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Southern-Style Green Beans Recipe

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These Southern green beans are tender, savory, and infused with smoky bacon flavor—just like Grandma used to make. Perfect for Sunday dinners, BBQs, or holiday meals.

⏱ Prep Time

  • Prep: 10 minutes

  • Cook: 45–60 minutes

  • Total: ~1 hour

Servings: 4–6

🍳 Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven

  • Knife & cutting board

  • Wooden spoon

🥘 Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed

  • 4–6 slices bacon, chopped

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 cups chicken broth (or water)

  • 1 tsp sugar (optional, Southern-style touch)

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

  • 1 tbsp butter (optional, for richness)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon
    In a large pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and leave the fat in the pot.

  2. Sauté onion & garlic
    Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

  3. Add green beans & broth
    Add green beans and chicken broth. Stir well.

  4. Season
    Add sugar, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes.

  5. Simmer low & slow
    Cover and simmer on low heat for 45–60 minutes, until beans are very tender and flavorful (Southern beans are NOT crunchy).

  6. Finish
    Stir in butter and crispy bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with fried chicken, cornbread, mashed potatoes, or BBQ ribs

  • Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Sunday dinners

🧾 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

  • Calories: 150

  • Protein: 4g

  • Fat: 12g

  • Carbs: 7g

  • Fiber: 3g

💡 Tips & Variations

  • No bacon? Use smoked turkey legs or ham hock

  • Spicy version: Add jalapeños or extra red pepper flakes

  • Slow cooker: Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours

  • Instant Pot: Pressure cook 10 minutes, quick release

  • Keto version: Skip sugar

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