Smothered Green Beans

Smothered Green Beans are a vintage side dish recipe that is absolutely addictive. This easy-to-make recipe requires only a few simple ingredients and is chock-full of sweet and salty flavor.

5 from 4 votes

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Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 2 10

Servings: servings

Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

1/2 pound bacon cooked, chopped, reserve the bacon grease
1 cup white onion diced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon garlic minced
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cups chicken broth
2 pounds fresh green beans trimmed, halved or (4) 14 ounce cans green beans

Instructions

In a large pan, heat the bacon grease and butter and add the onion and garlic. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring often.
Add the brown sugar, soy sauce and chicken broth, then stir in the green beans and simmer over low heat until the liquid is nearly gone. This may take up to 2 hours.
Add the bacon to the green beans and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove from the heat and serve. Enjoy warm!

Notes

If you are in a hurry, you can cook this over medium heat. Remove from the stove when most of the broth has evaporated.
Only use unsalted chicken broth. If you use broth with salt it will be too salty because of the bacon and soy sauce.
Substitute turkey bacon or crumbled sausage for the traditional pork bacon. Be sure to save the fat and drain the cooked bacon on a paper towel.
Use canned green beans if you are unable to find fresh or are in a pinch. Just be sure to rinse and drain completely. I also like to use frozen cut green beans.
When using fresh green beans, be sure to wash and drain green beans before adding to recipe. Remove any smashed or soft portions.
If you’d like to make the smothered green beans spicy, add in a shot of hot sauce, hot vinegar, or crushed red pepper flakes.
Serve this as a side, but it also tastes great as a “savory glaze” when served with slices of ham as a fancy main course.

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