Southern Soul Food Green Beans with Bacon

These Southern Soul Food Green Beans with Bacon embody the heart and warmth of home-cooked comfort food. Simmered to perfection with savory bacon, onions, and simple seasonings, these green beans offer a rich, smoky flavor that makes them a beloved staple in Southern kitchens. The combination of tender green beans and crispy bacon creates a balance of texture and taste that pairs well with any hearty meal.

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This is a dish that was commonly served for Sunday dinners growing up! It’s also a part of the spread for every holiday. You may also enjoy my Air Fryer Garlic Roasted Green Beans.

Key Ingredients

• Green Beans
• Bacon
• Onions
• Broth
• Creole Seasoning
• Salt and Pepper

What Type of Green Beans to Use? Fresh, Frozen, Canned?

I love to use fresh green beans! They just taste better in this recipe. If you are strapped for time, check out my Instant Pot Southern Green Beans. Same recipe, and ready in no time! For fresh green beans, remove the stems first.

For canned green beans, you can use cut or whole. A lot of people wonder what the best brand is. Del Monte is the most popular.

In terms of nutrition, in comparison to fresh green beans, canned green beans are similar in nutritional value and nutrients. Canned are preserved at their height of freshness, so they do retain nutrients.

In most categories, fresh green beans provide more nutrients, but not by much, except for when it comes to sodium. Canned green beans have more sodium than fresh green beans. In a recipe like this, that factors, because broth and bacon are added. You can read more about Canned Green Beans vs Fresh Green Beans here.

Canned green beans can be cooked for 20 minutes uncovered, or until the green beans reach your desired texture. Canned are already really soft.

If using frozen green beans, whole or cut is fine. Frozen will follow a similar cook time as noted in the recipe.

How to Season the Green Beans

These green beans get their flavor from bacon (see substitutes below) and Creole Seasoning. You can make your own Creole Seasoning with 1/4 teaspoon (each) of the following: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.

How to Make Southern Soul Food Green Beans With Bacon

Scroll to the recipe card below for full measurements and detailed instructions.

1. Heat a Dutch oven or large pot on medium-high heat. Add pieces of bacon and cook until the bacon crisps.
2. Drain the excess fat from the pot.
3. Add onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add chicken broth and deglaze.
5. Add in green beans, Creole seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Stir.
6. Reduce heat to Low. Cover and cook.

Cook Time/How Long to Cook

This dish will cook on low for an hour to an hour and a half. You want to cook them until tender.

What Type of Pot to Use

I love to use a Dutch Oven. It will cook faster than a stock pot or soup pot, but you can also use those. I find the Dutch Oven usually saves me about 30 minutes.

How to Substitute Bacon

You can use anything you wish. Here are some ideas.

• Turkey Bacon
• Andouille Sausage
• Sausage
• Chicken Sausage
• Smoked Turkey Leg or Wing
• Ham
• Ham Hock

How to Make it Vegetarian or Vegan

Omit the bacon for a meatless dish. Use vegetable broth. Add in 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for flavor.

Pair This With These Southern Soul Food Main Dishes

Cajun Roasted Turkey
Baked Turkey Wings
Baked Turkey Legs
Baked Ham With Pineapple
Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Cornish Hens

More Side Dish Recipes

Southern Style Soul Food Mac and Cheese
Southern Cornbread Dressing with Chicken
Soul Food Cornbread Muffins
Instant Pot Gumbo
Roasted Okra
Smothered Okra
Southern Cornbread Casserole
Southern Cooked Cabbage
Seafood Mac and Cheese

Check out list of The Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.