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If you need an easy side dish that works for both weeknight dinners and holiday tables, these slow cooker green beans are a good one to keep on hand. They come together with simple ingredients and let the slow cooker do most of the work. This has been one of those recipes I have made for years, and it is still one my family is always happy to see on the table.
Recipes like this make mealtime feel a little easier. You can prep everything ahead, let it cook while you finish the rest of the meal, and know you will have a warm, flavorful side dish ready when everyone sits down to eat.
What Makes these Crock Pot Green Beans Recipe Amazing
These green beans are the kind of side dish that proves simple really can be delicious. They are easy to prep, full of savory flavor, and always a welcome addition to the dinner table.
- Keeps your stovetop and oven free, which makes this recipe perfect for busy days and holiday meals.
- Easy to make with pantry-friendly ingredients and very little hands-on time.
- My husband says they are out-of-this-world delicious: the bacon, onion, and garlic give the green beans a rich, savory flavor.
- You can use canned or fresh green beans, or make it with what you already have.
- This is a dependable make-ahead side dish that stays warm and ready to serve when you need it.
Ingredient Notes
- Cut green beans: You can use four 14.5-ounce cans of cut green beans, undrained, or 2 pounds of fresh green beans. If using fresh green beans, you will need more broth so they have enough liquid to cook properly.
- Bacon: Thick-cut bacon gives the best flavor here and adds a hearty, smoky taste. Cook it until crisp, but do not let it burn.
- Yellow onion: Diced yellow onion adds sweetness and depth to the dish. It cooks with the bacon and softens nicely before going into the slow cooker.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the beans a nice savory flavor. A couple of cloves is plenty, but you can adjust a little to taste.
- Garlic powder: This is optional, but it adds another layer of garlic flavor. It works especially well alongside the fresh garlic.
- Onion powder: Also optional, but helpful if you want to boost the savory onion flavor a bit more. Using both fresh and dried onion gives the dish a fuller flavor.
- Seasoned salt: This adds seasoning quickly and simply. If your broth is salty, start lighter and adjust to taste later if needed.
- Black pepper: A little black pepper balances the richness of the bacon and butter. You can add more at the end if you like.
- Red pepper flakes: These are optional, but they add a little gentle heat. Leave them out if you want a milder dish.
- Brown sugar: Just a teaspoon helps round out the savory flavors. It does not make the beans sweet, but it adds balance.
- Chicken stock or broth: Use 1 cup for canned green beans or 2 cups for fresh green beans. This helps keep everything moist and flavorful while it cooks. If you want them less pot liquir you can drain 2 of the cans of green beans
- Butter: Sliced butter melts over the top and adds richness to the finished dish. Salted butter works well in this recipe, but you can use unsalted if you’d like less.
How To Make Crock Pot Green Beans
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5 to 7 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your bacon.
Step 2 | Sauté the Onion and Garlic
When the bacon is almost done, add the diced onion and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, then set aside.
Step 3 | Add the Green Beans
Place the green beans in the slow cooker. If you are using canned green beans, add them with their liquid.
Step 4 | Season the Beans
Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar.
This gives the beans flavor all the way through as they cook.
Step 5 | Add the Bacon Mixture
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon, onion, and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
Add about 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings, too, if you like.
Step 6 | Pour in the Broth and Stir
Pour in the chicken broth or stock and stir everything together.
Step 7 | Add Butter & Slow Cook
Lay the butter slices over the top of the green beans.
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Stir once or twice during cooking if you are able.
Step 8 | Serve
Once the beans are tender and flavorful, give them a stir and serve warm.
They pair especially well with pork chops and mashed potatoes.
Easy Variations
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper, savory flavor.
- A little soy sauce can also add extra richness and saltiness.
- Use fresh green beans when you want a more traditional slow-cooked texture.
- Leave out the red pepper flakes if you want the dish completely mild.
Gluten-Free Crock Pot Green Beans
To make these Crock Pot Green Beans gluten-free, use a gluten-free chicken broth and check that your seasoned salt, bacon, and any optional add-ins like Worcestershire sauce are labeled gluten-free. The green beans, onion, garlic, butter, and basic seasonings are typically gluten-free, but it is always worth checking labels to be safe.
This is an easy recipe to keep gluten-free since there are no flour-based ingredients or thickeners in the dish. Once you swap in certified gluten-free products where needed, you can make the recipe just as written.
Expert Tips For the Most Flavorful Green Beans in the Slow Cooker
- Cook the bacon until crisp, so it holds up well in the slow cooker.
- I recommend sautéing the onion and garlic first because it gives the dish much better flavor. But you can opt to put them in raw.
- If using fresh green beans, be sure to use 2 cups of broth, so they have enough liquid.
- For even more flavor, use the optional garlic powder and onion powder along with the fresh onion and garlic.
- Stir once or twice during cooking if you can, so the flavors distribute well.
What to Serve With Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans
Serve these with southern fried pork chops and mashed potatoes for a comforting family dinner.
They fit right in on a holiday table with turkey, country ham, or roast beef.
Add them to a Sunday supper with oven-fried chicken and cornbread.
Pair them with meatloaf and mac and cheese for an easy comfort food meal.
These are also a good side dish for potlucks and family gatherings since they stay warm in the slow cooker.
Finish the meal with a simple dessert like banana pudding or pecan chewy cake when you want an easy, crowd-pleasing menu.
Storage, Make-ahead
Storage: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. They reheat well on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Make Ahead: You can cook the bacon, onion, and garlic ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to assemble. You can also add everything to the slow cooker insert earlier in the day, then start cooking when needed.
Freezing: You can freeze leftovers, though the texture of the green beans may be softer after thawing. Let them cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Recipe FAQs
Check them toward the shorter end of the cooking time, especially if using canned green beans. Slow cookers can vary a bit.
Yes, you can use 2 pounds of fresh green beans. Just increase the broth to 2 cups so they cook up tender
Yes, you can use frozen green beans in this recipe. They are a nice middle ground between canned and fresh, and they hold their texture well in the slow cooker. Use about 2 pounds of frozen green beans and add 1½ to 2 cups of chicken broth. There is no need to thaw them first.
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Crock Pot Green Beans Recipe
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Ingredients
- 58 ounces canned cut green beans - (I use 4 – 14.5-ounce Del Monte) undrained or 2 pounds fresh green beans
- 5-6 slices thick cut bacon - chopped – I use 5
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon garlic powder - optional see note*
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon onion powder - optional see note*
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes - optional
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 cup chicken stock or broth - or 2 cups if using fresh green beans
- 3 tablespoons butter - cut into slices – I use salted
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crispy, 5-7 minutes. (time will vary based on the thickness of bacon- a nice crisp bacon, but not burned.)
- Add the onion when the bacon is almost fully cooked. Continue to cook the onion until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Set aside.
- Add the green beans to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and brown sugar.
- Remove the bacon, onion and garlic from the skillet with a slotted spoon into the slow cooker with the green beans. I like to add about 1 tablespoon of bacon green to the slow cooker.
- Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine.
- Add slices of butter on top of the green beans.
- Place on the lid and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Stirring once or twice during cooking time if possible.
- Serve and Enjoy
- This goes wonderfully with my southern fried pork chops and mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Cook the bacon until crisp, so it holds up well in the slow cooker.
- I recommend sautéing the onion and garlic first because it gives the dish much better flavor. But you can opt to put them in raw.
- If using fresh green beans, be sure to use 2 cups of broth, so they have enough liquid.
- For even more flavor, use the optional garlic powder and onion powder along with the fresh onion and garlic.
- Stir once or twice during cooking if you can, so the flavors distribute well.
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