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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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