Southern Style Green Beans

Southern Green Beans are slow-simmered fresh string beans with onion, garlic, and smoked meat. This classic down South recipe is perfect for holidays but easy enough for weeknight meals as well. If you like our Southern Collard Greens and Fried Green Tomatoes, you’re going to adore these Southern-style green beans!

Green beans are my go-to veggie for fast dinners. I usually keep a few cans in the pantry just in case. And while canned green beans are fine and dandy, nothing compares to slow-simmering fresh green beans just the way my grandma did.

Seriously, they are amazing.

Because this recipe takes a little patience and time, I like to make up a big batch of these southern-style string beans on the weekend to enjoy all week.

Why I love this recipe

This is a classic country-style recipe. The smoked meat infuses the green beans with the absolute best flavor. There are no fancy techniques or ingredients, just the basics and time, sweet time.

Ingredients

• green beans – look for bright green fresh beans at the store, they should be firm, not wilted, with no discoloration
• smoked turkey necks – I know, I know, it may seem a little odd if you haven’t cooked with them before but I promise they have the BEST flavor! If you can’t find smoked turkey necks look for smoked wings or drumsticks instead.
• turkey or chicken broth – turkey broth can be hard to find but chicken broth works just as well. I prefer low sodium so I can add salt to taste when finishing the recipe.
• yellow onion and garlic – these aromatics add depth of flavor to the beans as they cook.
• seasoning salt – I use Lawry’s but this is an optional extra

Step by step

1. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add turkey necks to the pot and sear on all sides, about 5 minutes.
3. Add onion and garlic to the pot and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
4. Add chicken broth to cover the turkey necks.

5. Bring to a low boil then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
6. Add green beans and stir. Add more broth if needed to cover the beans. Simmer for an additional hour.
7. Carefully remove necks to a separate dish. Allow to cool before removing bones and adding meat back to the pot.
8. Season to taste with seasoning salt if desired.

Serving suggestions

Serve these southern green beans with just about any main course such as slow cooker ham, baked chicken tenderloins, baked pork chops, or slow cooker pulled pork.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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