Old-Fashioned Southern Green Beans Bacon (Print Format)
Slow-cooked green beans with bacon, onion, and broth for a deeply savory Southern-style side.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
2 lbs (900g) fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped, or 24 oz frozen green beans
02 -
6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
03 -
1 small yellow onion, diced
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
05 -
2 cups chicken broth, or water with bouillon
06 -
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
07 -
½ tsp salt, adjusted to taste
08 -
¼ tsp black pepper
09 -
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
10 -
1 bay leaf
11 -
1 tsp sugar
# Steps:
01 -
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 5–7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
02 -
Add diced onion to the bacon drippings in the pot and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic (if using) and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
03 -
Add the green beans, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and optional ingredients (red pepper flakes, bay leaf). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes if using fresh beans or 25–35 minutes for frozen beans, stirring occasionally. Cook until the beans are tender but not falling apart.
04 -
Stir in the cooked bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more vinegar or pepper if desired. Discard the bay leaf and serve hot with the flavorful cooking liquid (potlikker).
# Tips:
01 -
Older green beans may require longer cooking times. Simmer up to 90 minutes if needed, and add a pinch of baking soda to speed tenderizing, but use it sparingly.
02 -
For gluten-free preparation, ensure the broth is certified gluten-free.