These slow cooker green beans and potatoes are cooked low and slow in a rich, savory bacon broth until they are fork tender. This is the kind of side dish that's been passed down for generations, because it works, every single time.
The slow cooker does the cooking, but the recipe stays the same: fresh green beans, baby potatoes, and bacon that seasons the whole pot. It's simple, comforting, and perfect for Sunday dinner, potlucks, and holiday dinners.
In the South, we love to season our veggies with BACON! That smoky goodness gives them a deep, rich flavor. Southern green beans is one of my personal favorite side dishes. I often make them for week night dinners, but they are also a must at our cookouts when pulled pork is on the menu. There is nothing better than a plate full of country sides alongside pulled pork.
I have been asked for this recipe more times than I can count, and now I am FINALLY getting it up on the blog! I hope you love this as much as I do. Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make Southern crockpot green beans and potatoes with bacon.
- green beans- I use fresh green beans in this recipe, but you can use frozen green bean or canned green beans.
- petite potatoes or new potatoes if in season- For best results I use baby potatoes. However, you can use any type of potato you like. For the small potatoes, I leave the skin on and cut them in half. If you use the larger potatoes, peel the potatoes and cut them into smaller pieces.
- bacon
- onion-I prefer yellow onion, but you can use white onion.
- chicken broth- You can also use chicken stock or chicken bone broth.
- butter-Butter adds a little extra richness and flavor. You can omit this if you want.
- salt and pepper- You can also use Cajun seasoning.
Can you use canned green beans?
You can use canned green beans. I have used them many times when I don't have fresh green beans on hand. However, I find the Italian flat green beans work the best for this recipe.
Steps for slow cooker green beans
Making slow cooker green beans and potatoes is very easy. Follow these easy steps.
- Chop bacon, cut green beans into pieces, dice onion, and cut new potatoes into halves.
- Cook bacon until crispy. Add bacon and bacon grease into the slow cooker reserving 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Cook onion until tender in the bacon grease.
- Add onions, green beans, and potatoes to the slow cooker. Add chicken broth.
- Add butter.
- Cover and cook 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.
Watch how to make
Cooking Tip
You can substitute bacon with smoked turkey legs or wings, or ham hocks. Both of these will liven up those green beans into a rich, delicious side dish. You can also swap out the bacon with smoked sausage and make it a meal.
Please leave me a comment below if you make these Southern green beans and potatoes. Tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your potatoes and green beans on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 6 slices of bacon
- 1 onion diced
- 1.5 pounds fresh green beans
- 24 ounces baby potatoes or new potatoes if in season
- 1 ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoon butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop 6 slices of bacon, trim off 1.5 pounds fresh green beans ends and cut into halves, dice1 onion, and cut 24 ounces baby potatoes into halves.
- Cook bacon until crispy. Add bacon and bacon grease into the slow cooker reserving 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Cook diced onion in bacon grease until tender.
- Add onions, green beans, and potatoes to the slow cooker. Add 1 ½ cup chicken broth.
- Add3 tablespoon butter.
- Cover and cook 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. Serve.
Jacqueline Debono says
I love adding bacon to veggies too, especially green beans! It gives them so much flavour! Love the idea of adding small potatoes too! Need to try that!
Jeannette says
I am so happy! This is exactly the Thanksgiving side dish I have been looking for. There has been a surplus of green beans at the market lately, so I snatched some up. Bacon, potatoes, and some greens. It doesn't get better than that as a side. Thank you for this!
Alisa Infanti says
Bacon does make everything better I agree. I too like to use bacon with veggies that are "less loved" than most. Like Kale or brussel sprouts. This recipe of yours looks really hearty would be great even by throwing in a few meatballs so that you have a complete meal while out skiing for the day! Crockpot meals are the best!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I love the idea of adding the bacon to flavour this dish and it sounds perfect for cold winter days.
Corina Blum says
Bacon goes so well with green beans and with potatoes! I think this is a brilliant side dish and I know I'd definitely be having more than one helping!