Can I use canned or frozen green beans instead of fresh?

You can, though the texture will be different. If using frozen, there's no need to thaw them first. For canned beans, reduce the cooking time by half and decrease the salt significantly since canned beans already contain sodium. Fresh beans will always give you the best flavor and texture for this particular recipe.

Why are my beans still tough after cooking?

Very fresh beans sometimes take longer to soften. If your beans are still too firm after the recommended cooking time, continue cooking and check every 30 minutes. Also, certain minerals in hard water can prevent beans from softening properly. In this case, try using filtered water to make your broth.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! Add all ingredients to your Instant Pot, seal, and cook on high pressure for about 8 minutes for tender-crisp beans or 12 minutes for more traditional Southern soft beans. Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The core ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check your chicken broth and bacon packaging to ensure they don't contain hidden gluten or were processed in facilities with gluten.

Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe

Name: Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 2 lbs fresh green beans (washed and trimmed); 2 cups chicken broth; 1 (2.8-ounce) package real bacon pieces (about 3/4 cup if making your own); 1/2 yellow onion (sliced); 3 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

These Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans transform humble green beans into a savory, tender side dish that tastes like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen. The beans slowly simmer with smoky bacon and aromatic onions until they reach that perfect melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that’s the hallmark of true Southern cooking. This hands-off recipe lets your slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day, making it perfect for busy weeknights or weekend family gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Preparation: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and walk away – dinner practically makes itself!
Deep, Rich Flavor: The slow cooking process allows the beans to absorb all the smoky, savory flavors of bacon and broth, creating depth you simply can’t get with quick-cooking methods.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Start these in the morning and they’ll be ready when you are, making meal planning a breeze.
Family-Approved: Even vegetable skeptics tend to love these beans because of their incredible flavor and tender texture.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Fresh Green Beans: The star of the show! Fresh beans will give you the best texture and flavor, though you’ll need to trim the ends.
Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful cooking liquid that infuses the beans. It adds a savory depth that water simply can’t match.
Bacon Pieces: Provides that unmistakable smoky flavor that makes Southern green beans irresistible. Using pre-cooked bacon pieces saves time, but freshly cooked and crumbled bacon works wonderfully too.
Yellow Onion: Adds a sweet aromatic base that mellows and becomes almost buttery as it slow cooks with the beans.
Kosher Salt: Essential for bringing out all the flavors in the dish. The coarser texture of kosher salt distributes more evenly throughout the cooking process.
Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and complexity that complements the smokiness of the bacon.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Spicy Southern Beans

Add a diced jalapeño or 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a pleasant kick that balances the richness.

Ham Hock Version

Replace the bacon with a smoked ham hock for an even more traditional Southern approach. The meat will fall off the bone during cooking.

Vegetarian Adaptation

Skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken. Add 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to maintain that smoky depth.

Garlic Lover’s Beans

Add 3-4 cloves of minced garlic for an extra layer of flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.

How to Make Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans

Step 1: Prepare Your Slow Cooker

Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 2: Add Ingredients

Place the washed and trimmed green beans in the slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, sliced onion, salt, pepper, and about half of the bacon pieces. Stir gently to combine everything.

Step 3: Set and Forget

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The cooking time depends on how tender you prefer your beans – longer cooking will give you more traditional, softer Southern-style beans.

Step 4: Stir Occasionally

If you’re around, give the beans a gentle stir once or twice during cooking to ensure even flavor distribution and cooking.

Step 5: Serve

Once the beans have reached your desired tenderness, transfer them to a serving dish and top with the remaining bacon pieces for a fresh, smoky garnish.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Bean Selection: Look for fresh beans that snap when broken – they’ll give you the best texture.
Don’t Skip the Trimming: Taking time to trim both ends of each bean makes a big difference in the final dish.
Bacon Technique: If making your own bacon pieces, cook them until just crispy before adding to the slow cooker. Reserve the prettier pieces for garnish.
Taste Before Serving: Green beans can sometimes need an extra pinch of salt at the end, depending on the saltiness of your broth and bacon.
Steam Release: Position the slow cooker lid slightly ajar during the last 30 minutes if you find there’s too much liquid remaining.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

These Southern green beans are the ideal sidekick to classic comfort foods like fried chicken, meatloaf, pork chops, or a Sunday pot roast.

Holiday Worthy

Add these to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu for a side dish that can simmer quietly while you focus on other preparations.

Potluck Star

Their ability to stay warm in the slow cooker makes these beans perfect for potlucks and gatherings.

Simple Supper

For a lighter meal, serve a generous portion of these beans alongside cornbread and a simple salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor often improves overnight as the beans continue to absorb the savory broth.

Freezing

These beans freeze beautifully! Portion them into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to revive the sauce. Alternatively, microwave covered beans in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use canned or frozen green beans instead of fresh?

You can, though the texture will be different. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them first. For canned beans, reduce the cooking time by half and decrease the salt significantly since canned beans already contain sodium. Fresh beans will always give you the best flavor and texture for this particular recipe.
Why are my beans still tough after cooking?

Very fresh beans sometimes take longer to soften. If your beans are still too firm after the recommended cooking time, continue cooking and check every 30 minutes. Also, certain minerals in hard water can prevent beans from softening properly. In this case, try using filtered water to make your broth.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! Add all ingredients to your Instant Pot, seal, and cook on high pressure for about 8 minutes for tender-crisp beans or 12 minutes for more traditional Southern soft beans. Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

The core ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check your chicken broth and bacon packaging to ensure they don’t contain hidden gluten or were processed in facilities with gluten.

Final Thoughts

These Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans might just be the easiest way to bring a taste of down-home cooking to your table. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, they prove that sometimes the simplest foods prepared with care become the most memorable. Whether for a weeknight dinner or holiday feast, these beans are certain to become a regular request in your household. Why not put them on tomorrow’s menu and let your slow cooker work its magic?