Here is my favorite southern green beans with bacon recipe, with tender green beans slow-cooked with smoky bacon, onions, and simple seasonings that bring out all the best flavors.
These green beans are always a hit at our dinner table. My kids actually ask for seconds when I make them this way, which never happens with regular steamed vegetables. There’s just something magical about bacon that makes everything taste better, don’t you think?
Why You’ll Love This Green Beans with Bacon
- Smoky bacon flavor – The crispy bacon pieces add that irresistible smoky taste that transforms ordinary green beans into something special your whole family will ask for again and again.
- Simple ingredients – You probably already have most of these pantry staples at home, making this an easy side dish to whip up any night of the week.
- Quick cooking time – Ready in under an hour, this recipe fits perfectly into busy weeknight dinner plans without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.
- Perfect side dish – These green beans pair beautifully with everything from fried chicken to meatloaf, making them a go-to recipe for family dinners and holiday meals.
- Kid-friendly vegetables – The sweet and savory combination helps even picky eaters enjoy their vegetables, making dinner time a little easier for parents.
What Kind of Green Beans Should I Use?
Fresh green beans are definitely the way to go for this Southern-style recipe, and you’ll want to look for beans that are bright green and snap crisply when you bend them. Avoid any that look wilted, have brown spots, or feel rubbery – those are past their prime. If fresh isn’t available, frozen green beans can work in a pinch, but skip the canned ones since they’ll get too mushy during the long cooking process. When you’re trimming the ends, you can leave them whole or snap them into bite-sized pieces, whatever you prefer.
Options for Substitutions
This classic Southern side dish is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:
- Fresh green beans: You can use frozen green beans if fresh aren’t available – just thaw them first and reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes since they’re already partially cooked.
- Bacon: For a lighter version, try turkey bacon or ham hock. If you want to skip meat altogether, use 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and add a pinch of smoked paprika for that smoky flavor.
- Brown sugar: White sugar works fine, or you can use honey or maple syrup – just start with 2 tablespoons and taste as you go since liquid sweeteners can be stronger.
- Chicken broth: Vegetable broth is a great substitute, or you can just use water if that’s all you have on hand. The bacon will still provide plenty of flavor.
- Garlic powder: Fresh minced garlic (about 2 cloves) can replace the powder – just add it when you’re cooking the onions so it doesn’t burn.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making Southern green beans is overcooking them until they turn mushy and gray – fresh green beans should be tender but still have a slight bite, so start checking for doneness after about 15-20 minutes of simmering.
Another common error is adding the brown sugar too early in the cooking process, which can cause it to burn and turn bitter, so wait until the last 10 minutes of cooking to stir it in.
Don’t skip rendering the bacon fat properly at the beginning – cook those chopped bacon pieces over medium heat until they’re crispy and have released plenty of fat, as this flavorful base is what makes these beans truly Southern-style.
Finally, resist the urge to add salt until the very end since the bacon and chicken broth already contain plenty of sodium, and always taste before seasoning to avoid an overly salty dish.
What to Serve With Southern Green Beans?
These smoky, bacon-loaded green beans are perfect alongside classic Southern comfort foods like fried chicken, barbecue ribs, or a juicy pork chop. They also pair beautifully with cornbread and mashed potatoes for a true down-home meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. If you’re grilling out, these green beans make an excellent side for burgers or grilled sausages too. For a lighter option, try serving them with baked chicken breast or grilled fish – the bacon and brown sugar flavors add just the right amount of richness to balance out leaner proteins.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: These Southern green beans taste even better the next day after all those flavors have had time to meld together! Store them in the fridge in a covered container for up to 4 days. I actually prefer eating the leftovers because the bacon flavor really soaks into the beans overnight.
Freeze: You can freeze these green beans for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags. Just keep in mind that the texture might be a bit softer after thawing, but the flavor will still be there. I like to freeze them in family-sized portions for easy weeknight sides.
Warm Up: Reheat your green beans gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave them in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round. Add a splash of chicken broth if they seem a little dry after reheating.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 550-650
- Protein: 18-22 g
- Fat: 32-38 g
- Carbohydrates: 48-56 g
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Ingredients
For the green beans:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
For the flavor base:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Salt, as needed
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it is crisp, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet for added flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Add the diced yellow onion directly to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease.
Cook over medium heat until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 3-5 minutes.
The bacon grease adds a rich, savory flavor to the onion.
Step 3: Add Seasonings and Sweetener
- 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Stir the packed brown sugar, garlic powder, and ground black pepper into the cooked onions.
Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture becomes fragrant and the sugar is beginning to melt.
I like to let the brown sugar caramelize a bit here for richer flavor.
Step 4: Add Green Beans and Toss
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet with the onion and sugar mixture.
Toss the green beans well to ensure they are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
Step 5: Simmer the Green Beans
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)
Pour in the chicken broth (if using) and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the green beans cook for about 15 minutes, or until they are tender to your liking.
Step 6: Combine with Cooked Bacon and Finish
- cooked bacon from Step 1
- salt, as needed
Once the green beans are tender, return the cooked bacon from Step 1 to the skillet.
Stir everything together and let it heat through for about 2 minutes.
Season to taste with salt before serving.
To really bring out the flavor, I sometimes add a little extra black pepper at this stage.
Simple Southern Green Beans with Bacon
Ingredients
For the green beans:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
For the flavor base:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- salt, as needed
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it is crisp, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet for added flavor.
- Add the diced yellow onion directly to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook over medium heat until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 3-5 minutes. The bacon grease adds a rich, savory flavor to the onion.
- Stir the packed brown sugar, garlic powder, and ground black pepper into the cooked onions. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture becomes fragrant and the sugar is beginning to melt. I like to let the brown sugar caramelize a bit here for richer flavor.
- Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet with the onion and sugar mixture. Toss the green beans well to ensure they are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Pour in the chicken broth (if using) and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the green beans cook for about 15 minutes, or until they are tender to your liking.
- Once the green beans are tender, return the cooked bacon from Step 1 to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it heat through for about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt before serving. To really bring out the flavor, I sometimes add a little extra black pepper at this stage.
