Southern-style green beans with bacon

Here’s a classic Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon recipe 🌿🥓
Savory, smoky, and perfect as a side dish for any meal.

🥬 Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon

Serves: 4
Prep & Cook: ~30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed (or frozen, thawed)

• 4–6 slices bacon, chopped

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup chicken broth (or water)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon

   • In a large skillet or pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy.

   • Remove bacon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan.

2. Sauté aromatics

   • Add onion to the bacon fat, cook 3–4 minutes until soft.

   • Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

3. Cook green beans

   • Add green beans and chicken broth.

   • Cover and simmer 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender but still slightly crisp.

4. Finish

   • Stir in crispy bacon.

   • Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.

5. Serve

   • Hot as a side for roasts, fried chicken, or any Southern meal.

🌟 Tips

• Use fresh green beans for the best flavor; frozen works in a pinch.

• Add a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end for a tangy kick.

• For extra flavor, simmer with a smoked ham hock instead of or in addition to bacon.