Homestyle Smothered Green Beans: Southern Comfort (Print Version)
Discover classic Smothered Green Beans, Southern style! A tender, savory side dish with a rich, smoky broth. Perfect comfort food for any meal.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 60 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 75 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Southern
Dietary: Meat-Eater (can be adapted to Vegetarian)
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
02 -
6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
03 -
1 large yellow onion, chopped
04 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquid & Seasonings
05 -
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
06 -
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
07 -
0.5 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
→ Optional Flavor Boosters
08 -
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
09 -
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for vegetarian version)
# Instructions:
01 -
Start by dicing your bacon into small pieces. Toss it into a large pot or a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat. Let it crisp up beautifully, rendering all that glorious fat. This takes a bit, so don't rush it; you want it nice and golden, not burnt! I always get distracted here and almost burn it, so keep an eye on it like a hawk!
02 -
Once the bacon is wonderfully crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove it to a paper-towel-lined plate. Leave about 2-3 tablespoons of that beautiful bacon grease in the pot – that's liquid gold for our Smothered Green Beans. Now, add your chopped onion and cook until it's softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Don't let it brown too much, just get it sweet and tender.
03 -
Next, toss in your minced garlic and cook for just about a minute until it's incredibly fragrant. You'll smell it – that amazing aroma that fills the kitchen, signaling all the good things to come! Be super careful not to burn the garlic; it turns bitter super fast, and that's a sad day. This is where I almost always overcook the garlic, so watch it!
04 -
Now, add your trimmed fresh green beans to the pot. Stir them around to coat them in that incredibly flavorful bacon-onion-garlic mix. Let them cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, just to get a little color on them and start softening up ever so slightly. I love how they start to turn a brighter green here, it's so pretty!
05 -
Pour in the chicken broth (or water). Add your salt, black pepper, and those optional red pepper flakes. Give everything a good stir to combine all those wonderful flavors. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let those beans do their thing. This is the magic part where they get all tender and delicious.
06 -
Let the beans simmer, covered, for at least 45 minutes to an hour, or even longer, until they are incredibly tender and have soaked up all that smoky, savory goodness. Check them periodically, giving them a stir and adding a splash more broth or water if needed to keep them just barely covered. Before serving, stir back in the crispy bacon bits. Taste and adjust seasonings – maybe a little more salt, maybe a fresh grind of pepper. They should be soft, savory, and just melt in your mouth!
# Notes:
01 -
The longer you simmer these, the more tender and flavorful they become. Patience is key!
02 -
Reheat gently on the stovetop; microwaving can make the sauce separate and beans mushy, trust me.
03 -
For a brighter finish, a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar at the very end works wonders.
04 -
Fresh green beans are always best for this recipe; frozen just won't give you that same melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large pot or Dutch oven
02 -
slotted spoon
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 200 kcal
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 8g