Mama's Green Beans

Bring a taste of comfort and nostalgia to your table with Mama's Green Beans, a soul-warming Southern side dish that's packed with flavor. This easy-to-follow recipe combines tender, simmered fresh green beans with the irresistible smokiness of crispy bacon and the savory depth of sautéed onions and garlic. Infused with chicken broth, a touch of butter, and a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes, this dish strikes the perfect balance between homestyle simplicity and bold flavor. Ready in just 35 minutes, Mama’s Green Beans are an ideal accompaniment to hearty roasts, grilled chicken, or holiday feasts. Whether you’re recreating family dinners or hosting a crowd, this irresistible side dish will leave everyone reaching for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 4 slices bacon
• 0.5 medium yellow onion
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the green beans thoroughly and trim the ends. Set aside.

Step 2

Chop the bacon slices into small pieces and dice the onion finely.

Step 3

In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the rendered bacon grease in the pan.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the pan with the bacon grease, and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 5

Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the pan. Cook for an additional 30 seconds or until fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in the chicken broth, butter, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 7

Add the green beans to the pan. Toss them gently to coat in the broth and seasonings. Cover the skillet or saucepan and reduce the heat to medium-low.

Step 8

Let the green beans simmer for about 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender but still slightly crisp. Adjust the cooking time to your texture preference.

Step 9

Once the green beans are cooked to your liking, stir in the reserved crispy bacon pieces.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve warm as a side dish to your favorite main entrée.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(808.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	452.9

Total Fat 24.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 62.7mg	0%
Sodium 1420.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 43.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.3g	0%
Total Sugars 17.9g
Protein 23.9g	0%

Vitamin D 5.1IU	0%
Calcium 228.5mg	0%
Iron 6.0mg	0%
Potassium 1468.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.7%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 35.7%