Green Beans the Old Fashioned Way

Bring back the timeless, comforting flavors of home cooking with "Green Beans the Old Fashioned Way." This hearty side dish combines tender, slow-simmered fresh green beans with smoky bacon, caramelized onions, and a hint of garlic, all infused with the richness of chicken broth. A pat of butter adds a silky finish, while a touch of salt and pepper rounds out the flavors perfectly. The bacon drippings create a nostalgic, savory base that transforms simple ingredients into a crave-worthy dish. Ready in just under an hour, this recipe is perfect for holidays, family dinners, or anytime you want a taste of classic Southern-inspired cooking. Pair it with roasted meats or serve it alongside cornbread for a soul-satisfying meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds fresh green beans
• 4 strips bacon
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and trim the green beans by snapping off the ends. Cut them into 2-inch pieces, if desired.

Step 2

Chop the bacon into small pieces. Peel and finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until it renders its fat and becomes crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set them aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the chopped onion to the bacon drippings in the pan and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 6

Add the trimmed green beans to the pan and toss to coat them in the bacon drippings and onions.

Step 7

Pour in the chicken broth, add the butter, salt, and black pepper, and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 8

Cover the pan with a lid and let the green beans simmer over low heat for 30-35 minutes, or until they are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 9

Once cooked, stir the reserved bacon pieces back into the green beans. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot as a comforting side dish for your favorite meals.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1326 grams (1326.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	552

Total Fat 24.20g	31%
Saturated Fat 11.00g	55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.30g
Cholesterol 65mg	22%
Sodium 2946mg	128%
Total Carbohydrate 63.10g	23%
Dietary Fiber 25.30g	90%
Total Sugars 28.40g
Protein 31.40g	63%

Vitamin D 7IU	37%
Calcium 333mg	26%
Iron 9mg	49%
Potassium 2199mg	47%

*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: 36.6%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 42.4%