There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans to bring the flavors of the South to your dinner table. These green beans were always a hit in my family’s Sunday dinners, infused with flavors that tell stories of tradition and love.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you!
Green beans slowly simmered with savory sausage, bacon and a touch of tomato always graced our table, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas. This recipe is a tribute to those cherished moments, capturing the heart and soul of Southern cooking.
A Southern food classic
Southern food holds a special place in my heart. I fondly remember my grandmother’s kitchen, where the rich cooking aromas lingered long after the meal was over. She would always say that good food brings people together, and she was right.
Whenever I make these Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans, I can almost hear her laughter echoing in the kitchen. This dish is not just about the ingredients; it’s about the love and tradition passed down through generations, creating bonds over hearty meals.
Ingredients
How to make Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
Making Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans is easy and rewarding. Start by preparing the green beans, trimming the woody ends and rinsing them well. Gather the sausage, bacon, pork hock, tomatoes, onion, garlic and chicken broth to have everything ready.
Next, combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker. Add the trimmed green beans, sausage chunks, bacon pieces, diced tomatoes, diced onion, chopped garlic and the pork hock. Pour in the chicken broth, sprinkle some salt and pepper, then cover the slow cooker and set it to cook.
After several hours, the flavors will meld together beautifully. Remove the pork hock, shred the meat and stir it back into the beans. Adjust the seasoning as needed, and your Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans will be ready to serve, offering a comforting taste of Southern tradition.
Serving suggestions
To serve your Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans, ladle a generous portion into a bowl and let the rich flavors embrace your palate. Pair them with a side of cornbread or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the savory juices.
For a true Southern feast, serve them alongside fried chicken or slow-cooked pork chops. This dish embodies Southern hospitality, inviting family and friends to gather around the table and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and great company.
Storage tips
If you have leftovers, store your Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed to loosen the consistency. You can also reheat them in the microwave. Just be sure to cover the dish to keep moisture in.
Southern farewell
I hope you find joy in making this recipe and that it brings back memories of your own Southern gatherings. Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans are more than just a side dish; they hold a special place in my heart as a reminder of family, tradition and the warmth of the South. I encourage you to share this dish with your loved ones and create your own memories around the dinner table.
Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
Equipment
- 1 Slow cooker you need a fairly large one to hold 2 pounds of green beans
Ingredients
- 2 sausage links garlic or mild Italian sausage cut into chunks
- 2 pounds green beans woody end trimmed
- 3-4 slices thick-cut bacon cut into chunks
- 8 ounces pork hock
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 cup chicken broth use low or no sodium added
- 1 yellow onion diced
- salt and pepper
- 2-3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
Instructions
- Trim the stem ends from the green beans and rinse them under cool water.
- In the slow cooker, add the trimmed green beans, sausage chunks, pork hock, bacon pieces, diced tomatoes, diced onion and chopped garlic. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper over the top. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.
- About halfway through the cooking time, give everything a good stir to mix the flavors.
- Once the cooking time is up, remove the pork hock and shred the meat. Stir the shredded meat back into the green beans, and discard any excess fat.
- Taste the beans and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Ladle the green beans into bowls and serve them warm, using some of the cooking liquid for extra flavor. Enjoy your Southern comfort food!
