I was raised on string beans and this southern green beans recipe is a favorite with my family. I love that it’s so easy, yet full of flavor.
Now I won’t even lie, I usually only fix homemade, fresh green beans for holidays and special occassions. Normally I just crack open a can of green beans, throw them the a pot with some Goya seasoning and call it a day! I got a TON of fresh green beans from Aldi’s because they were on sale and I just couldn’t pass them up. I’m so glad I didn’t! Canned green beans just can’t compare to a pot of homemade, savory green beans.
You can easily substitute the smoked turkey sausage with crispy bacon if you’d like or just leave the meat out altogether. That savory chicken broth, fresh onion and garlic does quiet the job with seasoning these southern green beans to perfection.
If adding bacon, fry it up separately and add it to the greens beans when done. That way you won’t have soggy, weird tasting bacon.
Watch me make thee southern green beans from start to finish!
The Recipe
Southern Green Beans
By Divas Can Cook
Ingredients
- 1 lb. of fresh, green beans
- ½ cup of finely chopped white onion
- 1 garlic clove
- ½ cup or more, chopped smoked sausage or smoked bacon
- 1-2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 Tablespoon of butter
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes seasoning salt & black pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Wash the green beans.
- Snap off the ends of the greens beans and cut or snap the green beans into pieces. Set aside.
- Finely dice onion, garlic, and smoked sausage. Set aside.
- In a saucepan or pot, melt butter.
- Add in onion, garlic, smoked sausage and chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil and add in rd pepper flakes
- Add in green beans.
- Cover and simmer for 1- 1½ hours. Check the green beans every 5 minutes after the one hour mark. You don't want to overcook them or they will be mushy!
- Season with seasoning salt & black pepper.
- Serve and enjoy!
These were great! I didn’t have 1 1/2 hours so I partially steamed the beans in the microwave first. I had bacon, no smoked ham (we are socially distancing for COVID so making do), so I chopped and cooked that first, removed the bacon lardons, then quickly sautéed the onion and garlic in the bacon grease. Added in 2 c. of chicken broth, brought to a boil, and the beans. Covered and simmered for 35 minutes. I’m out of red pepper, so omitted. Salt and freshly cracked black pepper at the end along with the bacon. They were excellent! Soft and flavorful but not mushy. I’m looking forward to my leftovers 🙂
I used canned green beans as the fresh did not look good. Oh my goodness, they are delicious. My family love these green beans and it’s a great change from your cabbage that I prepare often. Thanks.
What cooking time did you use with the canned beans?
These turned out GREAT! Such an easy fool proof recipe that went great with my baked ham.
Whats the measurements for the seasonings?
For someone who doesn’t like the smoke taste, what can be substituted?
Leave out the smoked meats.
How do you know if you need 1 or 2 cups of chicken broth?