Southern Green Beans are the epitome of comfort food that takes an ordinary vegetable and transforms it into something extraordinary. These aren’t your crisp, barely-cooked green beans—these are tender, flavorful beans that have slowly simmered with smoky bacon, onions, and a touch of garlic until they become infused with all that Southern goodness.
Growing up in the South, these green beans were a staple at Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings. The secret is in the slow cooking process that allows the beans to absorb all the savory flavors while becoming perfectly tender. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and rich, homestyle flavor that will make even vegetable skeptics come back for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This
- Simple ingredients that create complex flavors
- Set-it-and-forget-it cooking method perfect for busy days
- Makes green beans actually exciting and craveable
- Great make-ahead side dish that tastes even better the next day
- Versatile enough for weeknight dinners but special enough for holiday tables
Ingredients
- 8-10 cups water, or as needed
- 6 meaty smoked turkey necks or smoked ham hocks
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
- 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
- Seasoning salt, to taste
- 1 lb small to medium red potatoes, quartered
- 2 lbs string beans, stemmed and halved crosswise
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large stockpot over high heat, combine the water and turkey necks and bring to a rolling boil. Turn the heat to a low boil, cover and cook for 2 hours.
- After the 2 hours, add more water if needed just to cover the necks, then add the onion, garlic and bouillon powder and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and add seasoning salt if needed. The liquid should taste like an excellent, slightly salty broth.
- Add the potatoes and string beans, re-cover, and continue cooking at a low boil until the potatoes are quite tender and the beans are soft, about 45 minutes.
- Add the pepper and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Take off heat but leave covered.
- Pull the turkey necks from the broth and set them aside just until they are cool enough to handle. Pull the meat from the necks, discarding the skin and bones, and add the meat back to the broth. If you are using ham hocks, you can simply break them up with a cooking spoon in the pot, or remove them, pull the meat, and add it back into the broth, discard the bones and skin.
- Serve the beans and potatoes in bowls along with some of the broth and meat.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Add a ham hock or smoked turkey wing instead of bacon for an even deeper flavor.
- For extra tang, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- If you prefer more texture, reduce the cooking time to 20-25 minutes.
- Fresh green beans work best, but frozen can be substituted in a pinch (reduce cooking time by 10 minutes).
- For a complete one-pot meal, add chunks of red potatoes during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
These Southern Green Beans pair perfectly with classic comfort foods like fried chicken, meatloaf, or country-fried steak. The savory broth that develops (often called “pot likker” in the South) is wonderful sopped up with a piece of cornbread.
For a complete Southern-inspired meal, serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or buttery corn on the cob. A splash of hot sauce or dash of apple cider vinegar at the table allows everyone to customize their serving.
Notes
- Beans will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and actually improve in flavor overnight.
- You’ll know the beans are done when they’re tender but still hold their shape.
- If the liquid reduces too quickly during cooking, add a splash more broth or water.
- These freeze beautifully for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
FAQs
Can I use canned green beans for this recipe?
While fresh is preferred, you can use canned green beans in a pinch. Drain and rinse them first, then reduce the cooking time to about 15 minutes since they’re already soft.
How do I know when my Southern Green Beans are done?
Southern-style green beans should be quite tender but not mushy. They should easily yield when pierced with a fork but still maintain their shape.
Can I make these in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Cook the bacon and onions as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
Are Southern Green Beans supposed to be so soft?
Yes! Unlike crisp-tender green beans in many recipes, Southern-style beans are traditionally cooked until very tender, allowing them to absorb all the flavors from the bacon and broth.
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