American, Soul Food, Southern, Thanksgiving, Vegetables

Southern Style Green Beans

Southern Style Green Beans: A Flavorful Twist on a Classic Dish

Welcome back to “Smoking and Grilling with Me AB! Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of Southern style green beans. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, you’re in for a treat. We’re about to create a delicious, mouthwatering dish that’ll leave your guests craving more.

Ingredients

Let’s take a look at the key ingredients we’ll need:

3 lbs. Fresh Green Beans (Frozen can be used as an alternative)
8-12 slices of Bacon
8-10 small Potatoes (preferably red ones)
1 medium Red Onion
1 tbsp Garlic
2 cups Chicken Broth
2 tsp Sugar
1 tbsp Creole Seasoning (Creole Kick)
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper

Instructions

Start by snapping the fresh green beans. While you can use frozen ones, fresh green beans are always the better option. Snap them into thirds or halves, depending on your preference.
Next, it’s time to cut the bacon into 1-inch strips. We’re not going for super crispiness here, just a little elasticity. We’ll render the fat from the bacon to add flavor to our dish.
Cut the small potatoes in half and then quarter them. The goal is to keep the sizes uniform, so they cook evenly.
Roughly chop a medium-sized red onion. Red onions are a fantastic choice for flavor and color.
Heat a pot on medium-high heat and render the bacon fat. You can use turkey bacon as an alternative if you prefer.
Once the bacon is ready, remove it from the pot and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
Add the red onion to the pot and cook until softened. Don’t overcook them; we’re aiming to soften them, not caramelize.
Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant.
Return the heat to medium and reintroduce the bacon grease and onions.
Add the quartered potatoes, ensuring they’re well-coated with the bacon fat, onions, and garlic.
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, sugar, and Creole seasoning. The Creole Kick adds a unique flavor with less salt content.
Now, it’s time to introduce the star of the show – the fresh green beans. Stir everything together, ensuring the beans are well-coated.
Add a couple of cups of water or chicken broth. You want the liquid to cover about half of the pot’s contents. If you prefer, chicken broth can add extra flavor.
Stir everything together, making sure the green beans are close to touching the liquid.
Cover the pot, bring it to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for one hour.
After one hour, test the potatoes for doneness. They should be fork-tender.

There you have it, Southern Style Green Beans that’ll have your taste buds dancing! This dish is the perfect combination of Creole flavors, the smokiness of bacon, and the heartiness of green beans and potatoes. It’s an ideal side dish for any occasion, especially during the holidays.

We hope you enjoy making and savoring these Southern-style green beans. Remember to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste and have a fantastic cooking experience! Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this recipe with your friends. Happy cooking!

Serving Suggestions

Southern Style Breen Beans Perfect for the Holiday

Storing Leftovers

Storing leftovers properly is essential to maintain their flavor, texture, and safety. Here are some tips on how to store your leftovers effectively:

Cool Quickly: After your meal, allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Don’t leave them out for too long, as bacteria can multiply rapidly in the “danger zone” (40°F – 140°F or 4°C – 60°C). Ideally, refrigerate within two hours.
Portion Control: Divide large portions of leftovers into smaller, meal-sized portions. This makes it easier to reheat what you need and prevents you from reheating the entire batch multiple times, which can affect food quality.
Use Airtight Containers: Store leftovers in airtight containers to prevent moisture loss and to keep odors from other foods in your refrigerator from affecting the taste. Glass, plastic, and BPA-free containers with secure lids are good choices.
Label and Date: Label containers with the name of the dish and the date it was prepared. This will help you keep track of freshness and avoid mystery items in the back of your fridge.
Store Properly: Store leftovers on the refrigerator’s shelves, not in the door. The door is the warmest part of the fridge and is less consistent in temperature. Keep raw and cooked foods separate to prevent cross-contamination.
Refrigerate at Safe Temperatures: Keep your refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) to ensure food safety. Use a refrigerator thermometer to verify the temperature.
Freezing Leftovers: If you don’t plan to consume leftovers within a few days, consider freezing them. Most cooked dishes can be frozen for several months. Use airtight containers or freezer bags, and remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Reheat Safely: When reheating leftovers, make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any potential bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature.
Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t overcrowd the fridge or freezer with leftovers. Proper air circulation is important to maintain the quality of the food. Leave some space between containers.
Prioritize First In, First Out (FIFO): When storing leftovers, place newer items behind older ones. This encourages you to use older leftovers first and reduces food waste.
Don’t Reheat Multiple Times: Reheat only the portion you plan to eat and avoid reheating the same leftovers multiple times. Continual reheating can lead to a decline in taste and texture.
Consider Food Safety Guidelines: Be mindful of specific food safety guidelines for certain leftovers. For example, rice should be cooled quickly and not stored for too long, while dairy-based dishes may not have a long shelf life.

