Classic Southern Green Beans and Potatoes: A Soul-Satisfying Comfort Food Recipe
Step into the heart of Southern comfort with our beloved recipe for Southern Green Beans and Potatoes. This quintessential dish is more than just a side; it’s a culinary hug, a staple that graces tables from everyday family meals to grand holiday feasts. Marrying the fresh crispness of green beans with the creamy texture of tender potatoes, all simmered in a rich, savory broth infused with smoky bacon and sweet onions, this recipe promises a flavor profile that’s both deeply comforting and incredibly satisfying. Whether you serve it as a hearty accompaniment or let it shine as the star of your meal, this classic Southern creation is guaranteed to earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection. It’s simple, it’s wholesome, and absolutely irresistible, truly capturing the essence of Southern hospitality and cooking traditions.
Don’t Sweat The Recipe is supported by its readers. We may earn a commission if you purchase through a link on our site. Learn more.
Table of Contents
Jump to section:
- Why You’ll Love This Southern Green Beans Recipe
- Key Ingredients for Authentic Southern Flavor
- How to Make Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
- Serving Suggestions for Your Comfort Food Meal
- Expert Tips for the Best Southern Green Beans
- Delicious Variations to Try
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- More Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Southern Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe Card
Why You’ll Love This Southern Green Beans Recipe
This dish isn’t just a recipe; it’s a tradition, a taste of home, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Here’s why our Southern Green Beans and Potatoes recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your kitchen:
- Effortlessly Delicious: Don’t let the rich, complex flavor fool you; this southern-style green beans and potatoes recipe is remarkably easy to prepare. With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, you’ll achieve a deeply satisfying dish without any fuss. The simple cooking process allows the natural flavors to meld beautifully, creating a culinary experience that tastes intricate but is wonderfully simple to execute, perfect for any home cook.
- Incredible Versatility: This dish truly shines whether served as a hearty, standalone meal or a comforting side. It complements a wide array of main courses, from roasted chicken and pan-seared pork chops to grilled fish and succulent barbecue. Its robust flavors and satisfying textures make it adaptable to any menu, providing both substance and an authentic taste of the South that everyone will appreciate.
- Perfectly Tender, Flavor-Packed Bites: Imagine fork-tender baby potatoes and crisp-tender string beans, slow-simmered to perfection. They soak up every ounce of flavor from the smoky bacon, aromatic onions, and savory chicken broth, transforming into melt-in-your-mouth morsels. Each bite is a testament to the magic of slow cooking, delivering an explosion of Southern goodness that will leave you craving more.
- A Dish for Every Occasion: From casual weeknight dinners to festive holiday gatherings, lively BBQs, and potlucks, this recipe fits right in. It’s a dish that evokes warmth, hospitality, and shared memories, making it ideal for any event where good food and good company are cherished. Its universal appeal ensures it will be a hit with family and friends alike, always a welcome sight on the dinner table.
- Wholesome and Hearty: Made with fresh vegetables and flavorful additions, this dish offers a balanced and nourishing option. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals from the green beans and potatoes, while the bacon and broth add a comforting richness that makes it incredibly satisfying without feeling overly heavy. It’s a meal that feels good and tastes even better.
- Aromatic Kitchen Delight: The moment the bacon starts to sizzle, followed by the sweet onions and fragrant garlic, your kitchen will be filled with an irresistible aroma. This slow-simmering dish creates a homey atmosphere, inviting everyone to gather around and anticipate a truly delicious meal, making the cooking process as enjoyable as the eating.
While this dish is a star on its own, it also pairs beautifully with other Southern classics. Some of our other favorite side dish recipes include Risotto with Basmati Rice, Summer Succotash, Grilled Baby Potatoes on Skewers, Macaroni Salad, Buttermilk Fried Okra, and Quick Mashed Potatoes. These delicious options perfectly complement a wide range of meals, ensuring you always have a delightful accompaniment that caters to diverse tastes.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Southern Flavor
Crafting the perfect Southern Green Beans and Potatoes begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the rich, layered flavors that define this classic dish, ensuring an authentic and delicious outcome.
- Fresh Green Beans: The undisputed star of the show! Always opt for vibrant, firm, and snap-able fresh green beans. Their natural sweetness, earthy flavor, and satisfying crisp-tender texture are absolutely essential for this recipe. Seriously, avoid canned beans for this dish, as they lack the same flavor and texture integrity and can lead to a mushy result.
- Baby Red Potatoes or Yukon Golds: These “new potatoes” are ideal because they hold their shape beautifully during the slow simmering process, offering a creamy, tender interior without becoming overly mushy. If you’re using larger potatoes, remember to cut them into uniform 1.5 to 2-inch pieces to ensure even cooking alongside the green beans.
