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Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

These Southern Green Beans and Potatoes are the perfect combination of flavors. Green beans and potatoes are cooked until tender in a flavorful broth. Have them on the side of your favorite Southern entree. 

green beans and potatoes in white plate

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One thing that the South is known for is flavorful cooked vegetables. I’m not talking about just steaming or boiling the veggies either. I’m talking about cooking the vegetables in a flavorful broth until nice and tender. 

This broth sometimes referred to as “pot liquor,” comes from cooking either greens, like collard greens , or green beans in a broth that is seasoned with smoked meats. Typically, the smoked meats are whole smoked pieces, like ham hocks. When the vegetables are served, their usually smothered with the broth and some people drink the broth all on its own. 

For this green beans recipe, I chose to season the green beans with chicken broth and smoked bacon. I also added red potatoes. Red potatoes won’t always be found in a pot of green beans. But for one thing, it doesn’t hurt to add it. Serve this dish with Southern favorites like cornbread and meatloaf.

How to make Green Beans and Potatoes

First, gather all your ingredients. Make sure you trim your green beans and wash your produce.

ingredients for green beans and potatoes

Then in a heavy-bottomed pot, add bacon pieces and sauté over medium heat until the bacon starts to cook and curl, about 5 minutes.

Then add chopped onion and sauté until the onions have softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. 

bacon and onions cooking in heavy bottomed pot

Add the trimmed green beans, chicken broth, and butter to the pot and stir. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cooked covered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

green beans, chicken broth and other ingredeints in pot

After 20 minutes, add the cut red potatoes and stir. Cover and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes, until the red potatoes and green beans have softened. 

red potatoes added to the green beans and potatoes in pot

Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy. 

cooked green beans and potato in pot

Substitutions for Green Beans and Potatoes

For this recipe, I opted to use smoked bacon but other smoked meats will do. Try using smoked ham pieces or smoked turkey.

You can also keep this recipe Vegan by eliminating the meat and subbing vegetable broth for the chicken broth.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Yes. For the pressure cooker version, I recommended reducing the amount of broth to 1 cup. Then simply add the ingredients to your Instant Pot and cook for 9 minutes under high pressure. Once finished, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes and then quickly release any remaining pressure.

Should my green beans be crunchy?

Absolutley not. These beans are meant to be tender and that’s what makes them so amazing. Cook them until they are tender but do not cook them to long. Cooking the beans too long will lead to mushy beans.

Looking for other Southern vegetables recipes? Try these out:

green beans and potatoes in bowl
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4.67 from 12 votes

Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

These Southern Green Beans and Potatoes are the perfect combination of flavors. Green beans and potatoes are cooked until tender in a flavorful broth.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 318kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon chopped
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 lb green beans trimmed
  • 3 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth
  • ½ lb red potatoes cut into 4ths
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add bacon pieces in a heavy bottomed pot and sauté over medium heat until the bacon starts to cook and curl, about 5 minutes.
  • Then add chopped onion and sauté until the onions have softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Add the trimmed green beans, chicken broth, and butter to the pot and stir. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cooked covered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • After 20 minutes, add the cut red potatoes and stir. Cover and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes, until the red potatoes and green beans have softened.
  • Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • The red potatoes can be left out if preferred. Keep the cooking time the same. 
  • For the pressure cooker version of this recipe, I recommended reducing the amount of broth to 1 cup. Then simply add the ingredients to your Instant Pot and cook for 9 minutes under high pressure. Once finished, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes and then quickly release any remaining pressure.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal
Recipe Rating




Julie

Monday 15th of May 2023

i ran out of taters so i used turnips just as good!

Brandi Crawford

Monday 15th of May 2023

Glad to hear it!

Shirley

Thursday 4th of May 2023

At age 70, I still miss my grandmother's southern cooking. This recipe is as good, maybe even better. If I had fresh picked from the garden beans like she had, I would think I'd died and gone to heaven. Even with mediocre grocery store beans, it's still an amazing recipe. Thank you!

Brandi Crawford

Monday 15th of May 2023

You're welcome!

Dolores

Friday 24th of February 2023

Can the sting beans be cooked in crock pot🤔Thank you.

Tanya

Saturday 25th of February 2023

Hi Dolores, they sure can. You can use this recipe by Shannon as a guide. https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/slow-cooker-instant-pot-sausage-potatoes-green-beans-paleo-whole30/

KatieJ

Saturday 18th of February 2023

Greetings from So. Cal! This recipe is DELICIOUS! On the stove now, and the aroma is permeating our whole apartment! We like pepper, so I go a little overboard on the “to taste” direction, and used a bit more broth (no need to refrigerate a carton with less than 1/2 cup left!). Otherwise, following your recipe. Serving it alongside pork chops…can’t wait! Thanks for a great recipe!

Tanya

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Greetings KatieJ! Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the recipe :)

LaVerne Marty

Friday 13th of January 2023

I am making these right now sounds delicious smells even better

Imma

Sunday 5th of February 2023

Awesome! Do let us know how it works for you. Thanks