Where I’m from Southern Green Beans means fresh string beans cooked low and slow with lots of pork to full-flavored tenderness.

Bacon is usually the pork of choice, as you get that smoky meatiness that enriches the Beans with that added level of flavor.

These Green Beans are simple to make, but the results are amazing. The key is patience and seasoning.

The seasoning comes from the fresh Green beans themselves, plus the salty, smoked pork plus the spice seasoning.

MOOD MUSIC

I’ve seen plenty of green bean recipes using canned beans. This ain’t that kind of recipe. Keep it real and fresh, fresh only!

Southern Green Bean Ingredients

• Fresh green beans
• Garlic cloves
• Yellow onion
• Smoked Bacon
• Salt Pork
• Smoked Pulled Pork (optional)
• Chicken Stock
• Water
• Paprika
• Allspice
• Salt
• Black pepper

How To Make Green Beans Southern Style

Mix spices together in small bowl.

Pre-heat skillet to medium heat. Add bacon and salt pork. Saute to release their flavor. Cook until bacon is fully cooked. Remove and set aside the bacon and salt pork.

Add sliced onions and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add chopped garlic cloves and cook another minute. Season the vegetables with ⅓ of the spice mix.

Add the smoked pulled pork if using and cook for a minute or two just long enough to release the flavor.

Add green beans and mix well to coat most of the beans in the infused bacon fat. Add chicken stock, water plus half the remaining seasoning. Mix well and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Cook covered 1 ½ - 2 hours. Halfway through cooking add remaining spices. Remove from heat and serve.

Southern-style Green Beans Cooking Tips and Considerations

Traditional Southern Green Beans are cooked with either bacon or salt pork or both. The added pulled pork was just me being a nerd about flavor. If you’ve followed me then you’re probably familiar with my cabbage cooked in smoked brisket fat cap. This is a similar technique.

Use fresh green beans. They will hold up to the long slow simmer. 

To speed up prep time use kitchen shears to snip the ends off the green beans.

Do not rush things. The key to the best green beans is to let them simmer for a good while.

Serve these green beans with jerk fried chicken and pair with another side like Mac and cheese or mashed potatoes.

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The post "To Be Real" Southern Green Beans {Recipe} appeared first on Food Fidelity.