Southern Green Beans Recipe

What sets traditional Southern-style green beans apart is their texture: tender and really chewy but not mushy, and they’re packed with flavor because they’re cooked with bacon, broth, and lots of herbs (bay leaves, thyme, garlic).

This is really the quintessential Southern green beans. I wanted to add some fresh herbs to add a little vibrancy to the final dish, but you can season it any way you like. This method is very versatile, you can add or swap in seasoned salt, garlic powder, or whatever you like.

Simmering green beans for an hour seems like a long time, but the result is a very tender, but not mushy, texture. They were definitely tender at the 45 minute mark, but not as tender as most people would like. If you like them tender but crunchy, stop simmering after 25 or 30 minutes.

Learn how to make Southern-style green beans and enjoy some nostalgic flavor at your next meal.

Southern Style Green Beans Ingredients

This Southern style green beans recipe is simple, but you can tweak it to suit your tastes. Here are the ingredients used in the recipe, as well as some ideas and ways to tweak it.

• Thickly cut bacon slices: This gives it plenty of smoky flavor that will flavor the soup. Use your favorite brand. We prefer thick cuts as they allow for plenty of meaty pieces in the final dish.
• Yellow onion: It creates a rich flavor base for the soup.
• garlic: It adds extra flavor, but you can omit it or substitute garlic powder if you prefer.
• Crushed red pepper: It’s not very spicy at all, just a slight peppery kick at the back of your throat with each bite, but you can leave it out if you prefer.
• Fresh kidney beans: You need to trim it off so there are no strings or tough pieces left in the final dish.
• Chicken soup: You can substitute vegetable broth if you like – water is fine too but broth will add more flavor.
• Kosher salt: To taste, use Lawry’s or other seasoning salt.
• Thyme sprigs: A little freshness really adds color to these rich beans, so feel free to omit them if you like. If you don’t have fresh herbs, feel free to use dried herbs too – sage or rosemary can be used in conjunction with or in place of thyme.
• Fresh bay leaf: It adds a herbal aroma to the final flavor, but if you don’t have any or don’t like it, feel free to omit it.
• Salted butter: Stir at the end to add flavor and richness.

How to Cook Southern Green Beans

The great thing about Southern green beans is that they’re easy to make, not to mention delicious. All you need is a Dutch oven and cook for about an hour, and you’ll have perfectly tender green beans. Here’s a quick rundown of the steps:

• step 1. Cook the bacon: Add the chopped bacon to a Dutch oven and cook until golden brown. Remove the bacon from the pan, but reserve the bacon fat.
• Step 2. Fry the onions: Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and sauté until soft. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and sauté until soft and fragrant.
• Step 3. Add beans and seasonings: Add the onion and garlic to the fresh beans, remaining seasonings and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 to 1 hour. If you prefer crisper beans, simmer for less time, around 25 to 30 minutes.
• Step 4. Finish by spreading butter on it. Add butter and stir in bacon. Cook until butter is melted. Remove Dutch oven from heat and remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs if using. Scoop with slotted spoon and serve immediately.

How to Store Southern-Style Green Beans

Leftover green beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing green beans is not recommended as they may become soft when thawed.

This recipe is also great to make ahead of time and simply reheat the whole thing on the stove when you’re ready to eat.

Tips for making the best Southern style green beans

When making these kidney beans, keep these tips in mind:

• Fresh is best: Use the freshest, crispest kidney beans for this recipe, so they will retain their texture and crunch in the finished dish. Darkened or soft beans may not have as good a flavor or texture after cooking.
• Make it your own: The secret to great Southern green beans is to keep it simple. We add some herbs to this dish, but ultimately consider them optional. Cook the bacon, onion, and garlic as we did. Add the beans and broth and simmer until tender. Season to taste.

What to Serve with Southern Green Beans

These green beans make a great side to any meat dish, but are also a staple at potlucks and summer picnics, and can be served with holiday classics like baked ham, turkey, and dressing.