Homestyle Smothered Green Beans Recipe with Bacon (Print Version)

Smothered Green Beans Recipe, a comforting side dish with tender green beans, savory bacon, and a rich, flavorful sauce. Perfect for any meal!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Southern American
Dietary: Contains meat

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 6-8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced

→ Flavor Boosters

04 - 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 cups chicken broth (or stock)
06 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

→ Seasonings & Finishing

07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that bacon sizzling! Chop your thick-cut bacon into small pieces, about half-inch squares. Toss them into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Let it render slowly, stirring occasionally, until it's beautifully crispy. This is where all that amazing flavor starts, folks! I usually let mine get pretty dark; that bacon smell filling the kitchen is just the best.
02 - Once the bacon is nice and crisp, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the pot, leaving all that glorious bacon fat behind. Don't you dare pour it out! Now, toss in your diced yellow onion and cook it in the bacon fat until it's softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it's fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; I've done that, and it just makes everything taste bitter, oops!
03 - Alright, time for the star of our Smothered Green Beans Recipe! Add your fresh green beans to the pot. Stir them around, letting them get coated in that flavorful bacon fat and mingle with the onions and garlic. You want them to start to get a little bright green and slightly tender-crisp. This usually takes about 5 minutes, and honestly, the smell at this point is just heavenly.
04 - Now, pour in your chicken broth and the splash of apple cider vinegar. Give it a good stir, making sure everything is well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic really happens, as the green beans start to soak up all those incredible flavors. I always make sure the beans are mostly submerged.
05 - Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let those green beans smother! You'll want to cook them for about 20-30 minutes, or until they're fork-tender. How long depends on how tender you like your green beans. I like mine quite soft, so I usually go for the longer end. Stir occasionally, just to make sure nothing's sticking. This is the part where patience pays off!
06 - Once the green beans are tender, give them a taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember the bacon is salty! Stir in most of your crispy bacon bits, saving a few for garnish. Spoon out this delicious Smothered Green Beans Recipe into a serving dish, sprinkle with the remaining bacon bits, and get ready to enjoy. The final result should be tender, savory, and incredibly comforting, with a hint of tang from the vinegar. It's truly a dish that makes you smile.

# Notes:

01 - To get the best flavor, don't rush rendering the bacon – let it get nice and crispy!
02 - Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
03 - If you're out of apple cider vinegar, a small amount of lemon juice can add a similar brightness.
04 - For a truly Southern experience, serve these with cornbread and roasted chicken.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
02 - slotted spoon

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 220 Calories
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 10g
Protein: 10g

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