You will find fresh green beans, thick cut bacon, onion, and amazing flavor in these Southern Green Beans. We cook them slowly for the perfect tenderness. Add them as a side dish to just about any meal, they are absolutely delicious!.
We are a green bean eating family. We make them multiple times per week. We have a big family, and I’m always short on time, so I have to serve them plain canned or frozen food. Since I had some time over the weekend to make our dinner, we chose to have our favorite southern-style green beans as a side dish on Sunday. It’s been way too long since we made them last.
If you have yet to try southern green beans, you have really been missing out. I can understand why some of you have yet to try them. Many fear bacon grease. The dish is visually unappealing. The beans are never bright green and they do not have any crunch to them. But if you make these green beans loaded with bacon, you will suddenly be over the visual discomfort. I promise you will be wanting to load your plate with a second helping. They are so good.
There are a few variations of southern style green beans most all of them include bacon. Some recipes like Paula Deens include new potatoes and others do not. Others will use canned green beans to keep it easy. Some add in additional spice, others keep the dish as simple as it is meant to be. My recipe keeps it quite basic with just a handful of ingredients.
When we make our Southern Green Beans, we make them just like traditional southerners. I start with thick cut bacon. I even splurge for the really good bacon. I use 7 thick slices. You will notice many recipes around the internet that will only use 4 slices. Right from the start, I know that these recipes can’t taste as good as mine. The extra bacon is really needed. I am sure those recipes taste wonderful but they can not have as much flavor as my dish. The bacon is one of the key ingredients in my opinion.
Other recipes will have you leave your bacon in your pan through the entire cooking process. I never do this. I remove until the very end to add it back in. The reason being is that the bacon will become soggy. Plus, there is plenty of bacon flavor infused from the bacon drippings.
I use fresh trimmed green beans for our recipe. It takes a little while to rinse and cut the stems, but the fresh ones taste so much better. It will not taste the same if you use frozen green beans or canned green beans, even though they will be faster.
We cook our fresh green beans slowly in a bacon broth that tastes great with onions and garlic. I do add in a little bit of red pepper for just a bit of added spice. The slow cooking process really makes these Southern Green Beans melt in your mouth good.
Paula Deen’s fresh green beans side dish is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy fresh green beans. This Southern-style recipe combines fresh green beans with new potatoes, onion, butter, and bacon grease for an irresistible flavor
Making this recipe is easy with just a few simple steps. Here is a complete walkthrough on how to make Paula Deen’s amazing fresh green beans recipe from start to finish:
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this recipe. you’ll need the following ingredients
- 1⁄2 stick sliced butter
- 1 onion, cut into slivers
- 12 small red new potatoes
- 2 to 3 teaspoons Paula Deen House Seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth (plus more if needed)
- 1⁄4 cup bacon grease
- 1⁄4 pound sliced salt pork
- 3 pounds fresh green beans
- Black pepper, to taste
The key is using fresh, crisp green beans. You’ll also need new potatoes, butter, onion, salt pork, and bacon grease to give the beans delicious flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing Paula’s green beans recipe:
Prep the Ingredients
- Wash the green beans thoroughly and trim off both ends.
- Snap the beans in half and place them in a colander to drain and dry. This will make them easier to cook.
- Peel a strip off the center of each new potato using a vegetable peeler.
- Slice the onion into thin slivers.
- Slice the butter into pieces.
Cook the Beans
- In a large cast iron Dutch oven, lightly brown the sliced salt pork in the bacon grease over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Add the snapped green beans and stir them to coat well with the pork fat drippings.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the Paula Deen House Seasoning.
- Cover the pot tightly and cook for 30 minutes over medium-low heat until beans are half cooked.
Finish Cooking the Dish
- After 30 minutes, add the peeled new potatoes and onion slivers to the pot.
- Add a bit more broth if needed to prevent sticking or burning.
- Cover tightly again and cook for 25-30 minutes more until potatoes are fork tender.
- Uncover and tilt lid to let steam escape. Simmer 15 minutes more.
- Add pats of the sliced butter and black pepper to taste.
- Cook uncovered for 5 more minutes until beans reach desired tenderness.
That’s all there is to it! Follow these simple steps for fresh, Southern-style green beans.
