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Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

Southern Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

A classic Southern side dish featuring tender green beans slow-cooked with smoky bacon, onions, garlic, and a blend of seasonings in a crockpot. This recipe delivers rich, hearty flavors with minimal effort, perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and trim the green beans thoroughly. Thinly slice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and flavor.
  2. Sauté Bacon and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon pieces and then sauté the sliced onions in the remaining bacon fat until softened and translucent.
  3. Combine in Crockpot: Add the green beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions, and minced garlic into the crockpot. Pour in the chicken broth, then season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  4. Set and Slow Cook: 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 rich flavors.
  5. Final Taste Check: Before serving, taste the green beans and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Optionally, stir in fresh herbs or a tablespoon of butter for extra flavor and richness.

Notes

  • Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor.
  • Trim the stem ends of green beans to ensure tenderness.
  • Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy green beans; check towards the end of cooking time.
  • Sautéing bacon and onions separately enhances the depth of flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of chicken broth depending on the size of your crockpot and how saucy you want the dish.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked paprika and extra garlic.

Nutrition

Keywords: southern green beans, crockpot green beans, slow cooker side dish, southern side dish, green beans with bacon