Tiffany Haney
Green beans are a tasty and nutritious side dish that can be prepared in a crock pot or slow cooker. This method is ideal for when you need to free up space on your stovetop or are preparing a large number of dishes, such as during the holidays. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans, and cook them for 4 to 5 hours on low heat or 3 to 4 hours on high heat. For a Southern-style recipe, you can add bacon, ham hocks, and onions, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic.
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What You'll Learn
Using frozen green beans
Firstly, you don't need to thaw frozen green beans before adding them to the crock pot. This is a great time-saving trick and means you can keep frozen beans on hand for when you need them. Simply add the frozen beans to the crock pot, facing the same direction, and tightly pack them in. This will help them cook evenly.
You can cook frozen green beans on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 1-2 hours. If you are around, stir the beans halfway through to readjust them. You'll know they're ready when they are a dark green colour. If you're adding other ingredients, such as bacon, onions, and garlic, it's best to sauté these first before adding them to the crock pot with the green beans.
You can also add seasonings, fresh herbs, or aromatics to your crock pot green beans. Try red pepper flakes, a squeeze of lemon, or dried basil, thyme, or parsley.
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$17.28 $23.04
Adding bacon
If you choose to cook the bacon first, cut it into small, bite-sized pieces and cook them in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. You can do this step ahead of time and store the bacon in the fridge until you're ready to cook the green beans. Remove the bacon from the pan, but reserve the bacon grease. You can then add onions and garlic to the bacon grease and cook until translucent and aromatic.
If you're using fresh green beans, wash and drain them, then trim off the ends. You can also cut the beans into smaller pieces if you prefer. If you're using canned green beans, make sure they are unseasoned. You can use any cut or style of canned green beans, and you can also use frozen green beans.
Arrange the green beans in an even layer across the crock pot and sprinkle the bacon over the beans. You can also add butter, salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and chicken broth to the mix. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beans are tender. You can also add potatoes, although these are not necessary. If you do add potatoes, it's best to use small potatoes and add them at the same time as the green beans.
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Using chicken broth
First, gather your ingredients. You will need fresh green beans, onion, garlic, chicken broth, and salt. You can also add bacon, as many recipes suggest, for extra flavor. If you want to add bacon, you will need to cook it before adding it to the crock pot. You can also add other meats such as ham, sausage, or smoked turkey.
Next, prepare your vegetables. Chop your onion and garlic, and trim and rinse your green beans. If you are adding bacon, you will need to cook it before adding it to the crock pot. You can also choose to sauté your onion and garlic in butter or olive oil before adding them to the crock pot for extra flavor.
Now, assemble your crock pot. Place your green beans in the crock pot, ensuring they are facing the same direction so they cook evenly. Add your onion and garlic, and then pour in your chicken broth. You may also add water to the crock pot to ensure the beans are mostly covered with liquid. Add salt and pepper to taste, and any other seasonings you wish to include, such as red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or lemon pepper seasoning.
Finally, cook your green beans. You can cook them on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, depending on your desired tenderness. Stir the beans occasionally during this time. Once they are fully cooked, drain the liquid and serve.
You can also choose to make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the bacon and swapping chicken broth for vegetable broth or water.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for green beans in a crock pot varies depending on the type of green beans used and the desired texture. Here is a breakdown of the cooking times for different types of green beans:
Frozen Green Beans
Frozen green beans can be cooked directly in the crock pot without thawing them first. The cooking time for frozen green beans is about 3.5 hours on a high setting. However, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the desired texture. Some people prefer their green beans to be firmer, while others may like them softer.
Fresh Green Beans
Fresh green beans typically take longer to cook than frozen ones. The cooking time for fresh green beans in a crock pot is generally around 4 to 5 hours on a low setting. This allows the beans to cook slowly and become tender.
Canned Green Beans
Canned green beans are already cooked and soft, so they require significantly less cooking time in the crock pot. Some people choose to simply warm up canned green beans in the crock pot, while others cook them for a longer period, such as 10 hours, along with other ingredients like bacon.
Factors Affecting Cooking Time
It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your crock pot, as well as the amount of green beans being cooked. Additionally, if you are adding other ingredients to your green beans, such as potatoes or bacon, the cooking time may need to be adjusted accordingly.
In summary, the cooking time for green beans in a crock pot ranges from a few hours to up to 10 hours, depending on the type of green beans and the desired texture. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your crock pot and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure your green beans are cooked to your liking.
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Serving suggestions
Slow cooker green beans are a great side dish for any meal, from weeknight dinners to special occasions. They go well with almost anything, especially when cooked with bacon.
For a tasty side dish, serve your crockpot green beans with mashed potatoes, cornbread, mac and cheese, or traditional Thanksgiving dinner dishes. They also pair well with grilled chicken, pulled pork, beef sausage, pork chops, or steak.
You can also add potatoes to the crockpot with your green beans, or serve them alongside baked chicken breasts and a simple tossed salad for a healthy and easy dinner.
For a more indulgent option, try serving your crockpot green beans with Copycat Honey Baked Ham, Colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale and green onions), or 5 Cup Salad.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need green beans, onion, garlic, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. You can also add bacon, ham hocks, and potatoes.
Cooking times vary depending on the desired texture. For crisp beans, cook on high heat for 2-3 hours. For tender beans, cook on low heat for 4-5 hours. If you are using frozen green beans, cook for about 3.5 hours on high heat.
Yes, you can use canned or frozen green beans. If using canned beans, use at least three cans and drain the water first. If using frozen beans, you do not need to thaw them before adding them to the crock pot.