Handy Tips for Making Paula’s Green Beans
-
Use a Dutch oven or heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid for best results. This allows the beans to steam and tenderize properly.
-
Cook over medium-low heat to prevent scorching or burning.
-
Check beans periodically and add more broth as needed to keep moist.
-
Add potatoes and onions halfway through cooking so they finish at same time as beans.
-
Letting steam escape towards the end helps intensify flavor.
-
Add butter at the end for rich flavor and pepper to taste.
Choosing the Best Green Beans
For optimal flavor and texture, choose fresh, crisp green beans. Look for:
- Bright green color without brown spots
- Firm, snappy texture
- Slender, straight beans about 3-6 inches long
Avoid beans that appear limp, shriveled or have blemishes. Thinner beans cook faster than large, thick ones. Rinse just before using.
You can use frozen beans if fresh are unavailable. Thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Paula’s green beans pair well with a variety of Southern-inspired dishes:
- Fried chicken or pork chops
- Smothered steak
- Barbecued ribs or pulled pork
- Corn bread, biscuits or hushpuppies
- Coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad
For a hearty meal, serve the green beans with baked or mashed potatoes. They also make a flavorful addition to a potluck or picnic spread.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat gently before serving again.
Make Paula’s Beans Your Own
Paula’s recipe is deliciously versatile. Try these fun variations:
-
Use turkey bacon or olive oil instead of regular bacon grease.
-
Add crushed garlic, thyme, rosemary or oregano for extra flavor.
-
Toss in halved cherry tomatoes for bright bursts of flavor.
-
Mix in cooked, crumbled bacon along with the butter at the end.
-
Top with grated Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts or almonds.
-
For color and crunch, stir in slivered yellow squash or zucchini.
So put on your apron and enjoy Paula Deen’s signature Southern-style fresh green beans recipe. The secret ingredients of bacon, butter and pork drippings give these beans incredible old-fashioned flavor.
How to make Southern Green Beans with Bacon
Cut bacon into 1″ pieces. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Remove bacon pieces from pan and set aside. Add onion and garlic to pan. Stir to coat in grease. Remove from heat. Rinse beans and trim off stem ends. Add green beans and broth to skillet. Stir to mix, Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, until beans are tender. Uncover, add bacon and continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
I have been tempted to make this recipe in the Crockpot or my Instant Pot. I have yet to do so. I worry that the results will be way different. Maybe it would work great, I am not sure. Sometimes messing with a traditional old school recipe can be difficult. I fear not duplicating the exact results that make the dish extraordinary. If you attempt either of those versions, be sure to leave me a comment with your results.
Here are some additional side dish recipes you might enjoy:
Ingredients to make Southern Style Green Beans
2.25 pounds of fresh green beans 7.25 strips of thick-cut bacon 2.25 teaspoons of minced garlic 1.25 cups of chicken broth 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Love & Best Dishes: Southern Green Beans Recipe | How To Cook Green Beans
FAQ
How do you prepare fresh green beans before cooking?
What can I add to fresh green beans for flavor?
Do you wash fresh green beans before or after snapping?
How do you cook green beans in a skillet?
Cook green beans in a skillet by draining bacon on paper towels and adding the shallot to the reserved drippings in the skillet. Cook the shallot for 1 minute, then add the green beans. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes or to desired tenderness. Add salt and pepper, tossing gently to coat. Sprinkle with bacon before serving.
How do you cook green beans using bacon drippings?
To cook green beans using bacon drippings, first cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp and remove it with a slotted spoon, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Drain the bacon on paper towels. Next, add a shallot to the reserved drippings in the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Finally, add the green beans and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes or to desired tenderness.
How do you cook green beans in a crock pot?
Toss the green beans into the pot, stirring them with a wooden spoon to coat well with the pork fat. Add the stock and House Seasoning. Cook over medium-low heat, covered tightly, for approximately 30 minutes, or until the beans are half done. While the beans are cooking, peel a center strip from each new potato with a potato peeler.
How long do you cook green beans with potatoes?
When the potatoes are tender, tilt the lid slightly, off to the side of the pot, and continue to cook until the green beans are wilted, approximately 15 minutes. While cooking, add butter and season with pepper. This easy green bean with potatoes recipe from Paula Deen is a classic side dish perfect for entertaining.