Slow-Cooked Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon
A hearty Southern-inspired side of green beans slow-cooked with smoky bacon and aromatic spices, perfect for a comforting Australian meal. This southern australian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 255 minutes pairs trimmed fresh green beans, chopped bacon slices, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 130 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, trimmed fresh green beans
- 6 slices, chopped bacon slices
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp, optional crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon slices for 5-7 minutes until crispy and the fat is rendered. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the skillet.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion to the skillet with bacon fat and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb trimmed fresh green beans, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours until green beans are tender but not mushy.
- Step 6: Stir in the cooked bacon pieces before serving to add smoky crunch.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep trimmed fresh green beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon?
Southern Australian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
