Ever had green beans so addictive they should come with a warning?
If you haven’t tried the Best Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe, you’re in for a delicious treat! Imagine tender green beans simmering all day in a bath of savory broth, crispy bacon, and aromatic onions. This dish is a game-changer for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. It’s easy to make, requires minimal fuss, and the flavors are downright mouthwatering.
Why Make This Recipe
Why should this recipe be your next culinary adventure? For starters:
- Easy Cleanup: Who doesn’t love a meal that uses just one pot? Toss everything into your crockpot, and you’re golden!
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will devour these savory green beans. They provide all the comfort of a Southern kitchen without the hassle.
- Budget-Friendly: You get amazing flavors without breaking the bank. It’s the ultimate win-win situation!
Ingredients
You don’t need fancy stuff — just these basics!
- 5 slices thick cut bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 2 medium cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups chicken broth (plus more if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans (washed with the ends trimmed)
- 1 Tablespoon butter
Directions
Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps:
Cut the bacon into 1/4-inch pieces and cook them in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, but reserve the bacon grease.
Add the onions to the pan with the bacon grease and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Toss in the garlic and stir for another minute until aromatic.
Transfer the onions and garlic to the crockpot, and discard the remaining bacon grease.
Into a 6-quart crockpot, add the chicken broth, garlic salt, black pepper, paprika, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir to combine.
Mix in half of the cooked bacon.
Lay the green beans in the crockpot, making sure they’re all lined up in the same direction for even cooking. Add more chicken broth if needed—aim for about 90% coverage.
Cook on low for 6-7 hours (or on high for 4 hours). If using low, check the tenderness around the 6-hour mark, and cook longer if needed.
Once done, drain the beans from the broth, then toss with butter, the remaining bacon, and add salt and pepper to taste.
How to Make Best Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe (Overview)
Making these green beans is as easy as pie!
- Start by crisping up the bacon, because let’s be real, everything is better with bacon.
- Sauté the onions and garlic in that heavenly bacon grease for a few minutes. Don’t skip this step—it makes all the difference!
- Mix it all in the crockpot, lay your beans flat, and let the magic happen while you go about your day.
- If you can resist, let them cook the full duration for maximum flavor; your patience will be rewarded!
How to Serve Best Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe
Serve these green beans as a vibrant side dish to any meal. Imagine the beautiful green color on your plate, contrasting with golden-crusted chicken or savory meatloaf. The aroma itself will have everyone flocking to the table! Top with extra crispy bacon bits for that added crunch.
How to Store Best Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe
Leftovers? Yes, please! These green beans keep well in the fridge for about 3-5 days. Freezing them? You’re covered for up to 3 months. When you reheat, simply toss them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. They can also be made ahead of time—just prepare them a day in advance!
Tips to Make Best Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe
Here are some quick insider tricks for perfecting your green beans:
- Want a deeper flavor? Try adding a splash of soy sauce to the broth mix.
- Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika for a twist on the classic profile.
- For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the bacon.
- Keep an eye on cook time as different crockpots can vary—check for doneness earlier if you’re using a newer model.
Variation
Feel like switching it up? Add some diced tomatoes for a burst of acidity or toss in some sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor. If you’re feeling spicy, try adding jalapeños to give it a kick!
FAQs
Can I make these green beans ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare them the day before and simply reheat for quick serving.
Can I use frozen green beans instead?
Yes, but reduce the cooking time by about an hour since they’re already blanched.
How spicy are these green beans?
They have a mild kick from the crushed red pepper flakes. You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference!
📌 Pin this recipe for your next cozy dinner night!
Best Southern Crockpot Green Beans
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the bacon into 1/4-inch pieces and cook them in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, but reserve the bacon grease.
- Add the onions to the pan with the bacon grease and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Toss in the garlic and stir for another minute until aromatic.
- Transfer the onions and garlic to the crockpot, and discard the remaining bacon grease.
- Into a 6-quart crockpot, add the chicken broth, garlic salt, black pepper, paprika, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir to combine.
- Mix in half of the cooked bacon.
- Lay the green beans in the crockpot, making sure they’re all lined up in the same direction for even cooking. Add more chicken broth if needed—aim for about 90% coverage.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours (or on high for 4 hours). If using low, check the tenderness around the 6-hour mark, and cook longer if needed.
- Once done, drain the beans from the broth, then toss with butter, the remaining bacon, and add salt and pepper to taste.