Want to learn how to make a healthy southern green bean recipe? I outlined how to do this step-by-step below. Comfort food never tasted better...or healthier!

Southern Green Beans | Want to learn how to make a healthy southern green bean recipe? I outlined how to do this step-by-step below. Comfort food never tasted better...or healthier! | A Sweet Pea Chef

Being from Texas and all, Dustin has always loved this slow-cooked, Southern style of green beans. And well, I must admit there's definitely something about southern-style food. As if its sole purpose was to please. It's called soul food for a reason, no?

Well, as I love comfort food, and you know I do, I still like to eat healthy and clean. Also, I think I appreciate my days off and an occasional cheat meal even more that way. Over time, I've also learned there are ways to modify and adapt even the oldest, most traditional recipes and fit them into your clean eating plan.

If you love the bold, tasty, and amazing flavors of How to Cook Southern Style Green Beans, you’ll enjoy Sauteed Asparagus | And 7 Creative Ways To Season! for a twist on your classic dinner side.

Luckily for me, Southern Green Beans was not a hard recipe to adapt. And, to both my own and Dustin's delight, these turned out to be absolutely amazing!

An overhead image of a bowl of fresh green beans for the Southern Green Beans recipe.

ARE SOUTHERN GREEN BEANS HEALTHY?

Green beans are a rich source of vitamins A, C and K as well as folic acid and fiber. Adding green beans to your diet will boost your immune system as well as your metabolism. Some types of green beans can even be eaten fresh, something you should definitely do whenever possible as vegetables lose some of its nutritional value during cooking.

The recipe also calls for low sodium chicken broth and nitrate-free bacon to help remove a lot of the sodium and processed ingredients. While this recipe still has a salty undertone, it's not crazy salty like most Southern Green Bean recipes you may have tried.

A close up image of pouring the low sodium chicken broth over cooked green beans, cooked bacon, onion and garlic for the Southern Green Beans.

3 HEALTHY SOUTHERN GREEN BEAN PAIRINGS

Wondering what you can serve with Southern Style Green Beans? Good news: Southern Green Beans are not only healthy and taste absolutely amazing but they’re super easy to pair up and serve with pretty much anything. Go full on veggie, if that’s what you’re craving or serve Southern Green Beans as a side dish.

Personally, I love me some green beans alongside chicken so here are a couple of my favorite chicken recipes I love to serve with Southern Green Beans on the side.

An overhead image of a spoon stirring the Southern Green Beans in a pan, made with fresh green beans, cooked bacon, low sodium chicken broth, onion and garlic.

A close up image of a serving of Southern Green Beans, made with fresh green beans, cooked bacon, low sodium chicken broth, onion and garlic.

BAKED ALMOND CHICKEN STRIPS (SOUTHERN GREEN BEAN PAIRING IDEA)

Try a healthy spin on chicken strips with this baked almond chicken strips recipe, paired with a clean honey mustard dipping sauce that’s pure perfection. This Southern Green Beans recipe goes as a great side with these Baked Chicken Strips.

Almond-Crusted Baked Chicken Strips With Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce | A Sweet Pea Chef

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN (SOUTHERN GREEN BEAN PAIRING IDEA)

I'm such a fan of all things Nashville. Not just about music, but about the food as well! Follow these easy steps and you’ll be on your way to the best healthy Nashville Hot Chicken ever, just in time for summer!

Nashville Hot Chicken | Follow these easy steps and you’ll be on your way to the best healthy Nashville Hot Chicken ever. Just in time for summer! | A Sweet Pea Chef

PAN FRIED SALMON (SOUTHERN GREEN BEAN PAIRING IDEA)

Okay, so this isn't salmon, but this salmon recipe goes great with these Southern Style Green Beans. This Pan Fried Salmon is one of my favorite easy dinner recipes. Serve it with Southern Green Beans for a quick, yet nutritious weekday dinner.

Pan Fried Salmon | This Pan Fried Salmon is one of my favorite easy dinner recipes. Follow my easy steps for how to cook salmon perfectly every time. | A Sweet Pea Chef

HOW TO COOK SOUTHERN GREEN BEANS IN A CROCK POT

If you want to make a healthier version of the traditional recipe, while still keeping it super simple and mess-free, make your Southern Green Beans in a crock pot. Seriously, I think I might be in love with my slow cooker!

Southern Green beans are cooked low and slow in a slow cooker so there’s plenty of time for those wonderful flavors to develop. Remember the taste of your grandma’s green beans? This is as close as it gets and it’s good for you as well.

In case you're wondering, Southern Green Beans prepared in a crock pot are definitely good for you. Cooking in a crock pot is a great way to cook healthier because you don't need to use a ton of oil or fats, and the food still cooks over time so it creates a ton of flavor.

Southern Green Beans cooked in a crock pot are made without additional oil and processed fats, with added nitrate-free bacon slices for some extra flavor.

An overhead image of a serving of Southern Green Beans on a plate, made with fresh green beans, cooked bacon, low sodium chicken broth, onion and garlic.

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If you give this recipe a try, let me know what you think by leaving a comment and rating it. And don’t forget to take a picture and tag it #asweetpeachef on Instagram! I LOVE seeing what you come up with. Enjoy!

A close up image of a spoon stirring Southern Green Beans made with green beans, cooked bacon, low sodium chicken broth, onion and garlic.

How to Make Southern Green Beans

Lacey Baier

Want to learn how to make a healthy southern green beans? I outlined how to do this step-by-step below. Comfort food never tasted better...or healthier!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Course Clean Eating. Gluten-Free, Paleo, Side, Side Dish, Slow Cooker

Cuisine Easy

Servings

Calories 124 kcal

*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.

Ingredients

▢ 4 nitrate-free bacon slices, diced
▢ 1 medium yellow onion, diced
▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
▢ ground black pepper to taste
▢ 1 ½ lbs fresh green beans, de-stemmed and sliced into 1 ½-in. pieces
▢ 3 cups low sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
▢ sea salt, as needed to taste

Instructions

In a deep stock pot or large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside. Reserve drippings and keep heating over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, cayenne, and black pepper, and cook for an additional minute.
Add the green beans and cooked bacon and stir to combine. Add enough chicken stock to just cover the green beans.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook, covered, 40-50 minutes, depending on preferred level of tenderness. Check flavor again and season to taste as needed. The longer you cook them, the more tender they’ll be.
Remove from heat and serve hot.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cupCalories: 124 kcalCarbohydrates: 11 gProtein: 6 gFat: 6 gSaturated Fat: 2 gCholesterol: 9 mgSodium: 140 mgPotassium: 396 mgFiber: 3 gSugar: 4 gVitamin A: 815 IUVitamin C: 15.5 mgCalcium: 53 mgIron: 1.5 mg

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This post contains affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.