Tiffany Haney
Slow-cooked green beans are a staple of soul food and black culture, with a history that dates back to enslaved Africans who simmered greens and beans in a nourishing broth. This dish is a perfect side for any occasion, from a summer cookout to a holiday dinner. The best part? It's easy to make and can be prepared in a crock pot, leaving you free to focus on the rest of the meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Beans | Fresh, canned, or frozen |
| Cook Time | 4-10 hours |
| Ingredients | Green beans, bacon, onion, garlic, ham hocks, potatoes, salt, pepper, chicken stock/broth, water, butter, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar |
| Equipment | Crockpot/slow cooker, skillet |
| Serving | 24 |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time: 4-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat
Slow-cooked green beans are a staple of Southern cooking and soul food. They are easy to make and can be left to simmer away in a crock pot for hours.
To cook Southern green beans in a crock pot for 4-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat, you will need:
- Fresh green beans
- Bacon
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken stock or broth, or water with a good chicken base
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Brown sugar (optional)
- Butter (optional)
First, trim and snap the green beans in half or into thirds. Rinse them well. Cut the bacon into small pieces. In a medium skillet, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until they are tender, which should take about 5 minutes. You can also add the bacon to the skillet and cook it until it is crispy, removing it with a spoon and setting it aside when it is done.
Next, add the sautéed onion, garlic, and bacon (if using) to the crock pot, along with the green beans, chicken stock or broth, and any other desired ingredients such as butter and brown sugar. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The beans are done when they are tender.
Note that if you are using frozen green beans, you do not need to thaw them first. Simply add them directly to the crock pot. If you prefer your beans to be slightly crispy, check on them after 3 hours of cooking on low heat.
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Use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans
You can use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans to make southern green beans in a crock pot. Here is how you can prepare them:
Fresh Green Beans
To prepare fresh green beans, trim and snap the green beans in half or thirds and rinse them well. You can also use French cut beans, which may cook a little faster. If you like your beans to be on the firmer side, you might want to check for doneness around the 3-hour mark. Fresh green beans are preferred by some as they are believed to be more flavourful and have a better texture than frozen or canned beans.
Frozen Green Beans
If you are using frozen green beans, you do not need to thaw them first. Simply add them directly to the slow cooker. However, some people find that frozen green beans can become mushy and their texture is compromised from being frozen.
Canned Green Beans
Canned green beans are a convenient option as they are already pre-cooked. Simply open the can and add the beans to the crock pot. If you are using canned beans, be aware that they are already soft, so you may not want to cook them for as long to avoid overcooking them.
No matter which type of green bean you choose, you can follow the same recipe for southern green beans. Simply add your desired amount of beans to the crock pot, along with other ingredients such as bacon, onion, garlic, and seasonings, and let it cook for several hours until the beans are tender.
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Add bacon for flavour
Adding bacon to your southern green beans will give them a delicious, savoury flavour. You can use raw bacon, but some people prefer to cook it first to remove some of the grease. Cut the bacon into small pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. You can then add the onions to the bacon grease and cook until they are translucent.
If you want to add extra bacon flavour, you can use the bacon grease as the base of your green beans. Place the bacon grease, green beans, chicken broth, onion, salt, and pepper in the crockpot. You can also add garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes for even more flavour. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or high heat for 3 to 4 hours, or until the beans reach your desired level of tenderness.
If you are using raw bacon, simply add the bacon pieces to the crockpot with the other ingredients and cook until tender. You can also try using canned, cooked bacon bits, which will add a crispy texture to your green beans.
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Use a 6-quart slow cooker
To make southern green beans in a 6-quart slow cooker, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Fresh green beans
- Chicken stock or broth, or water with a good chicken base
- Fatback, salt pork, or bacon
- Onion
- Red potatoes
- Black pepper, Cajun or Creole seasoning, and salt to taste
- Smoked ham hocks (optional)
Start by trimming and snapping the green beans in half or thirds, and rinsing them well. You can also use frozen green beans, but avoid canned green beans as they are already soft and will turn mushy. If you want to include bacon, cook it in a skillet until crispy, then set it aside, reserving the bacon grease. Add the onions to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
Next, spray your 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the green beans, chicken stock or broth, water, bacon, onions, potatoes, and seasonings into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the beans are tender. If using ham hocks, cook until the meat pulls easily off the bone.
A splash of vinegar at the end can brighten up the flavor. These southern green beans are perfect for feeding a crowd and can be served as a side dish for holidays, potlucks, or any large gathering.
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Add potatoes to make it a more filling dish
To make a more filling version of Southern green beans in a crock pot, consider adding potatoes to the mix. Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates and will help make the dish more satisfying.
When adding potatoes to your crock pot, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your crock pot is large enough to accommodate the potatoes. You may need to cut the potatoes into smaller pieces to ensure they fit comfortably. Second, it's important to wash the potatoes thoroughly before adding them to the crock pot. This will help remove any dirt or impurities.
You can add potatoes to your crock pot with the green beans at the same time if the potatoes are small enough. This will simplify the cooking process and ensure that all the ingredients cook evenly. However, if your potatoes are larger, you may need to adjust the cooking time to avoid overcooking the green beans.
To prepare the potatoes, simply scrub them clean and cut them into 1-inch chunks. You can leave the skin on or peel it off, depending on your preference. Then, toss the potatoes with olive oil and your desired seasonings. Some suggested seasonings include onion powder, garlic, dill, and sea salt, or rosemary and thyme.
Place the seasoned potatoes in the crock pot and cook them according to your desired doneness. On high, they will take around 2 to 3 hours, and on low, they will take around 4 to 6 hours. It's a good idea to stir the potatoes every hour to promote even cooking and prevent the seasonings from burning.
By adding potatoes to your Southern green beans, you'll create a heartier and more filling dish that's perfect for a crowd or a potluck. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need green beans, bacon, and pepper. Some recipes also include onion, garlic, brown sugar, butter, salt, chicken stock or broth, potatoes, and Cajun or Creole seasoning.
Depending on your desired texture, cook the green beans for 4-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat. If you prefer your beans on the firmer side, 3.5 hours on high heat should be sufficient. For a longer cook, try 8-10 hours on low heat or 6-8 hours on high heat.
Yes, you can use frozen or canned green beans. Frozen green beans do not need to be thawed before adding them to the crock pot. If using canned green beans, avoid overcooking by reducing the cooking time.
