Southern Green Beans (Everyone Will Love)

Name: Southern Green Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh green beans ((trimmed and snapped into 2-inch lengths)); 6 slices bacon ((cut into ½-inch pieces)); 2 cups chicken stock; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of tender, flavorful Southern green beans that’ll knock your socks off!

I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it always brings back memories of my Grandmother’s kitchen.

These aren’t your regular green beans….They’re slow-cooked with bacon and love until they’re melt-in-your-mouth perfect.

Trust me, once you try this southern-style side, you’ll never go back to plain steamed beans again. This recipe is pure comfort food gold!

Why You’ll Love This Green Beans Recipe?

These beans are so tender that they practically fall apart on your fork.
The smoky bacon flavor makes every single bite absolutely mind-blowing and delicious.
You can set it and forget it while the beans cook themselves.
This recipe feeds a crowd and always gets rave reviews from everyone.
The rich, savory broth makes these beans pure southern comfort food perfection.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Fresh green beans: I always trim mine carefully because you want the perfect texture and taste every time.
Bacon slices: This makes the smoky, rich foundation that makes your beans absolutely irresistible.
Chicken stock: I use this to keep your beans moist and flavorful throughout the entire cooking process.
Garlic powder: A pinch adds that perfect aromatic touch that beautifully brings everything together.
Salt and pepper: These basic seasonings help you balance all the flavors and make everything taste just right.

How to Make Southern Green Beans?

This recipe is all about slow cooking until your beans reach that perfect tender, flavorful southern-style perfection you’re craving.

Step 1: Cook the bacon pieces in your big pot on medium heat for 8-10 minutes until they get crispy and brown.

Step 2: Remove the bacon and drain it on paper towels. Keep about two tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot for taste.

Step 3: Add green beans to the bacon fat and cook them for 4-5 minutes until they turn bright green.

Step 4: Pour chicken stock over the beans with care. Then add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to make them taste good.

Step 5: Add the cooked bacon back to the pot with the beans. Mix everything together so the flavors combine well.

Step 6: Turn the heat to low. Cover with a lid, a bit off to the side. Cook for 60 minutes and stir every 15 minutes.

Step 7: Taste and adjust the flavor if needed. Then serve right away while they are still at their best.

Tips for the Best Southern Green Beans

Here are my tried-and-true secrets that’ll help you make the most incredible southern green beans every single time.

I always cook my bacon until it’s perfectly crispy because that adds the best texture and flavor.
Don’t rush the cooking process – low and slow is the key to getting those tender beans.
Taste your beans halfway through cooking and adjust the seasonings to match your personal preferences perfectly.
Save some bacon fat in the pot because it adds incredible richness to your final dish.
Let the beans rest for 5 minutes after cooking so all those amazing flavors can really settle.

Variations and Substitutions

You can easily customize this recipe to match your family’s tastes and any dietary needs you might have right now.

Use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon if you’re looking for a slightly lighter, healthier option.
Add chopped onions with the bacon for extra sweetness and depth of flavor throughout the dish.
Add diced tomatoes during the last 15 minutes for a fresh, tangy twist on this classic.
Swap vegetable broth for chicken stock to make this recipe completely vegetarian-friendly and still absolutely delicious.
Toss in some red pepper flakes if you want to add a little heat and spice.
Try smoked ham hock instead of bacon for a richer, more traditional southern flavor profile.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Prep your ingredients the night before and store them covered in your refrigerator.
Cook completely and refrigerate for up to 4 days in sealed containers for easy meals.
Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth to restore perfect texture.
Freeze portions for up to 3 months, though the texture may change slightly after thawing completely.
Store leftovers in glass containers to maintain the best flavor and prevent any unwanted odors.

What to Serve with Southern Green Beans?

These beans pair beautifully with classic southern dishes that’ll make your dinner table feel like pure southern hospitality heaven.

Fried Chicken: The crispy coating and juicy meat perfectly contrast with these tender, savory beans every time.
BBQ Ribs: I love how the smoky, sweet barbecue flavors complement the bacon-rich beans for the ultimate southern feast.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: The creamy potatoes balance out the beans’ bold flavors and create pure comfort food magic.
Loaded Baked Potato Casserole: This hearty side dish makes dinner feel extra special and satisfying for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Frozen beans work great, but they reduce cooking time to 30-40 minutes. Canned beans need only 15-20 minutes—drain and rinse them first. Fresh is best for that true Southern texture, but both alternatives work perfectly!

You can use vegetable broth, beef broth, or even water with extra seasonings to get similar delicious results.

They should be very tender when pierced with a fork and have a rich, flavorful broth surrounding them perfectly.

Absolutely! Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until beans reach your desired tenderness level.