SOUTHERN STYLE BABY POTATOES AND GREEN BEAN RECIPE

This smoky and flavorful southern style baby potatoes and green bean recipe combines canned green beans with baby potatoes, bacon, chicken broth and seasonings. It will transport you straight to a Southern Granny’s kitchen, which is arguably the most delicious place on earth. 

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 SOUTHERN STYLE BABY POTATOES AND GREEN BEAN RECIPE

Growing up in Eastern Kentucky, my Appalachian family took a LOT of pride in canning their own vegetables. Green beans were always a favorite and breaking and canning beans was a family affair. 

As far as I was concerned the ONLY way to serve green beans was with potatoes, onions, and bacon, cooked for a LONG time to make them extra soft.

The first time I tried sauteed green beans, I was absolutely disgusted. And while I grew to like those too, I still think it’s hard to beat traditional southern style potatoes and green beans. 

This recipe takes me straight back to my granny’s kitchen. Tender green beans with baby (or red) potatoes cooked in savory chicken broth with sauteed onions, bacon, and garlic? DELISH! 

WHY THIS BABY POTATOES AND GREEN BEAN RECIPE WORKS 

Minimal ingredients: Only a few simple ingredients combine to create a flavorful and filling side dish that’s perfect with a number of different mains.

Easy Side Dish: This side dish is SO easy. Chop an onion, mince some garlic, fry up some bacon then cook it all on low heat until done. 

Reheats Well: I love making a huge batch of this recipe to eat throughout the week. Perfect for busy nights!

Uses Pantry and Refrigerator Staples: Every ingredient in this recipe is something that’s almost always stocked in my kitchen. Canned green beans are such an easy side prepared in a number of different ways. We nearly always have some sort of potatoes on hand and you can use whatever you have in this recipe, although baby potatoes are our fave!

Hearty: This is a side dish that is SO filling that you could honestly skip the main altogether. 

INGREDIENTS IN SOUTHERN STYLE GREEN BEANS AND POTATOES:

Canned Green Beans: Green beans canned from the garden are the best here but store-bought will do! Allen’s Italian Style Green Beans (the unseasoned version) are the closest flavor to home grown (and home canned) green beans in my opinion. I’ve recently gotten into canning my own fruits and veggies, and if you’ve considered it… this electric pressure (and water bath) canner makes the process pretty simple!

Onion: Diced onion sauteed in bacon grease creates a great flavor for the dish. 

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is ideal but jarred garlic or even garlic powder works in a pinch! 

Bacon: Salty and smoky, bacon adds GREAT flavor to this dish. 

Chicken Broth: I actually don’t think my grandmas used chicken broth when I was growing up, but I add it now for extra flavor. Feel free to cook your beans in water instead if desired.

Seasonings to Taste: I keep it simple with salt and pepper but some folks like to add a bit of crushed red pepper for heat. Feel free to toss in some garlic powder and onion power too as a supplement to the fresh garlic and onions.

HOW TO COOK SOUTHERN STYLE GREEN BEANS WITH POTATOES:

1. Chop bacon into 1” pieces.
2. Chop onions and garlic. 
3. Wash potatoes and dice into quarters or halves if desired.
4. Add bacon to a dutch oven over medium heat and cook until crispy, approximately 7-10 minutes.
5. Remove cooked bacon from the dutch oven using a slotted spoon, leaving bacon grease.
6. Add onion to the bacon grease and saute until translucent, approximately three minutes. 
7. Add garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.
8. Meanwhile, open canned green beans and drain.
9. Once onion and garlic is translucent, add green beans, bacon, potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
10. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium low and cook for 30 minutes.

What To Eat With Potatoes and Green Beans

These green beans with baby potatoes are SUCH a versatile side and go great with any southern inspired main dish. They’re great with ham, meatloaf, fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, and nearly any other protein dish you can think of. 

STORAGE FOR POTATOES AND GREEN BEAN RECIPE

These can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, if they don’t get eaten before then!

FAQ

How do you season canned green beans?

Canned green beans are super versatile. Salt, pepper, garlic, sauteed onions, and bacon are a great way to turn canned green beans into a southern style delicacy!

Are green beans keto?

Green beans themselves are keto at around two net carbs per ½ cup serving; however, the potatoes in this recipe are not keto friendly. You can omit the potatoes from this recipe for a keto green beans recipe; however, you will need to adjust cooking time accordingly.

How long do green beans last in the fridge?

This green beans recipe will last 3-5 days in the fridge. 

How can I make these southern green beans vegetarian? 

Simply omit the bacon and bacon grease from this recipe and substitute for a light flavored oil of your choice, like avocado oil. You can add liquid smoke for a bit of the smoky taste you’re missing from the bacon or use a vegetarian bacon or sausage substitute. 

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