- Smoky Bacon: This isn’t just for garnish; bacon is the foundational flavor builder. As it renders, it releases savory fat that becomes the aromatic cooking base for the onions and garlic, infusing the entire dish with an irresistible smokiness and richness that is characteristic of true Southern cooking.
- Sweet Onion: Varieties like Vidalia, Walla Walla, or even a good quality yellow onion add a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth when sautéed until translucent. They caramelize slightly, contributing a complex, savory-sweet layer to the broth that deepens the overall flavor profile.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic provides a pungent, aromatic kick that enhances all the other flavors beautifully. It’s crucial to sauté it briefly (about 60 seconds) to unleash its full fragrance without letting it burn, which can make it bitter and compromise the dish’s taste.
- Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth: This liquid gold brings everything together, creating the savory bath in which the vegetables simmer. Using a reduced-sodium option is key because it allows you to control the salt content precisely, ensuring the dish is perfectly seasoned to your preference without being overly salty.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Simple but essential seasonings that elevate and balance all the robust flavors. Don’t be shy about seasoning to taste throughout the cooking process, as this allows you to build layers of flavor.
With these fresh and flavorful ingredients, carefully selected and prepared, you’re well on your way to creating a Southern masterpiece that will delight your palate.
For precise measurements, a comprehensive list of ingredients, and detailed instructions that will guide you through every step, simply scroll down to the full recipe card below. It’s designed to make creating this comforting classic as easy and enjoyable as possible.
How to Make Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
Creating this iconic Southern dish is simpler than you might think, yielding incredible depth of flavor with just a few key steps. Follow these instructions carefully for a perfect pot of green beans and potatoes every time, bringing authentic Southern taste to your table:
-
Step 1: Build the Flavor Foundation. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, begin by browning your chopped bacon until it’s wonderfully crispy. This crucial step renders out the flavorful fat, creating the perfect foundation for your dish. Once crispy, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, allowing it to drain and crisp further. Leave a tablespoon or two of the rendered bacon fat in the pot. Next, add the diced sweet onions to the pot and sauté them in the residual bacon fat until they become soft, translucent, and slightly sweet, typically for 5-7 minutes. Finally, stir in the minced fresh garlic and cook for about 60 seconds until wonderfully fragrant, being extremely careful not to let it burn, which can make it bitter.
-
Step 2: Simmer to Perfection. Now, it’s time to bring all the delicious components together. Add the prepared fresh green beans and baby potatoes to the pot, nestling them among the sautéed onions and garlic. Pour in the reduced-sodium chicken broth, ensuring the vegetables are mostly submerged in the savory liquid. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer gently.
-
Step 3: Achieving Fork-Tender Goodness and Serving. Continue to simmer for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, or until both the potatoes and green beans are perfectly fork tender. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your potatoes and the freshness of your beans, so check for doneness frequently by piercing a potato with a fork. Once cooked to your liking, taste the broth and vegetables, and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a bit more salt, pepper, or even a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick. Finally, return the crispy bacon to the pot, stirring it gently, or sprinkle it over individual servings for a delightful textural crunch and added smoky flavor. Serve hot and enjoy this classic Southern comfort food!
Serving Suggestions for Your Comfort Food Meal
While this Southern Green Beans and Potatoes recipe is hearty and satisfying enough to be a meal on its own, it also makes an exceptional side dish. Its rich flavors and comforting textures make it a versatile addition to almost any spread. Here are some fantastic ways to enjoy it, ensuring you make the most of this delicious Southern classic:
- With Southern Breads: The quintessential pairing that’s deeply ingrained in Southern culinary tradition! Serve these green beans with some delicious, fluffy buttermilk cornbread, tender buttermilk biscuits, or unique sweet potato biscuits. The most important part? Be sure to dip these delightful breads into the flavorful pot liquor (also widely known as pot likker or potlikker). This savory broth, infused with all the rich juices and flavors from the beans, potatoes, and bacon, is a true Southern delicacy and an experience not to be missed! It’s where much of the dish’s soul resides.
- Alongside Roasted or Fried Meats: This dish is the perfect, balancing accompaniment to classic Southern main courses. Imagine it next to crispy fried chicken, succulent roasted turkey or chicken, tender pot roast, or juicy pan-seared pork chops. The freshness of the beans and potatoes beautifully cuts through and complements the richness of the meats, creating a harmonious and satisfying meal.
- With BBQ Favorites: For your next backyard barbecue or summer cookout, this recipe is an absolute must-have. Its robust, smoky flavors make it an ideal pairing for smoked brisket, tender pulled pork, perfectly grilled ribs, or even a simple grilled sausage. It adds that essential touch of traditional homestyle flavor to any BBQ spread.
- A Light Meal on Its Own: For a lighter but still incredibly satisfying meal, serve a generous bowl of these warm green beans and potatoes with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette and a slice of warm, crusty bread. It’s comforting without being overly heavy, perfect for a cozy lunch or a lighter dinner.
