If you’ve ever turned your nose up at green beans during the holiday season or even regular weeknight dinners, you’ll love these Southern style crockpot green beans.
They’re loaded with so much flavor from the crispy bacon, tender green beans, and sautéed aromatics for a classic side dish that will make you rethink vegetables forever. Whether you’re making this dish for busy weeknights or holiday meals, you’ll have an easy side dish recipe that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Gina’s Recipe Highlights For Slow Cooker Green Beans
This recipe makes enough to serve a crowd, and the rich, smoky flavor takes it far beyond plain green beans. The frozen green beans and crockpot make it beginner-friendly, while the minimal prep and simple ingredients make it an easy go-to for any occasion!
Tips Before You Get Started
Prep: You can prep the bacon, onion, and garlic mixture beforehand and store it in the fridge!
Crockpot size: A 4.5-6 quart slow cooker works best to make sure the green beans cook evenly.
Ingredient Tips For Crock Pot Green Beans
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Bacon: This adds so much smoky flavor to the green beans!
- Yellow onion and garlic: These aromatics help create the flavor base for these green beans. Fresh or pre-minced garlic works perfectly!
- Chicken broth: This is the liquid that helps cook the beans. You could also use chicken stock for a richer flavor.
- Spices: Garlic salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika create a smoky, well-rounded flavor profile for this recipe!
- Granulated sugar: Helps balance out the savory flavors. You could swap this with brown sugar if you want.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: A pinch of these will add a gentle heat; adjust to taste.
- Green beans: Frozen green beans make this recipe super easy.
- Butter: Just a couple of tablespoons for flavor.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
- Bacon: If you’re not a fan of bacon, you can add some chopped ham, ham hock, or even sausage for a different flavor.
- Vegetarian: Swap the butter for olive oil, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and omit the bacon. The green beans won’t have as much of a smoky flavor, but they’ll still be delicious!
Yes, you can use fresh green beans instead of frozen in this recipe. Just be sure to trim and wash them before adding them to the crockpot. You also need to reduce the cooking time to 4 hours, as fresh green beans will cook quicker than frozen ones.
Nope, you don’t need to thaw the green beans first. They’ll cook down just fine in the crockpot!
How To Make Green Beans in the Crock Pot
These green beans have a minimal prep time of only 15 minutes. After that, the slow cooker takes over!
Cook the Bacon and Sauté the Aromatics
Cook the bacon slices in a skillet until they’re crispy, then set them aside and use the leftover bacon grease to sauté the onions and garlic.
Pour the Broth and Add the Onions and Garlic
Pour in the broth, sprinkle in your seasonings, and stir it. Then, add the sautéed onions and garlic.
Cook and Serve
Add the green beans to the slow cooker and cook until tender. Once they’re done, add the remaining bacon and butter and serve.
Hospitality and Recipe Notes
Make It A Meal: This green bean recipe is the perfect side dish for holiday dishes like Crockpot Turkey Breast and ending with classic Pecan Pie. These green beans also double as a simple side dish during the year paired with comforting main dishes like French Onion Soup Chicken or Chicken and Rice Casserole. And for dessert, you can keep things light with Banana Pudding Brownies or No Bake Cheesecake Cups!
Make-Ahead Tips: You can make the bacon, onion, and garlic mixture up to 4 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also cook the entire recipe and store it in the fridge for a day or two. Before serving, set the crockpot to warm and let the green beans heat up for 30-60 minutes.
Storage: Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. When reheating, warm them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
More Recipes Like This One You Will Enjoy
The Best Homemade Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans Recipe
Biblical Hospitality Reflection
The early church grew through open homes and open hearts, where believers gathered to share meals, prayers, and fellowship (Acts 2:46). Hospitality wasn’t just a kind gesture, it was the foundation of a thriving, Christ-centered community. In the same way, a simple, comforting side dish like Crock Pot Green Beans brings people together with its southern charm and ease. As the beans slowly cook, absorbing the flavors of crispy bacon and aromatic spices, take a moment and remind yourself that genuine hospitality isn’t about perfection but about creating a welcoming space where hearts can connect. Just as the early Christians broke bread with glad and sincere hearts, may we open our homes and tables, inviting others to experience the love of Christ through shared meals. Who in your life could use an invitation to your table this week?
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Southern-Style Crock Pot Green Beans
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 5 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth,
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 pounds green beans, frozen
- 2 tablespoon butter, or more if you like them really buttery
Instructions
Cook Bacon and Onions
- Cut bacon into 1/4-inch pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy.5 slices bacon
- Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
- Add diced onion to the skillet and cook in the bacon grease until translucent, about 5 minutes.1/2 cup yellow onion
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.2 cloves garlic
- Transfer onion and garlic to a 6-quart crockpot and discard excess bacon grease.
Assemble In Crock Pot
- Add chicken broth, garlic salt, black pepper, paprika, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes to the crockpot. Stir to combine.2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Mix in half of the cooked bacon and place the other half in the refrigerator for topping when beans are cooked.
- Add the green beans into the crockpot, stir slightly, pushing them down into the liquid.1 1/2 pounds green beans
Cook the Green Beans
- On Low: Cook for 5-6 hours, checking for tenderness after 5 hours or on High: Cook for 4 hours.
Serving
- Drain the green beans from the broth. (optional)
- Toss with butter and the remaining cooked bacon.2 tablespoon butter
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Notes
Equipment
