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–+ servings
Close up photo of Southern Green Beans with meat

Southern Green Beans

Ebony Robinson
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.
4.88 from 8 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 6
Calories 291 kcal

Equipment

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

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. 

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 19gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 1371mgPotassium: 556mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1228IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 3mg
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