Southern Green Beans

Name: Southern Green Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: North America, Southern
Ingredients: 6 bacon strips, chopped; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-in. pieces; 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth or water; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Yield 12 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

These southern style green beans are infused with rich, smoky flavors, courtesy of adding savory bacon to the recipe.

Ingredients

6 bacon strips, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-in. pieces
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth or water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat.
In the same skillet with bacon fat, add onion; cook until tender, 4-5 minutes. Stir in garlic, cook one minute longer. Add stock and green beans. Cover; cook 10-12 minutes. Remove lid; cook until green beans are slightly tender and liquid has absorbed, 5-10 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Top with crispy bacon.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 98 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 344mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.

I remember picking green beans as a child alongside my mother and grandmother, then eating the fruits of our labor later that day. They'd stew the green beans in bacon fat, garlic, onions, broth and seasonings to infuse them with rich and smoky flavors. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Recipe Creator