Smothered Green Beans Recipe
Smothered Southern green beans and potatoes with smoky bacon, slow-simmered for rich flavor. Perfect with roast chicken or any Southern meal.
Servings: 8
Calories: 195kcal
Ingredients
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon chopped (or use 2 cups diced ham - or both!)
- 1 pound fresh green beans trimmed (or use frozen, thawed)
- 1 pound red potatoes chopped into chunks
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth or enough to partially submerge ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- Louisiana-style hot sauce to taste (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pan or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp, 5-6 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease / drippings in the pot.
- Add chopped onion to the drippings and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add potatoes and green beans to the pot. Season with Cajun seasoning, optional red pepper flake, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and green beans are soft and smothered in flavor.
- Whisk in the butter for added richness.
- Stir in the cooked bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot as a side or main dish.
Notes
Canned Green Beans. If using canned, drain then add the green beans at the very end of the recipe to warm them through. Use 1-2 cans as needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 486mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 529IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg