Quick Southern Green Beans Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Southern green beans simmer with a rich, smoky flavor that captures the heart of down-home cooking.

These tender, slow-cooked beans carry memories of family gatherings and lazy summer afternoons.

Bacon adds depth and saltiness to the classic side dish, creating a mouthwatering companion to any main course.

Each bite tells a story of tradition and comfort from southern kitchens.

Generations have perfected this simple yet delectable recipe, passing down techniques that make these green beans truly special.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the table, eager to savor a taste of southern hospitality.

Prepare to be transported by this soul-warming culinary experience that celebrates the best of southern comfort food.

Why Southern Green Beans Please

• Craft Southern Comfort: Dive into a hearty, traditional Southern-style green bean dish that warms the soul and brings family together around the dinner table.
• Master Simple Techniques: Enjoy a straightforward cooking process that requires minimal culinary skills, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: Develop rich, deep taste profiles by slow-cooking turkey necks or ham hocks, creating an incredibly savory broth that elevates simple vegetables.
• Nourish with One-Pot Convenience: Streamline your cooking with a single-pot meal that minimizes cleanup while delivering maximum flavor and nutrition.

Southern Green Bean Ingredients

• Turkey Necks: A flavorful base that provides rich, deep taste to the broth and adds protein to the dish.
• Ham Hocks: Contributes additional smoky and savory flavor to the overall dish.

• Green Beans: Fresh string beans that become tender and absorb the delicious broth.
• Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that add substance and help thicken the broth.
• Onion: Provides a sweet and aromatic foundation for the dish.
• Garlic: Adds depth and traditional southern flavor to the green bean preparation.

• Bouillon Powder, Seasoning Salt, Black Pepper: Essential spices that enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Water: The primary liquid used to create the flavorful broth for cooking.

Southern Green Bean Cooking Steps

Step 1: Kickstart the Flavor Base

Place turkey necks in a large stockpot with water.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 2 hours, creating a rich, savory broth.

Step 2: Enhance with Aromatic Ingredients

• Onion
• Garlic
• Bouillon powder

Add these ingredients to the simmering broth.

Top up water if needed to cover the necks.

Stir and taste, adjusting seasoning with salt to create a delicious liquid base.

Step 3: Introduce Hearty Vegetables

Drop in potatoes and string beans.

Cover and continue cooking at a low simmer until vegetables become tender and soft, approximately 45 minutes.

Step 4: Spice It Up

Sprinkle pepper into the pot.

Stir thoroughly and taste, making final seasoning adjustments as needed.

Keep covered off the heat.

Step 5: Prepare the Meat

Remove turkey necks and let cool slightly.

Carefully pull meat from bones, discarding skin and bones.

Return shredded meat back into the broth.

For ham hocks, break apart or remove and pull meat, then return to pot.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle beans, potatoes, and meat into bowls.

Include a generous portion of the flavorful broth for a comforting Southern-style meal.

Pro Tips for Southern Green Beans

• Simmer turkey necks or ham hocks low and slow to develop deep, rich flavors that infuse the entire dish with savory goodness.
• Cook potatoes and green beans just until tender to maintain their texture and prevent overcooking, ensuring a perfect bite every time.
• Taste the broth before adding seasoning salt and bouillon powder, adjusting gradually to achieve the ideal balance of saltiness.
• Carefully pull meat from turkey necks or ham hocks, removing skin and bones to create tender, flavorful protein throughout the dish.
• Ladle plenty of broth into serving bowls to keep the green beans and potatoes moist and enhance the overall eating experience.

Creative Southern Bean Variations

• Vegetarian Green Beans: Replace turkey necks with smoked tofu or tempeh for a plant-based protein option. Use vegetable broth instead of turkey stock to maintain rich flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Version: Eliminate bouillon powder and seasoning salt. Use fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary to enhance taste without additional sodium. Choose low-sodium vegetable broth as liquid base.
• Spicy Southern Style: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes during cooking process. Include chopped andouille sausage for extra heat and authentic Southern kick. Incorporate cayenne pepper for additional spiciness.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Remove potatoes to reduce carbohydrates. Increase green beans quantity and add butter for higher fat content. Use smoked chicken or bacon instead of turkey necks for protein boost.

How to Serve Green Beans

• Hearty Comfort Bowl: Ladle the green beans, potatoes, and tender turkey meat into deep bowls, ensuring each serving gets a generous splash of rich, flavorful broth.
• Rustic Cornbread Companion: Serve alongside warm, buttered cornbread to soak up the delicious broth and add a delightful Southern touch to the meal.
• Family-Style Gathering: Present the entire pot in the center of the table, allowing everyone to scoop their own portions and enjoy the communal dining experience.
• Protein Boost Option: Top each serving with crispy bacon bits or crumbled smoked sausage for an extra layer of smoky flavor and protein.

Southern Green Bean Storage Tips

• Store leftover Southern Green Beans in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making each serving even more delicious.
• Transfer cooled beans and broth to freezer-safe containers. They'll keep well for 3 months, providing a quick meal option when you're short on time.
• Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the broth seems too thick. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• This dish tastes even better the next day, so consider making a large batch for multiple meals throughout the week.

FAQs

• What meat can I use instead of turkey necks?

You can substitute ham hocks, smoked ham, or bacon for flavor. Each option will bring a slightly different taste profile to the dish.

• How do I know when the green beans are perfectly cooked?

The green beans are done when they are soft but not mushy, typically after about 45 minutes of cooking in the flavorful broth. They should easily break apart when pressed with a fork.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

While the traditional Southern green beans rely on meat for flavor, you can create a vegetarian version by using smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or vegetable broth to achieve a similar depth of flavor. Consider adding mushrooms for extra umami.

Southern Green Beans Recipe

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• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern green beans simmer with smoky bacon and onions, creating a mouthwatering side dish that whispers comfort and tradition. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, this classic Southern recipe delivers rich flavors you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 6 meaty smoked turkey necks or smoked ham hocks

Vegetables:

• 2 lbs string beans, stemmed and halved crosswise
• 1 lb small to medium red potatoes, quartered
• 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 8–10 cups water, or as needed
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• Seasoning salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Initiate the flavor foundation by placing turkey necks in a large stockpot, covering with water, and bringing to a vigorous boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours, creating a rich, robust broth.
2. Enhance the liquid by replenishing water levels, then incorporate diced onions, minced garlic, and bouillon powder. Stir thoroughly and adjust seasoning with salt to develop a deeply flavored broth.
3. Gently introduce quartered potatoes and fresh green beans into the simmering liquid. Cover and continue cooking at low heat for approximately 45 minutes until vegetables reach perfect tenderness.
4. Elevate the flavor profile by sprinkling ground black pepper throughout the pot. Taste and fine-tune seasonings as needed, ensuring a balanced and harmonious blend.
5. Carefully extract turkey necks from the broth and allow them to cool slightly. Delicately separate meat from bones and skin, then return succulent pieces back into the pot. For ham hocks, break apart or remove meat as preferred, discarding inedible portions.
6. Ladle the hearty mixture into serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a generous mix of vegetables, tender meat, and flavorful broth. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Enhance broth flavor by simmering turkey necks or ham hocks slowly, allowing collagen to release rich, deep taste into the liquid.
• Consider using smoked turkey or chicken as healthier alternatives to traditional pork-based meats while maintaining authentic Southern cooking essence.
• Reduce sodium content by selecting low-sodium bouillon powder and seasoning gradually, tasting between additions to control salt levels.
• Create vegetarian version by substituting meat with smoked paprika, mushroom broth, and adding extra umami through sautéed cremini or shiitake mushrooms for depth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg