Tender green beans, baby potatoes, smoky bacon, and sweet onions are perfectly combined in this irresistibly classic southern side dish.
Southern Green Beans
It goes without saying we are a meat and potatoes kind of family. Adventurous eaters with tastebuds that favor the southwest, but put a classic, filling meal on the table and my crew of boys are ready to dive in
I served these Southern Green Beans and Potatoes along with our favorite Crispy Oven Baked Chicken. It was the perfect pairing, because the chicken finished cooking just as the potatoes were tender. The meal was a hit with my whole family.
When my friend Melissa (of Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen) told me she was writing a cookbook, I told her I wanted to be first on her list to review it. When I received my advance copy I couldn’t stop flipping through it and drooling over everything.
The cookbook, Melissa’s Southern Kitchen, was released a few years ago and you can find it here on Amazon or countless other retailers. I have loved cooking so many of the family recipes that she shared.
Whether you are looking for a full Sunday dinner or a casual weeknight supper, there is a recipe here for every occasion.
With recipes like Melissa’s unforgettable Buttermilk Fried Chicken, BLT Macaroni Salad, Pecan Praline Baked Brie, and so many others, I have had a lot of fun trying these recipes.
Green Beans with Bacon and Potatoes
- bacon
- onion
- whole green beans
- chicken stock
- granulated garlic or garlic powder
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- baby potatoes
- butter
Southern Green Beans Recipe
Kitchen Tip: I use this knife and this 9×13 baking dish to make this recipe.
- Cook the bacon and drain on a paper towel, reserving the bacon grease. Add the bacon grease to a dutch oven or large pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the onion to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
- Add the green beans, chicken stock, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Stir and cover. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, sprinkle the green beans with ½ teaspoon granulated garlic. Arrange the potatoes over the green beans. Dot with butter and sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper. Cover and continue simmering for 25-30 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Stir gently and transfer to a serving dish. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over the green beans and potatoes.
Southern Side Dishes
Side dishes are one of the best things about gathering with friends and family. I can in fact make an entire meal out of just sides. Speaking of which, I have quite a few favorites you need to check out.
Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots are caramelized carrots with slightly crisp edges in a garlic honey butter sauce. This vegetable side dish will steal the show on your plate.
Green Chile Queso Potatoes are smothered in a gooey green chile queso cheese sauce. The rich sauce makes them extra dreamy.
Sweet corn, crisp bell peppers, salty bacon, a splash of hot sauce, and lime are all tossed together in a simple sauce to make this Creamed Corn with Peppers and Bacon.
This Asparagus Skillet is a delightful combination of sweet potatoes, fresh corn, asparagus, and bacon with a drizzle of balsamic.
Southern Green Beans with Potatoes and Bacon
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon cooked (3-4 tablespoons grease reserved)
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 pounds whole green beans ends trimmed
- 1½ cups chicken stock
- 1½ teaspoons granulated garlic or garlic powder divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper divided
- 2 pounds baby potatoes halved
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Cook the bacon and drain on a paper towel, reserving the bacon grease. Add the bacon grease to a dutch oven or large pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the onion to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
- Add the green beans, chicken stock, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Stir and cover. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, sprinkle the green beans with ½ teaspoon granulated garlic. Arrange the potatoes over the green beans. Dot with butter and sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper. Cover and continue simmering for 25-30 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Stir gently and transfer to a serving dish. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over the green beans and potatoes. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 5/24/16 – recipe notes updated 10/14/22}
Melissa says
Mary, what a fabulous job you did on these green beans! Thank you so much for the review, I can't wait to see your book in the fall. ♥
Roxana | a trEATs affair says
That looks great!
Big Dude says
Looks delicious. Potatoes cooked with beans was a regular item on Mom's menu.
Anonymous says
my bad you, you did provide all the info, they turned out great
Anonymous says
you didn't say how many pounds of potatoes to use
J. Robbie says
Ok,
My Mother has made this recipe for years!
I wasn’t going to try your version of this recipe until I read your comment at the bottom of the page about making your bacon in the oven. I do the same thing! The bacon is so much crispier made this way. Seasoning the recipe with bacon fat is also a winning idea. I’ll try your recipe and get back to you on what I think. Sounds delish…
Krista says
Could I add the potatoes and beans at the same time? My husband likes the beans more crispy, not mushy.
Mary Younkin says
Sorry, Krista! I missed this question initially, but I’ll answer it for anyone interested in the future. Yes, you can add everything at once for a much crisper green bean.
Susan Ciannilli says
My mom used to make these potatoes and green beans exactly this way………loved them. Just so happens I picked a mess of them from my garden this morning and just happen to have baby red potatoes on hand. Will be making these with dinner tonight……thank you !!
Mary Younkin says
I love that you have memories of your mom making this recipe, Susan. It’s a classic for sure.
David Skulski says
II find it difficult to believe that anyone proofed this recipe. The idea of cooking the beans for 30 minutes and then putting the potatoes on top for a second cooking results in over-cooked beans and under-cooked potatoes. They should be mixed together after a 20 minute head-start of the beans, not as described in this recipe.
I keep making the mistake of not trusting my own intuition.
Mary Younkin says
Hey David, it doesn’t sound like you actually made this recipe. Two things, these are very small potatoes and they do cook quickly. And this is a low simmer method. That said, it’s a southern way of cooking the beans and they are more tender than I normally would cook them. As you can see from the photo though, nothing is mush or falling apart. I’ve personally made every recipe on this website and taken the photos as well. I wish you all the best.
Debbie says
I made this dish and it was fantastic!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the recipe, Debbie.
Sheila says
Awesome recipe! Turned out great and the hubby loved it!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad it was a hit, Sheila!
lhaghjasgd says
There’s nothing uniquely Southern about this dish. It’s made everywhere.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, southern or not.
Dina says
Has anyone made this recipe in the oven? If so, after frying the bacon did you put the beans and potatoes in together?
Mary Younkin says
I’ve done the bacon in the oven and then finished on the stove. But it would probably work nicely 100% in the oven.
Linda redmond says
Can I use store bought canned green beans?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, but I would change things up a bit and roast the potatoes first then add the green beans for just 5 minutes or so, enough to heat them since canned green beans are already cooked. You don’t want them to become complete mush if that makes sense.
Bjo1975 says
Great recipe. Reminded me of the same side dish my grandmas made when I was a kid, but sadly isn’t found hardly anywhere anymore. I made it tonight, and myself and hubby couldn’t stay out of it, and it’s only meant to be a side dish.
BJo1975 says
I might add that for this to be really great you need to use fresh green beans. Most grocery stores have those. Don’t try to use canned nasty green beans and make moderation’s that don’t do it justice and then comment that the original recipe was lack luster. Only thing I’d add is let it simmer for at least an hour to fully develop those flavors. Next day is always the best.
Mary Younkin says
Great tips! Fresh green beans are absolutely the way to go in this recipe.
Mary Younkin says
What wonderful memories. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Katherine Hunter says
Great taste but my green beans didn’t cook evenly. Next time I’ll use a wider pot. Also I didn’t transfer it to a separate dish. I didn’t feel the need to.
Joann says
I have been craving my mom’s fresh green beans with potatoes. I found your site. I’m actually making the dish now. I only had 10oz of green beans so I cut everything down. Maybe I miss calculated. I used 1/2 a cup of chicken stock. after 15 min. my stock was all evaporated and my pan burnt. I had my gas stove barely up. Just a nice soft simmer. I transferred everything to another pot added more broth and my potatoes etc.
Any advice?
I do ok with recipes but not claiming to be a cook by any stretch of means :). Really wanting this dish to turn out 🙂
Thank You!
Joann Billings
Mary Younkin says
Unfortunately, reducing the liquid by that much likely just wasn’t enough liquid for the pan. I would’ve done the same thing with a different pot and more broth.
pete Doanato says
Tasty Tasty Tasty. I was born in Kansas and my Grand Mother ( sweet woman ever ) would make this for me. Always a delight she was a wonderful hard-working woman from the flat plains, poor but rich in love and class. Too good to miss this dish it is all you need to put a smile on your face. Blessing
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that the green beans were able to bring back memories for you, Pete. Enjoy, and happy cooking!
Wendy says
I love love love this recipe, tastes like the way my mom used to make, thank you for the deliciousness!
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Wendy. I’m happy to hear that you’ve been loving the green beans.