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

Description

A hearty and flavorful Southern-style slow cooker green bean recipe featuring fresh green beans cooked with chicken broth, bacon, and aromatic seasoning for a comforting side dish.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main 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)

Seasonings

3 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Prepare the slow cooker: Lightly spray the crock of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Add the ingredients: Place the fresh green beans, chicken broth, sliced onion, kosher salt, black pepper, and about half of the bacon pieces into the crock. Stir everything together lightly to combine.
Cook the green beans: Cover the slow cooker and set it on high for 4 to 6 hours, or on low for 6 to 8 hours. Cook until the green beans are tender and cooked to your preferred texture. Stir the beans a couple of times during the cooking process to evenly distribute the flavors.
Serve and garnish: Once cooked, transfer the green beans to a serving dish and top them with the remaining bacon pieces for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

For added flavor, consider sautéing the onion before adding it to the slow cooker.
If making your own bacon pieces, cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it into small pieces.
Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste preference.
Using fresh green beans is recommended, but you can substitute frozen green beans if needed. Adjust the cooking time slightly.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 100
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 5mg