Southern Green Beans

Melt in your mouth tender green beans are elevated with smokey, savory bacon and chopped shallots in this southern green beans recipe.

Why this recipe works

A comforting and quick side dish for holidays or everyday dinners, these southern green beans hit the mark with plenty of bacon, garlic, and onion in tow.

There’s really something special about specific foods that tickle nostalgia with only a quick taste. These southern-style green beans with bacon paired with baked mac and cheese and juicy rib tips make one heck of a satisfying meal made with love – but the beauty in them is that they go with almost any main course you can imagine.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

GREEN BEANS – We find that fresh green beans are best for this recipe. You can substitute with canned green beans, but they won’t absorb the flavors that cooking them from fresh will.

BACON – You can use either regular or thick-cut bacon. Turkey bacon will also work. This recipe highlights tender cooked bacon, but if you prefer it crisp feel free to leave it in the skillet for an extra minute or two until the desired texture is reached.

ADDITIONS – On top of the green beans and bacon, we add shallots, garlic, chicken stock, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning to this recipe for lots of flavor. You can toss in a few pinches of red pepper flakes for an additional kick of spice if desired or opt for homemade Cajun seasoning instead. You can use regular onion in place of shallots if that’s what you have on hand.

How to Make Southern Green Beans

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Chop bacon into small pieces.
2. Fry bacon, shallots, and minced garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until bacon is tender, but not crisp.
3. Remove bacon mixture from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add green beans and chicken stock to the skillet and season to taste with garlic salt. Add half of the Slap Ya Mama seasoning. Stir and cover skillet, cooking beans over medium-high heat until tender, about 25-30 minutes.
5. Drain green beans. Return drained beans to skillet and add the bacon mixture. Season again with garlic salt to taste (if you wish) and remaining Slap Ya Mama seasoning. Stir mixture together and cook for an additional 5 minutes over medium heat.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store leftover green beans in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Yes, you can prepare and cook Southern style green beans a day in advance and allow them to cool before transferring them to an air-tight container or dish wrapped tightly with plastic wrap. Store them in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in a crockpot set to low for 1 – 1 1/2 hours.

Serving Suggestions

Southern green beans are a comfort food staple whether it be for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. They’re also the perfect side dish to bring to barbeques, potlucks, and parties of all kinds.

Serve them alongside fried chicken, roast, ribs, crockpot pork chops, pulled pork, seafood, or grilled meats.

More Side Dish Recipes

• Cajun Rice
• Dirty Rice
• Herb Buttermilk Biscuits
• Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

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