Slow-Simmered Southern Green Beans

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The George Washington Carver Museum

📍 Where this dish comes from: Tuskegee, Alabama · The George Washington Carver Museum
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Slow-Simmered Southern Green Beans, plated and ready to serve

These aren’t the crisp-tender green beans of a quick sauté — this is the long-simmered, fall-apart-tender version soul food kitchens have made for generations, where the beans soak up every bit of smoky bacon flavor.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Slow-Simmered Southern Green Beans

Slow-Simmered Southern Green Beans

Fresh green beans simmered slowly with bacon and onion until tender and deeply flavored.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 140kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs fresh green beans trimmed
  • 4 slices bacon chopped
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, leaving fat in the pot.
  • Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
  • Add green beans and broth, bringing to a simmer.
  • Cover and simmer 35–40 minutes, until beans are very tender.
  • Stir in cooked bacon, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 140kcal | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Fiber: 3g
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Cooking Slow-Simmered Southern Green Beans in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Green beans provide fiber and vitamin C with minimal carbohydrates.
  • A modest amount of bacon adds deep flavor without requiring large amounts of added fat.
  • A simple, traditional side that fits easily alongside any main dish in this book.
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