Description
A classic Southern-style green beans recipe featuring tender green beans slow-simmered with crispy bacon, onions, and flavorful seasonings for a comforting and savory side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Meat
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
Liquids & Seasonings
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Wash and trim the ends off the green beans to remove any stems. Dice the yellow onion and chop the bacon into small pieces to prepare for cooking.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon drippings in the pot.
- Sauté Onions: Add the diced onions into the bacon drippings in the same pot. Cook over medium heat until the onions become soft and golden brown, enhancing the dish’s savory flavors.
- Simmer Green Beans: Stir in the prepared green beans, chicken broth, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cover the pot and let the mixture simmer on low heat for 45 minutes, allowing the green beans to become tender and absorb the flavors.
- Finish and Serve: After simmering, add the cooked bacon back into the pot and gently stir in the butter if using. Let the green beans sit for a few minutes to meld the flavors before serving warm as a delightful Southern side dish.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar towards the end of cooking.
- If you prefer your green beans more tender, simmer a little longer, checking for desired softness.
- Butter is optional but adds a nice creamy finish to the dish.
- This recipe can be prepared a day ahead and reheated; the flavors will deepen over time.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
