Old-Fashioned Southern Green Beans with Bacon

recip


1. Cook the Bacon

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp (5–7 mins).
  • Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; set aside. Leave drippings in pot.

2. Sauté Aromatics

  • Add onion to bacon drippings; cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
  • Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds.

3. Simmer the Beans

  • Add green beans, broth, vinegar, salt, pepper, and optional bay leaf or red pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
  • Cover and simmer:
    • Fresh beans: 45–60 minutes
    • Frozen beans: 25–35 minutes
  • Stir occasionally. Beans should be tender but not falling apart.

4. Finish & Serve

  • Stir in cooked bacon.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning—more vinegar? More pepper?
  • Discard bay leaf.
  • Serve hot, with plenty of potlikker (the flavorful cooking liquid)!

Serving Suggestions

  • 🍞 Classic pairing: Hot buttered cornbread for sopping up potlikker
  • 🍗 Southern supper: With fried chicken, collard greens, and mashed potatoes
  • 🥔 Comfort plate: Alongside meatloaf or roasted pork chops
  • 🥗 Balanced meal: With a simple tomato-cucumber salad

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

  • Fridge: Keeps up to 5 days—flavor deepens overnight!
  • Freeze: Up to 3 months—thaw and reheat gently on stove.
  • Reheat: Add a splash of broth to restore moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use ham hock instead of bacon?
A: Absolutely! Simmer a smoked ham hock with the beans, then remove and shred meat back in.

Q: Gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just ensure broth is GF.

Q: Beans too tough?
A: Older beans take longer—simmer up to 90 mins. Add a pinch of baking soda to speed tenderizing (use sparingly).

Q: No broth?
A: Use water + 1 tsp bouillon or a Parmesan rind for umami.

❤️ The Heart of the Dish

Old-Fashioned Southern Green Beans with Bacon aren’t fancy—but they’re honest, nourishing, and full of soul. They’re what you make when you want to honor simple ingredients, feed people well, or bring a taste of home to your table.

So snap those beans, fry that bacon, and let them simmer with patience. Because the best sides aren’t rushed—they’re smoky, tender, and made with love.

“Good food doesn’t need a recipe—it just needs beans, bacon, and someone hungry.” 🥓✨



 

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