This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
These Southern Green Beans are slow cooked with bacon, onion, and seasonings for a flavorful, tender side dish. A classic comfort food perfect for any meal.
Southern Green Beans are a classic side that have been served with dinner for years. Southern cooking is probably my all-time favorite to make. Recipes passed down from my grandma to my mom to me are comforting and always easy to make. Southern recipes will keep you full and they always taste amazing.
These Southern Green Beans are full of flavor with sauteed fresh garlic and smoked sausage. Slow coked on the stove top to allow the seasoning and broth to tenderize the green beans are the best way to good them.
How to make Southern Green Beans:
In a large pot, you want to sauté your fresh garlic. Then you will add all your remaining ingredients to the same large pot.
Cook for about an hour, allowing the green beans to become tender, but make sure they are not mushy.
Use a slotted spoon to serve them so you do not get much of the remaining broth on the plate when you serve.
Ingredient Notes:
- Fresh Green Beans: Fresh green beans give the best texture and flavor. Be sure to wash and trim the ends before cooking. You can substitute frozen green beans if needed.
- Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level. Salted butter can be used, just adjust added salt later.
- Onion: Yellow or white onions work best.
- Garlic: use ½ teaspoon garlic powder per clove if needed.
- Smoked Sausage: I used kielbasa you could also use andouille (for a little heat) or turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- Chicken Broth: You can substitute vegetable broth or water with bouillon.
- Seasoning: I used red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Directions:
Step One – In a pot melt butter and add in diced onion. Sauté over medium heat until tender and translucent.
Add in minced garlic and smoked sausage. Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. Lower heat as needed to not burn garlic.
Step Two – Add chicken broth to your pot and bring to a boil.
Once your broth is at a boil add in red pepper flakes and green beans.
Step Three – Reduce heat and cover. Allow to simmer for 60-90 minutes.
Recipe Tip
After an hour check your green beans every 5-7 minutes to make sure they are tender, but not mushy.
Step Four – Season with salt and pepper to taste then serve.
How to Store Southern Green Beans
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
These green beans can also be frozen for up to 2 months, though texture may soften slightly.
Tips for the perfect green beans:
- Cook Time – yes, cooking these for an hour or more seems like it may be a long time but cooking them on the low simmer allows the green beans to not become too mushy or soft.
- Seasoning – Onion Powder, Garlic, Salt and Pepper are the best seasoning for green beans, in my opinion if you want to skip the fresh onion and garlic. I like to add some spice with red peppers flakes but that is optional.
- Use fresh green beans – While you can use canned or frozen green beans, they are just not my favorite choice. It is easier to use them as well. If you do use canned or frozen green beans, make sure you watch the cook time as they are already going to be soft due to being canned in water and when then thaw from frozen.
Try some of my other favorite Side Dish Recipes:
Grilled Asparagus – Nothing beats Grilled Asparagus. It’s the perfect summer side dish recipe. Drizzled with oil, sprinkled with salt, then grilled with butter. Not much beats this perfectly grilled sided dish recipe.
Creamed Peas – Creamed Peas is a classic side dish recipe that is very easy to make. It’s a perfect quick and easy side dish for dinner or even for the holidays!
Roasted Vegetables – These deliciously seasoned Roasted Vegetables are the perfect side dish. Take your favorite vegetables, season them, and make the easiest Roasted Vegetables you’ve ever had. They are the best way to make Roasted Vegetables!
If you tried any of my recipes, I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.
Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH
Southern Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, (washed and trimmed)
- 2 tablespoons butter, (unsalted)
- 1/2 cup onion, (diced)
- 1 clove garlic, (minced)
- 1/2 cup smoked sausage, (sliced and diced)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (optional or to taste)
- salt and pepper, (to taste)
Instructions
- In a pot melt butter and add in diced onion. Sauté over medium heat until tender and translucent. Add in minced garlic and smoked sausage. Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. Lower heat as needed to not burn garlic.
- Add chicken broth to your pot and bring to a boil. Once your broth is at a boil add in red pepper flakes and green beans.
- Reduce heat and cover. Allow to simmer for 60-90 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste then serve.
