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–+ servings
Cooked southern green beans in a crock pot.
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Crock Pot Green Beans Recipe

These Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans are tender green beans cooked low and slow with bacon, onion, garlic, butter, and simple seasonings. They are easy to prep, full of savory flavor, and a great make-ahead side dish for Sunday dinner, holiday meals, or any time you need a hands-off vegetable.
Author: Nikki Lee
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 12 minutes

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

Gluten-Free Green Beans: To keep this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free chicken broth and check labels on the bacon, seasoned salt, and seasonings. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so with a few simple label checks, this recipe is gluten-free.
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.
Pro Tips:
  • 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 214 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18 g | Protein: 8 g | Fat: 14 g | Saturated Fat: 6 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 0.2 g | Cholesterol: 27 mg | Sodium: 385 mg | Potassium: 534 mg | Fiber: 6 g | Sugar: 8 g | Vitamin A: 1578 IU | Vitamin C: 26 mg | Calcium: 85 mg | Iron: 2 mg

Find it online:

www.soulfullymade.com/crock-pot-green-beans/