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Southern Green Beans with Bacon

Southern green beans with bacon simmer in chicken broth until the beans are very tender and soak up the smoky bacon flavor. Cooked in a 5-quart Dutch oven, this comforting side dish starts with browned bacon and softened onion.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 54 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 4 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 95
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bacon slices, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion medium, diced
  • 1.5 lb fresh green beans trimmed and snapped into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • 1 5-quart Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. In a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and the fat has rendered.
  2. Transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the drippings in the pot.
  3. Add the diced onion to the pot and cook over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
  4. Stir in the green beans, chicken broth, kosher salt, black pepper, and cooked bacon.
  5. Bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
  6. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 35–45 minutes, until the beans are very tender; check occasionally and add a splash of water if the pot looks dry.

Notes

For the most flavorful beans, leave the rendered bacon drippings in the Dutch oven. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days; freeze for up to 2 months. For a pork-free variation, use turkey bacon.