Southern Green Beans

4.88 from 8 votes

These southern-style green beans are simmered low and slow with smoked meat, seasoned broth, and simple aromatics until tender and deeply flavorful. It’s a classic southern green beans recipe made for Sunday suppers, special occasions, and any meal that calls for true comfort food.

Prep Time15

Cook Time2

Total Time2 15

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings:

Calories: 291kcal

Author: Ebony Robinson

Equipment

Dutch Oven

Ingredients

32 oz Frozen French cut green beans
2 Smoked Pork Neckbones ham hocks, turkey legs, or salt pork also work
4-6 cups Water use enough water to barely cover smoked meat
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Better Than Chicken Bouillon
3 tbsp Butter
1 tsp White Distilled Vinegar
½ Yellow Onion chopped
1 tbsp Sea Salt
½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
2-3 dash Hickory Smoke

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Instructions

In a large stock pot or dutch oven, add the smoked pork neckbones, water (just enough to barely cover the meat), onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, cover with a lid slightly cracked, then reduce heat to low once water reaches a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour to create a deeply smoky, seasoned broth.
Remove the lid and add the frozen green beans, chopped onion, butter, Better Than Bouillon, white distilled vinegar, black pepper, and hickory smoke. Stir gently to combine, then cover again, leaving room for steam to escape.
Simmer beans and aromatics on low heat for 30 minutes, then stir once and simmer for another 30 minutes. Be sure the beans never come to a boil, southern-style green beans cook best low and slow so they can fully absorb the broth.
Remove the lid, taste the beans, and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve warm and enjoy! You can also pull apart and mix in smoked meat if desired.

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