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Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

A comforting and easy-to-make Southern Crockpot Green Beans recipe featuring fresh green beans slow-cooked with smoky bacon, garlic, onion, and a touch of brown sugar. This flavorful side dish captures the essence of Southern cooking, perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts, and requires minimal hands-on effort.

  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Green Beans and Vegetables

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and washed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Meat and Broth

  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Seasonings and Extras

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Trim the ends off the green beans and rinse them thoroughly. Dice the onion and mince the garlic to have them ready for cooking.
  2. Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon bits with a slotted spoon, reserving the rendered bacon fat for added flavor.
  3. Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the green beans, cooked bacon, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the green beans are tender and infused with the smoky, savory flavors.
  5. Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the green beans and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm as a delicious Southern side dish.

Notes

  • Use fresh green beans rather than canned for better texture and flavor.
  • Don’t discard the bacon fat; it enhances the taste of the dish significantly.
  • Adjust the amount of chicken broth if your crockpot tends to cook with more or less liquid.
  • Add extra brown sugar or spices towards the end of cooking to refresh the flavors.
  • Slow cook on low settings to preserve color and prevent mushy beans.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke plus vegetable broth.
  • To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • Reheat gently on low heat, adding broth if needed to maintain moistness.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Southern
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Southern green beans, crockpot green beans, slow cooker side dish, Southern cooking, easy green beans recipe, bacon green beans, gluten-free side