Give ordinary green beans a savory Southern-style makeover with Best Green Beans Ever, a simple stovetop side dish inspired by Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman. Fresh green beans simmer slowly with garlic, chopped onion, red bell pepper, and chicken broth, creating a dish packed with comforting flavor. Bacon grease adds a smoky richness, while the onions and peppers gradually soften and caramelize as the cooking liquid reduces.
This recipe uses just a handful of everyday ingredients: one pound of green beans, bacon grease or butter, garlic, a large onion, chicken broth, red bell pepper, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. It’s an easy way to turn a basic vegetable into a memorable side dish for Sunday dinner, holiday meals, or a weeknight supper. If you prefer not to use bacon grease, butter works as a substitute while still adding richness.
Start by trimming the stem ends from the green beans. Melt the bacon grease in a skillet over medium-low heat, then add the minced garlic and chopped onion and cook briefly until fragrant. Add the beans and stir until they turn bright green. Pour in the chicken broth, add the chopped red pepper, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the skillet, leaving the lid slightly ajar so steam can escape, and cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
The goal is tender green beans that still have a little bite, not beans that turn completely mushy. Keep an eye on the broth as the vegetables cook, adding a little more if needed. Toward the end, allow the remaining liquid to evaporate so the onions and peppers can develop a deeper, caramelized flavor.
A large stainless-steel skillet with a lid is useful for cooking the beans evenly and giving the vegetables enough room to simmer without crowding.
These green beans pair especially well with Herb-Crusted Beef Roast with Horseradish-Chive Sauce, Grilled Chicken & Apple Cider Vinegar Marinade or Herbed Chicken & Potatoes. With a short ingredient list and minimal hands-on work, they’re an easy, flavorful addition to everyday dinners and special family meals alike.
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Green Beans
- Total Time: :40
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease (can substitute 2 tablespoons butter)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth, plus more if needed
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt (can substitute regular tablesalt, use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon)
- Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Snap the stem ends of the green beans, or cut them off in a big bunch with a knife if you’d prefer.
- Melt the bacon grease in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook for a minute. Then add the green beans and cook until the beans turn bright green, about a minute.
- Add the chicken broth, chopped red pepper, salt and pepper to taste. Turn the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid, leaving the lid cracked to allow steam to escape.
- Cook until the liquid evaporates and the beans are fairly soft, yet still a bit crisp, 20 to 30 minutes. You can add more chicken broth during the cooking process, but don’t be afraid to let it all cook away so the onions and peppers can start to caramelize.
- Prep Time: :10
- Cook Time: :30
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top