Description
This Easy Southern Green Beans recipe is packed with down-home flavor thanks to smoky bacon, caramelized onions, and a slow simmer in savory chicken broth. It’s the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or when you need something comforting and bold. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack, easy dinner, or just new food ideas, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for your collection of quick breakfast or dinner ideas!
Ingredients
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Trim and rinse the green beans, snapping them in half if they’re long.
2. In a Dutch oven or large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
3. Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and cook until golden and soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Add the green beans to the pot, then pour in enough chicken broth to just cover the beans. Let simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Once the broth has mostly reduced and beans are tender, stir in the cooked bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Notes
Use fresh green beans for best texture—frozen or canned beans will get too soft.
Don’t skip the bacon; it adds essential flavor and texture to the dish.
Let the broth reduce naturally without covering the pot. This concentrates the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: easy dinner, southern green beans, holiday side dish, comfort food, food ideas, green beans with bacon