Description
Savor Southern comfort with these slow-cooked green beans, simmering with smoky bacon and rich seasonings. Hearty, tender, and packed with down-home flavor, these crockpot green beans deliver classic Southern warmth that you’ll crave at every family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 900 g (2 lbs) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a kick)
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 cups chicken broth (or water for a lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional for brightness)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp, creating delectable, crunchy bits that will infuse the green beans with rich, smoky flavor.
- Transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, allowing excess grease to drain while preserving a tablespoon of the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté finely chopped onion and minced garlic in the residual bacon drippings, gently coaxing out their aromatic essence until the onions become translucent and softened.
- Layer fresh green beans into the crockpot, creating a verdant base that will slowly absorb the savory undertones of bacon and aromatics.
- Sprinkle the crisp bacon pieces over the green beans, distributing them evenly to ensure a balanced distribution of smoky, salty notes.
- Pour the sautéed onion and garlic mixture over the green beans, allowing the fragrant ingredients to mingle and develop depth of flavor.
- Season the green bean medley with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences and enhancing the overall culinary profile.
- Cover the crockpot and slow-cook the green beans on low setting, allowing the ingredients to gently merge and tenderize over several hours, creating a mouthwatering Southern-style side dish.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by using thick-cut bacon for a more robust, smoky taste that infuses deeply into the green beans.
- Control sodium levels by selecting low-sodium chicken broth or using water if you’re watching salt intake.
- Transform this dish into a vegetarian option by substituting bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a similar depth of flavor without meat.
- Enhance texture by trimming green beans diagonally, which helps them absorb more seasoning and cook more evenly in the crockpot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (on low) / 3-4 hours (on high)
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg