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Southern green beans and potatoes are the perfect side for the holidays or when you need something hearty. This recipe is my perfected method for getting that rich, cozy comfort food flavor without the beans becoming too mushy or the potatoes staying bland.
Serve this alongside some baked chicken, mac and cheese, and cornbread for a soulful Sunday dinner.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Thick Cut Bacon – Brings smoky, salty flavor and gives the whole pot a rich base. I like to use thick cut instead of regular cut because there’s more fat.
- Yellow Onion – Softens down and adds sweetness and depth.
- All Purpose Seasoning – Gives the vegetables a quick boost of savory flavor.
- Garlic – Adds bold, aromatic flavor that builds on the bacon and onion.
- Green Beans – The star of the dish, tender but still hearty enough to hold up in the broth.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and rounds everything out.
- Chicken Broth – Helps the beans and potatoes simmer into something flavorful instead of plain.
- Red Potatoes – Make the dish more filling and soak up all that savory goodness.
FAQs for southern green beans and potatoes recipe
No. Yukon Gold or russet potatoes work too, but red potatoes hold their shape really well in this dish. The red potatoes are also classic to this dish.
Yes. They reheat well and taste even better once the flavors have had more time to sit together.
Yes, but the flavor will change. Smoked turkey or a little extra butter and seasoning can help bring back some of that savory depth.
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 slices thick cut bacon
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon all purpose seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 lb green beans, ends snapped or cut off, snap long pieces in half
- 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ lb red potatoes, cut into 8ths
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a dutch oven or pot over medium heat until desired crispiness. Remove from the pot and set aside, crumble the bacon into smaller bite sized pieces.
- To the same pot add the onions and cook for a few minutes until translucent. Add the seasoning and garlic and stir, cooking for about a minute.
- Turn the heat up to high and add in the green beans, butter and chicken broth. Stir this around, once it starts to boil, cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Let this simmer for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, add in the potatoes and give it a good stir. Cover again and let this cook for 20 minutes. Remove the lid, add in the bacon, stir and let cook on medium for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, serve, eat and enjoy! Feel free to add some salt and pepper if you’d like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to make Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
Cook bacon until crisp.
Use the drippings to soften onions and bloom the garlic and seasoning.
Simmer green beans in broth and butter until tender, then add the potatoes and let everything cook down together.
Stir the bacon back in at the end and serve warm for a savory Southern side that eats like comfort.
