the bacon and set it aside.

Step 3

Drain off most of the bacon grease from the pot, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pot.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the pot with the bacon grease and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the butter, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the green beans to the pot and stir to combine.

Step 8

Cover the pot with a lid and simmer the green beans for 35–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and infused with flavor.

Step 9

Remove the lid and sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the green beans. Stir gently to combine.

Step 10

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve warm as a side dish and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2033.7 grams (2033.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	838

Total Fat 42.80g	55%
Saturated Fat 20.70g	103%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.90g
Cholesterol 110mg	37%
Sodium 5447mg	237%
Total Carbohydrate 83.40g	30%
Dietary Fiber 32.60g	116%
Total Sugars 39.90g
Protein 47.40g	95%

Vitamin D 8IU	39%
Calcium 461mg	35%
Iron 13mg	71%
Potassium 3130mg	67%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.4%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 36.7%