If you're looking for an easy, slow-cooking side dish that goes with all things Southern, this is it! Southern Green Beans with Bacon paired with fried chicken, baked beans, and a side of either homemade biscuits or cornbread is the dinner hit you've been dreaming of. Get ready for your dinner guests to invite themselves back for leftovers!
This dish has so much flavor, especially considering its minimal ingredient list. Fresh green beans simmer away in a seasoned chicken broth, taking on the tastiness of salty, savory bacon. Even the pot liquor left behind is amazing, and it's pretty much guaranteed to have you slurping it up with a spoon. Add a can of fire-roasted tomatoes for an extra flavorful and colorful touch!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
Texture | These Southern green beans are made with fresh green beans, like another beloved Southern dish, green bean almondine. For the green beans to take on a maximum amount of Southern, savory flavor, they need to simmer. Fresh green beans are in season during the summer (the same time as okra) and retain their texture even when stewed, whereas canned green beans would turn to mush.
Flavor | In this recipe, green beans become fully infused with the porky goodness of bacon. We took a cue from collard greens on this one. We wanted a pot liquor so delicious you'd want to eat on its own. And if you choose to add the fire-roasted tomatoes, they'll add the perfect touch of acid and depth of flavor to the recipe.
Simple Ingredients | All you need are green beans, onion, bacon, broth, and some spices you've likely already got in the kitchen.
Southern green beans with tomatoes are extremely easy to make. The only hard part is waiting. But sometimes, the waiting makes a dish so very special.
Stewed Green Beans Ingredients
- Green Beans | For this recipe, opt for fresh green beans over canned ones. Fresh green beans ensure the texture stays intact and doesn't get mushy.
- Bacon | Thick-cut bacon packs a punch flavor-wise in this dish. When you taste that pot liquor, you'll understand.
- Onion | Yellow onion brings a slightly sweeter vibe to the flavors, but a white onion will work if that's what you've got!
- Chicken Broth | It is always best to use unsalted broths when cooking. This way, you have complete control over the amount of seasoning in your dish.
- Spices | Kosher salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes are all you need! For an added spice, you can also grab Cajun seasoning.
- Tomatoes (Optional) | Fire-roasted tomatoes for the win in this dish--if you go with tomatoes, that is. These tomatoes have greater depth of flavor than regular canned tomatoes, and they are absolutely perfect for stewed green beans.
How to Cook Southern Green Beans
Add Bacon | Over medium-high heat, add the bacon to a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Sauté | Sauté for about 3 minutes, then add the onion and continue to sauté. Stir often, for another 3-4 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
Add the Green Beans+ Tomatoes | Add the prepared green beans, along with the fire-roasted tomatoes, if using.
Add Remaining Ingredients | Stir in remaining ingredients and allow to come to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to maintain a slow simmer.
Simmer | Simmer for 50 minutes, lifting the lid to stir occasionally. Serve and enjoy!
Can I Use the Slow Cooker?
Yes. The slow cooker is the perfect vessel if you need to get an early start on your dinner. It's also a great way to keep the dish warm for company. Simply sauté onion and bacon as directed, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cover and cook your slow cooker green beans on low for 4-5 hours.
Serving Suggestions
You can include stewed green beans on so many dinner menus. We like to it serve with Southern mainstays like fried chicken breasts, smoked brisket, BBQ-baked chicken thighs.
This dish rounds out a perfect combo with something starchy like twice baked mashed potatoes, loaded potato salad, or buttermilk biscuits.
More Southern Sides You'll Love
Southern Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- ½ yellow onion, cut into thin slices
- 1 (12 ounce) package fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained (optional)
- 3 ½ cups unsalted chicken broth
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add the bacon to a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sauté for about 3 minutes, then add the onion and continue to sauté. Stir often, for another 3-4 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
- Add the prepared green beans, along with the fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Stir in remaining ingredients and allow to come to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to maintain a slow simmer. Simmer for 50 minutes, lifting the lid to stir occasionally. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Jillian says
This is it - my new favorite side dish! Delish!
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks, Jillian! Mine too 😉
Kristine says
Oh man, these beans look to-die-for! I'm a fan of all things Southern, pinning these to make! MMM!
Kelly Anthony says
Yay! Thanks, Kristine!
Pam Greer says
That is a staple dish around here, but I think most people use canned green beans. I can imagine that fresh green beans make it sooo much better!
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks, Pam! Couldn't agree more 😉
Britt | Sweet Tea and Thyme says
This brings back memories of snapping beans for my grandma and mama when I was a kid in Virginia and Georgia. We use hamhocks instead of bacon, but this looks delish!
Kelly Anthony says
Oh, I LOVE that! Those are the best kind of memories 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Jenni LeBaron says
These are so nostalgic for me. My mom used to make excellent stewed tomatoes and green beans. But your recipe is a total upgrade with all of that great smoky bacon. Love this!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you so much! That's such a sweet memory 🙂 Love it!
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
I love the green bean-bacon combo, but I never thought to add tomatoes! And the fire roasted tomatoes are my favorite! Can't wait to make this!
Sara says
I looked for years for a southern recipe for green beans. I never could nail it-- It's totally the fire roasted tomatoes. So yummy! Snapping green beans also make think of being young and doing it with my mom. Big paper bags full. I can remember doing it in the neighbor girls garage one day when it was raining and then playing spoons with the garage door open and the summer rain pounding. Good times!
Kelly Anthony says
That is the sweetest memory ever Sara! I absolutely love that! Thank you 🙂 XOXO
Pat says
Instead of canned tomatoes, could fresh tomatoes take the place along with the fresh green beans?
Kelly Anthony says
Sure! Especially in the summer when the tomatoes are so wonderful! Sub in 5-6 vine-ripened tomatoes (just be sure to deseed and cut them into large chunks and add them to the pot 🙂
Martha says
Can I use frozen green beans instead?
Kelly Anthony says
Frozen green beans will cook faster than fresh green beans, so you would likely need to cut back on the cooking time! I haven't tested the recipe with frozen veggies, so I'm sorry I can't provide more specifics!
Yvonne Wells says
Made these for Thanksgiving. Absolutely delish!!
Kelly Anthony says
Yay! Thank you, Yvonne!!! 🙂