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Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe for Tender, Flavorful Results

Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe for Tender, Flavorful Results

Fresh green beans cook slowly with bacon, onion, garlic, and chicken broth for a tender, savory Southern-style side dish. Optional sugar, smoked paprika, and finishing butter add extra layers of flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds Fresh green beans, rinsed and trimmed
  • 6 slices Bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 medium Medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 cups Chicken broth or stock
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon, plus more to taste Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Optional Seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Smoked paprika
Finishing Ingredient
  • 1 tablespoon Butter

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Rinse and trim the green beans, removing the stem ends. Cut especially long beans in half if desired.
  2. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until lightly browned but not completely crisp. Transfer the bacon to a plate and reserve 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat.
  3. Sauté the diced onion in the reserved bacon fat for 3–4 minutes, or until it begins to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Place the green beans in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, chicken broth, kosher salt, black pepper, and the optional sugar and smoked paprika.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the beans are tender but not falling apart. Stir once halfway through if convenient.
  6. Taste the beans and adjust the seasoning carefully. Stir in the butter just before serving if using.

Notes

Use low-sodium chicken broth and add salt gradually because bacon can be quite salty. Begin checking fresh beans at about 4 hours on LOW to avoid an overly soft texture. Frozen green beans may be used without thawing, but they generally need slightly less cooking time and may have a softer texture.