- Essential for Holiday Spreads: This recipe is a natural and beloved fit for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any large family gathering. It’s a familiar, well-loved dish that contributes warmth, vibrant color, and incredible flavor to any festive table, always disappearing quickly!
Expert Tips for the Best Southern Green Beans
Achieving that perfect, soul-satisfying Southern Green Beans and Potatoes dish is all about a few key techniques and thoughtful ingredient choices. Follow these expert tips to elevate your cooking and ensure your dish is brimming with authentic Southern flavor:
- Embrace Fresh Green Beans: This tip is paramount and non-negotiable! Fresh green beans are absolutely essential for the best flavor and, more importantly, the desired crisp-tender texture in this dish. Please, for the love of good cooking, avoid canned beans at all costs for this recipe, as their mushy texture and often bland flavor will significantly detract from the dish. Look for beans that are firm, vibrant green, and snap crisply when bent. Thoroughly wash them and meticulously remove the tough stems and any fibrous strings.
- Uniform Potato Cuts: If you’re using larger new potatoes (such as larger baby reds or Yukon golds), it’s crucial to cut them into roughly 1.5 to 2-inch pieces. This ensures that all the potato pieces cook evenly and simultaneously with the green beans, preventing some from being undercooked while others turn mushy. Small baby potatoes can often be left whole for a rustic touch.
- Choose a Sweet Onion: For the most flavorful base, always opt for a sweet onion variety like Vidalia, Walla Walla, or a good quality standard yellow onion. These onions caramelize beautifully when sautéed, adding a subtle sweetness and a deep aromatic complexity that perfectly balances the savory bacon and rich broth.
- Manage the Bacon: While I personally prefer to leave the cooked bacon in the pot to simmer with the vegetables, allowing its smoky flavor to fully meld into the broth, you have a flexible option. For an extra delightful crunch, you can remove the browned bacon pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and then sprinkle them over the finished dish just before serving. This adds a wonderful textural contrast.
- Control Your Salt: I highly recommend using reduced-sodium chicken broth. This choice gives you complete control over the salt content in your dish, allowing you to season it perfectly to your taste throughout the cooking process. If you opt for regular chicken stock, you may need to significantly reduce or even entirely omit the initial salt addition, tasting frequently as it simmers to avoid over-salting.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Always use a large pot or Dutch oven that allows the ingredients to spread out comfortably in a single layer (or close to it). Overcrowding the pot can cause the vegetables to steam rather than simmer and braise in the flavorful liquid, leading to less concentrated flavors and potentially uneven cooking.
- Low and Slow for Deep Flavor: The true magic of this dish happens during the gentle, slow simmer. Cooking the green beans and potatoes slowly over low heat allows them to fully absorb the rich, smoky flavors of the bacon, the sweetness of the onions, the pungency of the garlic, and the savory depth of the broth, resulting in incredibly tender, deeply flavored vegetables.
- Taste and Adjust: This is perhaps the most important tip! Always taste your dish before serving. Flavors can develop, intensify, or mellow during cooking. Adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings (like a tiny dash of apple cider vinegar or a pinch of sugar to brighten flavors) as needed to reach your desired taste balance.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic Southern Green Beans and Potatoes recipe is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with these creative variations to suit your personal taste, dietary preferences, or to simply try something new:
- Make it Vegetarian or Vegan: Easily transform this hearty dish into a delicious plant-based option by omitting the bacon entirely. Instead, start by sautéing the onions and garlic in a tablespoon or two of high-quality olive oil. Substitute a rich vegetable broth for chicken broth, and for a touch of smoky flavor that bacon would normally provide, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika. This creates a robust and flavorful vegetarian or vegan alternative that doesn’t compromise on comfort.
- Explore Other Smoked Meats: If bacon isn’t your only love, or you want to try a different flavor profile, consider other smoked meats. Smoked ham hocks (cooked until they are falling off the bone), smoked turkey (wings, legs, or necks), or salt pork can all lend an incredible depth of savory, smoky flavor to the broth. Just be sure to cook them long enough to tenderize and fully release their unique flavors into the liquid.
- Add a Rich Butter Finish: For an extra layer of decadence and a truly rich mouthfeel, once the green beans and potatoes are perfectly fork tender, you can drain some of the chicken stock (if you prefer a less brothy dish) and then toss the cooked vegetables with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. The butter will melt beautifully into the hot vegetables, coating them in a rich, velvety sheen and significantly enhancing their overall flavor.
- Potato Power: While baby red potatoes or Yukon golds (often referred to as new potatoes) are highly recommended for their ability to hold their shape and their creamy texture, you can certainly experiment with other varieties. I have made this green beans and potatoes recipe with Russet potatoes as well, but be aware that Russets tend to break down more easily during simmering and can become a bit softer or grainier. Choose your potato type based on your desired final texture.
