Classic Southern Style Green Beans Recipe
A Simple Southern Style Green Bean Recipe
This southern style green bean recipe is as simple as it gets. You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make it taste good, just the right ones. It’s a great one-pot meal or side dish that’ll fill you up and satisfy your craving for comfort food.
The Right Ingredients Matter
The key to this recipe is using fresh green beans, hearty smoked meat, tender potatoes, and a few pantry staples like onion, broth, salt, and pepper. These come together to create those classic Southern flavors we all love.
Ingredients for Southern Style Green Beans with Smoked Meat and Potatoes
Here’s what each ingredient does in this easy, down-home recipe plus a few tips to help you get it just right:
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Fresh or Frozen Green Beans:
These are the star here. Fresh ones give you color and a little snap. Frozen green beans work well too. -
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Smoked Meat (Turkey, Ham Hocks, or Ham):
This is where your flavor comes from. It makes the beans hearty and fills you up. You can skip the meat if you want. Just add some smoked seasoning or sauté garlic and onions to keep things tasty. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try jowls or bacon instead. -
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Potatoes:
Peeled and cut into chunks, potatoes soak up that good broth and add some creaminess to the beans. If you want to know the best potatoes to use, check out my potato guide. And heads up, if these are all you’ve got, watch your cooking time so they don’t turn mushy. -
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Onion:
Sweet or yellow onions work best. You can toss them in raw or make them a little richer by sautéing in butter first. Want more onion flavor? A pinch of onion powder does the trick. -
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Broth (Low-Sodium Chicken Broth or Water + Bouillon):
This is your cooking liquid that brings it all together. Since smoked meat can be salty, go for low or no salt broth and always taste before adding salt. You can swap in bouillon for more flavor too. -
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Salt and Pepper:
Just simple seasonings to make everything pop. Taste your broth before seasoning so you don’t overdo it.
What to Serve with Southern Style Green Beans with Smoked Meat and Potatoes
This dish can stand alone as a hearty side or one-pot meal, but pairing it with the right sides makes it even better.
Serve it Alongside
Southern Style Cornbread: A classic Southern pairing, cornbread’s crumbly texture and slight sweetness balance the smoky beans perfectly.
Glazed Carrots: Sweet and tender glazed carrots add a nice pop of color and a touch of natural sweetness to the plate.
Butter Biscuits: Fluffy, buttery biscuits are perfect for soaking up that flavorful broth.
Make it a Meal
Add a little something extra and turn it into a full Southern feast.
Juicy Baked Chicken: Tender and flavorful, this chicken pairs beautifully with the green beans and potatoes.
Southern Style Potato Salad: A creamy, foolproof potato salad brings a cool contrast to the warm, smoky beans.
Honey Cornbread: Sweet and moist cornbread that adds just the right amount of sweetness to the meal.
Buttery Herbed Stuffing: Rich and flavorful, this dressing ties all the flavors together for a comforting finish.
A Little Memory About Green Beans
Back in my early years, we called them string beans, every bean was a string bean, lol. Green beans were usually canned and doctored up to hide that canned taste, but that lovely canned flavor (insert sarcasm) always stuck around.
Then fresh and frozen beans came along. They taste better and hold their texture way more than canned.
Canned beans are convenient and sometimes cheaper, but I like to keep frozen beans on hand. If my fresh beans look like they won’t last, I freeze them. The texture stays good, and now I can make this dish in a New York minute-well, a Southern lady minute. You know I’ve got to add that Southern flair, lol.
Southern Style Green Beans with Smoked Meat and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green beans trimmed (or frozen)
- 1- 1.5 lbs smoked meat turkey, ham hocks, or ham
- 4 potatoes peeled and cut
- 1 onion chopped
- Broth to cover smoked meat low-sodium chicken broth or water + bouillon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place smoked meat in broth or water and simmer until tender. Remove meat and set aside. You can debone and remove the skin if desired.
- Add chopped onion to the pot. Add the potatoes and green beans together.
- If you prefer firmer green beans, cook the potatoes first for a few minutes, then add the green beans. Cook until tender.
- Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Add the smoked meat back into the pot. Remove from heat and let sit a few minutes so the broth flavors soak in.
Notes
The Tools I Recommend to Get This Dish Done Right
If you want this Southern green bean recipe to come together smooth and easy, a few good tools make all the difference. I like using a sturdy Lodge Dutch oven, it holds the heat and gives everything time to get tender just right. A solid utensil set helps with stirring and serving, and a sharp knife makes trimming fresh green beans quick and painless. That’s all you really need to get this dish done right, just like we like it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned green beans?
Yes. Rinse them well and drain them. Add them during the last five minutes of cooking, then let them sit in the broth. The longer they sit, the better they taste.
How should I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Can this recipe be frozen?
Yes. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It keeps well for about 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
How do I trim fresh green beans?
Snap or cut off the stem ends of each bean. You can leave the pointed tips or trim those too if you like things tidy.
Do green beans need to be blanched?
Not for this recipe. But if you're freezing them or want to keep their bright color, blanching helps.
How do I blanch green beans?
Bring salted water to a boil, add the green beans, and cook for 2–3 minutes. Then drain and drop them into ice water to stop the cooking. Dry them before using or storing.
A Southern Staple Worth Keeping
This is one of those dishes that shows up everywhere—potlucks, family shindigs, and lazy weeknights when you just want something easy and comforting. This simple Southern green bean recipe is exactly that: simple, but packed with flavor. All the ingredients are ones you probably already have on hand. Simple doesn’t mean bland, and this dish proves it. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own as a full meal, but also plays well as a side with just about any meat entrée.
Want more recipes that are just as easy and satisfying? Scroll down and take a look—you might find your next favorite.
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