Southern Home Cooked Pole Beans
Experience the heartwarming flavors of the South with this Southern Home Cooked Pole Beans recipe. Tender pole beans are slow-simmered in a rich broth infused with the smoky essence of a ham hock or bacon, aromatic garlic and onions, and a touch of optional red pepper flakes for subtle heat. This classic Southern side dish is comfort food at its finest, boasting a melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep, savory flavor. Perfectly seasoned with butter, kosher salt, and black pepper, these green beans are the ideal accompaniment to your favorite Southern-inspired mains like fried chicken, cornbread, or roasted pork. Easy to prepare with fresh, wholesome ingredients, this recipe brings cozy, down-home cooking right to your kitchen table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh pole beans
- 1 piece smoked ham hock (or bacon)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the pole beans under cold water, trim the ends, and snap them into 2-inch pieces. Set aside.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Place the smoked ham hock (or bacon) into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the broth to a simmer.
Add the prepared pole beans to the pot, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid. Sprinkle in the kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the pole beans simmer gently for 75-90 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking.
Check the pot periodically and add a bit of water if needed to keep the beans submerged. The beans should become tender and infused with the smoky flavor of the ham hock or bacon.
Remove the ham hock from the pot and shred any meat off the bone. Stir the meat back into the beans and discard the bone.
Taste the beans and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Serve the Southern Home Cooked Pole Beans warm as a side dish to complement your favorite Southern-inspired main courses.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1610 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 92.0 g | 118% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.1 g | 186% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 332 mg | 111% | |
| Sodium | 6922 mg | 301% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 83.6 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.9 g | 121% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.9 g | ||
| Protein | 112.8 g | 226% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 519 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 18.4 mg | 102% | |
| Potassium | 4195 mg | 89% | |
*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.
