Green beans and bacon are already an amazing combo but smother them in a spectacular sauce, and you’ve got something heavenly. The smothering sauce is a flavorful combo of soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth that will knock your socks off. This Southern side dish tastes spectacular and is easy to make, too! It comes together quickly, and it’s easy to double or triple the recipe, perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredient List
How to Make Smothered Green Beans
Fry Bacon – Add chopped bacon to a large, deep skillet and cook until crispy. Take the bacon out of the skillet and set aside. Drain the bacon fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the skillet. Saute Aromatics – Add the butter and let it melt. Then add onions and garlic, stir, and saute until fragrant. Assemble – Next, add the green beans, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken stock, and half the cooked bacon. (Reserve the rest for garnishing). Simmer – Bring to a boil, cover, and let it simmer on medium-low for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Season – 10 minutes before it’s done cooking, season with salt and pepper. Add more stock for a saucier dish. Serve – Adjust the sauce thickness and seasoning to taste and serve hot with your favorite chicken, fish, or meat dish.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Save time by smothering the green beans the day before and storing them in the fridge. They’ll last 3-5 days and taste just as fresh when reheating them on the stovetop. The same goes for the leftovers. Freezing cooked green beans changes the texture, so be aware they may be slightly mushy.
What Goes With Smothered Green Beans
Smothered green beans go great with just about anything. Try them with baked turkey thighs and roast garlic mashed potatoes or Southern fried catfish and scalloped potatoes. 😋
More Sensational Side Dishes to Try
