5 from 3 votes
Southern-Style Green Beans
Slowly simmered green beans with bacon, herbs, and a touch of butter take this side dish to the next level. And, they can be made in advance and then reheated before serving. Perfect for a special holiday feast, but also a Sunday dinner at home.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
220 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 lices Bacon thick-cut, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion chopped, about 1 cup
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper more for extra heat
- 1½ lbs green beans fresh, trimmed and halved
- 2½ cups chicken broth plus extra, as needed
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 prigs thyme fresh
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoon butter unsalted
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large pot (or Dutch oven) over medium heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels. Spoon out enough of the rendered bacon grease to leave about 2 tablespoons.
- Add the onions to the pot and sauté in the bacon grease until soft and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Add the green beans, broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer the beans until they are very tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Use tongs to remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf from the pot. Stir in the butter and cooked bacon. Serve at once.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- NOTE: Watch the video near the top of the recipe for visual guidance.
- NOTE:
- The beans can be trimmed up to 48 hours in advance of cooking them. (Do this ahead of time; it will save you time when you're ready to start cooking).
- The beans can be simmered several hours in advance of serving. Don't stir in the butter and bacon until ready to serve. Reheat the beans over medium heat.
- Leftovers are delicious and can be kept in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat.
Nutrition Information
Calories
220kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Trans Fat
0.3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
33mg
(11%)
Sodium
1912mg
(80%)
Potassium
494mg
(11%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
1437IU
(29%)
Vitamin C
25mg
(28%)
Calcium
89mg
(9%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 220
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 220kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 33mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 1912mg | 80% |
| Potassium | 494mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1437IU | 29% |
| Vitamin C | 25mg | 28% |
| Calcium | 89mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.