- Herb Infusion: Elevate the aromatic complexity of the dish by adding a few sprigs of fresh herbs. Sprigs of fresh thyme, a bay leaf, or a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley added along with the broth will gently infuse the dish with their earthy, fragrant notes during the slow simmering process.
- A Touch of Sweetness or Spice: A small pinch of sugar (just a quarter teaspoon or so) can sometimes enhance the natural sweetness of the onions and green beans, balancing the savory flavors. For those who enjoy a subtle kick, add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic – it provides warmth without overwhelming the dish.
- Tomato Twist: For a slightly different, tangy Southern take, some recipes incorporate a small can of diced tomatoes (drained) or a tablespoon of tomato paste. These additions introduce a hint of acidity and umami depth to the broth, adding another layer of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! For the best results and maximum flavor, I highly recommend sautéing the bacon, onions, and garlic in a pan first, which helps to build a rich flavor base. Then, transfer these aromatic ingredients to your slow cooker. Add the potatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker, then layer the green beans on top. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and black pepper, pour in the chicken broth, and give it a gentle stir to combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until both the potatoes and green beans are perfectly fork tender. The longer, slower cook time really allows the flavors to meld beautifully and develop.
To ensure your leftovers remain fresh and delicious, first allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it promptly in the refrigerator. When properly stored, it will maintain its freshness and robust flavor for up to 4 days.
For stovetop reheating, place the desired amount of leftovers in a covered saucepot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, and consider adding a splash of extra chicken stock or water if needed to prevent the dish from drying out, until it is thoroughly heated through. Alternatively, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave in a covered, microwave-safe dish, stirring halfway through, until warmed to your liking.
While technically possible, I personally do not recommend freezing this dish. The texture of the potatoes tends to change significantly after freezing and thawing, often becoming grainy, mealy, or mushy, which can greatly detract from the overall enjoyment of the dish. The green beans can also lose some of their pleasant crispness. For the best culinary experience, it’s best to enjoy this dish fresh or refrigerated within a few days.
Canned green beans are already pre-cooked and typically very soft, often packed in brine which can impart a distinct, sometimes metallic, flavor. Using them in this recipe would result in a mushy texture and a less vibrant, fresh taste. Fresh green beans, in contrast, retain their pleasant crisp-tender bite and are far more effective at absorbing the rich flavors of the bacon, onions, and savory broth, leading to a significantly superior and authentic Southern dish.
For the most robust flavor, optimal fat rendering, and satisfying texture, I highly recommend using a good quality thick-cut smoked bacon. Its substantial fat content renders beautifully to create a rich base for cooking, and the thicker pieces hold up well during the slow simmering process, offering a satisfying chew or a delightful crispness if removed and added back at the end.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
Looking for more delicious accompaniments to complete your meal? Explore these other easy-to-make side dish recipes that are sure to impress and complement a wide variety of main courses:
Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms
Oven Roasted Broccoli
Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
Are you on Pinterest? Click the button below to add this recipe to one of your boards!
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- 4 slices Bacon chopped
- 1 medium sweet onion diced (1 cup)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic minced
- 2 lbs. Fresh green beans washed, trimmed, and strings removed.
- 1 1/2 lbs Baby red potatoes if your potatoes are large, cut them in half
- 3 cups Reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the bacon. Once crispy, remove and set aside. Add the onions to the rendered bacon fat and saute until translucent (5-7 minutes). Add the fresh garlic and saute for about 60 seconds until fragrant.4 slices Bacon, 1 medium sweet onion, 1 teaspoon Garlic
- Add the green beans, potatoes, and chicken broth to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil.2 lbs. Fresh green beans, 3 cups Reduced sodium chicken broth, 1 tsp Kosher salt, 1 1/2 lbs Baby red potatoes, 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until potatoes and green beans are fork tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Return crispy bacon to the pot or sprinkle over individual servings.
Notes
Storing – Allow to cool completely, transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
And there you have it – a taste of the South that is both deeply satisfying and surprisingly simple to create. This Southern Green Beans and Potatoes recipe isn’t just food; it’s a cherished piece of culinary heritage, offering warmth, flavor, and comfort in every single forkful. Whether you’re gathering for a special occasion or simply looking for a wholesome, hearty meal to nourish your family on a weeknight, this dish unfailingly delivers. Its timeless appeal and versatile nature make it a perfect, must-have addition to any home cook’s repertoire, promising smiles around the table.
Don’t forget to share your experience with us! If you tried this recipe, experimented with any of the variations, or have your own tried-and-true Southern cooking tips, we’d absolutely love to hear from you in the comments section below. Your feedback and insights are always welcome and help our community grow. Happy cooking!