Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

This Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe is hands down one of my favorite ways to prepare green beans. The bacon brings a deep, flavorful umami richness, and the brown sugar rounds it out with a subtle touch of sweetness. The beans turn out tender and flavorful, making them one of the most perfect sides I can pair with just about anything.

Easy Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe

Southern green beans have always been a favorite of mine since I was a child, and over the years they have become an iconic dish. A version of my slow-cooked beans even appeared on the menu at a Nashville restaurant. This recipe always takes me back to my Southern roots and is so comforting. It’s perfect for vacations, potlucks, or even a weekday dinner at home.

This slow cooker version is hands down one of my favorite ways to prepare these beans. The bacon adds flavorful depth and the brown sugar rounds it all out with a touch of sweetness. The beans remain tender but not mushy, making them one of the most perfect side dishes in my humble opinion. Try it at your next gathering and see why it’s become such a hit at my table!

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Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

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Tender and flavorful with a rich, savory flavor and a hint of sweetness, these Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans pair well with any meal.

Course Side dish

Kitchen South

Total cost $9.08 Recipe / $1.13 Serving

Preparation time 20 minutes minutes

Cooking time 3 hours hours

Total duration 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 140kilocalories

Author Jennie Allée

Equipment

• Medium pan
• Slow cooker

Ingredients

• 4 ounces. bacon cubed, $1.41
• 2 cups yellow onion 230g, diced, $0.78
• 1 tablespoon garlic chopped, $0.24
• 2 books whole green beans fresh or frozen, trimmed and threaded but left whole, $6.18*
• 2 cups chicken broth $0.24**
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar $0.06
• 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar divided, $0.02
• ½ teaspoon salt $0.04
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked, $0.04
• 1 tablespoon butter $0.11

Instructions

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until fat is rendered and pieces begin to crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Add the onion and garlic to the pan with the bacon and cook until soft and golden, about 5 minutes.
• Move the bacon, onions, garlic and cooking juices to the slow cooker. Arrange the whole green beans on top. Pour in the chicken broth, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cider vinegar, salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat.
• Slow cooking for:

  Fresh whole green beans: HIGH 2.5 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 5 hours.

  Frozen whole green beans: HIGH 2 hours or LOW 3 to 4 hours.

• Stir gently halfway through cooking. The beans should be tender but still hold their shape.
• Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Stir in the butter and remaining teaspoon of apple cider vinegar for extra shine. Serve with the bacon and onion mixture spooned over the beans.

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Remarks

*Fresh French green beans (haricots vert) work best in the slow cooker because they are usually cordless and cook evenly. If you are using regular green beans, it is essential to trim and string them. avoid hard ropes.

**We use Better than broth and base chicken broth prices on that.

Nutrition

Portion: 1cup | Calories: 140kilocalories | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 478mg | Fiber: 4g

how to make southern slow cooker green beans, step by step photos

Gather the ingredients.

Cook the bacon: Cook 4 oz. bacon in a skillet over medium heat until the fat is rendered and the pieces begin to crisp. This usually takes me about 5 minutes.

Add the onion and garlic: Stir in 2 cups diced onion and 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook until soft, golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Add the green beans and cook: Transfer the bacon, onions, garlic and cooking juices to the slow cooker. Diaper 2 lbs. whole green beans on top. Pour 2 cups of chicken broth over the beans and add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir gently to coat the beans.

Cook whole fresh green beans: HIGH 2.5 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 5 hours. Cook frozen whole green beans: HIGH 2 hours or LOW 3 to 4 hours.

Stir gently halfway through cooking. The beans should be tender but still hold their shape.

Taste and adjust: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter and remaining 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar for extra shine.

Serve: Serve with the bacon and onion mixture spooned over the beans.

How to store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a little broth or water if necessary to prevent the beans from drying out.

These beans can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly on the stovetop.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Green Beans

I love serving these green beans hot with the bacon and onion mixture spooned on top for maximum flavor. For a true Southern-inspired meal, I find they pair well with roasted chicken thighs, our easy homemade cornbread, and buttery Instant Pot mashed potatoes. However, I’ve been known to serve these green beans with anything from sweet and savory apple butter pork chops to grilled sirloin fillets.

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