Food Pairing Suggestions

By following these tips, you can safely and effectively store your leftovers, ensuring they remain tasty and ready for future meals.

Southern style green beans are a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with a wide range of main courses. Here are some delicious options to serve with your green beans:

Fried Chicken: The classic Southern combination of crispy fried chicken and green beans is a match made in heaven. The savory and smoky flavors of the green beans complement the juicy, crunchy goodness of fried chicken.
BBQ Ribs: If you’re in the mood for a barbecue feast, serve your green beans alongside some tender, saucy BBQ ribs. The smokiness of the ribs pairs perfectly with the green beans’ flavors.
Grilled Steak: A perfectly grilled steak, whether it’s a ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon, goes wonderfully with green beans. The rich, savory steak and the vibrant green beans create a balanced and satisfying meal.
Baked Ham: Green beans and baked ham make a delightful combination, especially during holiday dinners. The saltiness of the ham and the sweet notes from the green beans harmonize well together.
Roast Turkey: For a classic Thanksgiving or holiday dinner, consider serving your green beans alongside a succulent roast turkey. The freshness of the green beans can be a refreshing contrast to the richness of the turkey.
Meatloaf: A comforting dish like meatloaf pairs wonderfully with green beans. The soft, savory meatloaf complements the crisp-tender green beans.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches: If you’re going for a more casual meal, serve your green beans with pulled pork sandwiches. The smoky, tender pulled pork pairs beautifully with the flavors of the green beans.
Cornbread: To keep things simple, you can serve your green beans with a side of warm, buttery cornbread. The combination of sweet and savory is a real Southern comfort.
Mac and Cheese: Green beans can also be a great addition to your mac and cheese. The cheesy, creamy mac and cheese balances the slight sweetness and smokiness of the green beans.
Salmon: If you prefer a lighter option, consider serving your green beans with grilled or baked salmon. The fresh, flaky fish complements the green beans’ flavors beautifully.

Remember, the beauty of Southern style green beans is their adaptability. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different main dishes to find your perfect pairing. Whether it’s a classic Southern dish or something entirely different, these green beans will add a burst of flavor and color to your meal. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Southern Style Green Beans

Cooking Southern style green beans can be a breeze with the right tips and tricks. Here are some handy pointers to ensure your green beans turn out perfectly every time:

Choose Fresh Green Beans: Whenever possible, use fresh green beans as they have a crisp texture and a more vibrant flavor. However, frozen green beans can be a suitable alternative when fresh ones aren’t available.
Uniformly Sized Ingredients: Cutting your ingredients, such as potatoes and green beans, into uniform sizes ensures even cooking. This way, everything will be ready at the same time.
Render Bacon Fat Slowly: When rendering bacon fat, aim for a slightly elastic texture rather than making it super crispy. This will allow the fat to infuse the dish with flavor without overwhelming it.
Don’t Overcook Onions: While cooking the onions, avoid overcooking them. Soften them to enhance their sweetness, but don’t caramelize them as we want to maintain a Southern style and color.
Use Red Onions for Color: Red onions not only add a delicious flavor but also a beautiful color to your dish. They’re an excellent choice for Southern-style green beans.
Monitor Seasoning: Be cautious with the salt as bacon can be quite salty on its own. Taste the dish before adding more salt to avoid over-seasoning. The Creole seasoning and other seasonings should provide a great flavor balance.
Simmer Slowly: Once everything is in the pot, bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Slow simmering helps the flavors meld together, and it allows the ingredients to become tender without turning mushy.
Test Doneness: After the hour of simmering, test the potatoes for doneness by using a fork. They should be fork-tender but not falling apart. Green beans should be tender and flavorful.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste your green beans before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. This is your chance to add a touch more salt, pepper, or Creole seasoning to suit your preferences.
Variations: Get creative with your green beans. You can add ingredients like diced tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, or a dash of hot sauce to give your dish a unique twist.
Make Ahead: If you’re preparing for a gathering, you can make your green beans ahead of time and reheat them just before serving. The flavors often deepen after a day or two, making them even more delicious.
Pairing: Consider serving your Southern style green beans with a variety of main courses, from fried chicken to grilled steak or roasted turkey. The versatility of this side dish allows it to complement a wide range of flavors.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll master the art of preparing Southern style green beans and enjoy a delicious side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Happy cooking!

Hey family,

My name is Aaron Brown. You can call me “A.B.”

My mission is to help you level up the process of making your favorite mealswith my video tutorials and recipe guides,plus my tried-and-true spices, cookware, and more that make every meal special.