Kentucky Style Green Beans
Discover the ultimate comfort food side dish with these savory and satisfying Kentucky Style Green Beans. This Southern-inspired recipe features tender green beans simmered to perfection in a rich broth infused with smoky bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and a hint of apple cider vinegar for a subtle tang. A touch of sugar balances the flavors, while garlic and butter elevate the dish with their aromatic depth. Perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings, this hearty dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats or classic holiday fare. Ready in under an hour, this easy recipe turns simple ingredients into a show-stopping Southern classic.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the green beans and trim off the stem ends. Set aside.
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Leave the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion to the skillet and sauté in the bacon fat for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and bring it to a gentle boil. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, butter, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
Add the green beans to the skillet, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Crumble the cooked bacon and sprinkle it over the top.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the green beans simmer for 40–45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The beans should be tender but not mushy.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the Kentucky Style Green Beans warm as a side dish, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
125 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 5.9 g | 8% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.8 g | 14% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 16 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 630 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.6 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.1 g | ||
| Protein | 7.0 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 64 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 433 mg | 9% | |
*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.
