Green Beans the Old Fashioned Way
Bring back the timeless, comforting flavors of home cooking with "Green Beans the Old Fashioned Way." This hearty side dish combines tender, slow-simmered fresh green beans with smoky bacon, caramelized onions, and a hint of garlic, all infused with the richness of chicken broth. A pat of butter adds a silky finish, while a touch of salt and pepper rounds out the flavors perfectly. The bacon drippings create a nostalgic, savory base that transforms simple ingredients into a crave-worthy dish. Ready in just under an hour, this recipe is perfect for holidays, family dinners, or anytime you want a taste of classic Southern-inspired cooking. Pair it with roasted meats or serve it alongside cornbread for a soul-satisfying meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds fresh green beans
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Wash and trim the green beans by snapping off the ends. Cut them into 2-inch pieces, if desired.
Chop the bacon into small pieces. Peel and finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic cloves.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until it renders its fat and becomes crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set them aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the chopped onion to the bacon drippings in the pan and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Add the trimmed green beans to the pan and toss to coat them in the bacon drippings and onions.
Pour in the chicken broth, add the butter, salt, and black pepper, and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover the pan with a lid and let the green beans simmer over low heat for 30-35 minutes, or until they are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Once cooked, stir the reserved bacon pieces back into the green beans. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Serve hot as a comforting side dish for your favorite meals.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
552 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.2 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.0 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 65 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 2946 mg | 128% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 63.1 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.3 g | 90% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.4 g | ||
| Protein | 31.4 g | 63% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 333 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 8.8 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 2199 mg | 47% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
