Southern Green Beans. I grew up eating string beans, and this southern green beans recipe is a family favorite. I like how simple it is, yet so flavorful.
I’m a fan of good home-cooked southern vegetables. It’s best to eat an entire plate of them. I almost never turn down an entree at a restaurant, — particularly if it includes Southern Green Beans. That slow-cooked technique in a bacon-flavored broth gets me every time.
While Southern Green Beans goes well with most dishes, I particularly love it with meatloaf as well as chicken anddumplings.
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The secret to great Eastern Shore green beans is the low and slow cooking process that all true Southerners adhere to, in a broth flavored with bacon.
The magic begins as the green beans soak up a lot of flavor from the bacon grease, chicken broth, seasoned salt, and garlic powder while cooking.
In a large pot, I begin by cooking some roughly chopped bacon. Some people prefer to remove the bacon after it has been cooked thoroughly, but I like to leave it in. Leave the grease in the pan.
Yes, the bacon will become soggy, but it still tastes amazing. The beans continue to soak up all the bacony essence.
What you’ll need to prepare this recipe
For a more hearty dish, some cooks like to add diced potatoes to this recipe. I have enjoyed this recipe with and without potatoes and it’s amazing either way. It just depends on your taste preferences.
If you’re looking for a great side dish to complement the green beans, a serving of sweet potato biscuits is always a great option!
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. of fresh, green beans
½ cup of finely chopped white onion
1 garlic clove
½ cup or more, chopped smoked sausage or smoked bacon
1-2 cups of chicken broth
1 Tablespoon of butter
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes seasoning salt & black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Wash the green beans.
2. Snap off the ends of the green beans and cut or snap the green beans into pieces. Set aside.
3. Finely dice the onion, garlic, and smoked sausage. Set aside.
4. In a saucepan or pot, melt butter.
5. Add onion, garlic, smoked sausage, and chicken broth.
6. Bring to a boil and add in red pepper flakes
7. Add green beans.
8. Cover and simmer for 1- 1½ hours. Check the green beans every 5 minutes after the one-hour mark. You don’t want to overcook them or they will be mushy!
9. Season with seasoning salt & black pepper.
10. Serve and enjoy!
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