By: Jill Mills Posted: Dec 8, 2025

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Fresh green beans are slow-cooked until tender with garlic, onion, bacon, and some Cajun seasoning in this Southern Green Beans recipe for an irresistibly flavorful and easy side dish.

Overhead view of a plate of Southern style green beans

Living in Georgia, these Southern green beans are a side dish I’ve been eating, making, and loving for years. Like Southern collard greens and fried cabbage, this recipe takes a fresh green vegetable, adds some bacon, and turns it into mouthwatering comfort food. The green beans themselves are tender and soft, the perfect contrast to the crispy, salty bacon. And, since this is Southern cooking after all, they’re seasoned with a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning for a little kick. I’ve found even those who are typically “meh” about green beans can’t help devouring these!

Why Southern Green Beans Are One Of My Favorite Side Dishes

Comfort food. Like most Southern classics, these green beans fall into the “comfort food category”. They’re rich and savory and tossed with crispy bacon. So good!
SO much flavor. Cajun seasoning. Bacon fat. Worcestershire sauce. Brown sugar. Slow cooking the green beans in those ingredients results in THE most flavorful green beans I’ve ever tasted. They’re savory with a hint of sweetness from the brown sugar and the Cajun seasoning adds a bit of spice.
Minimal effort. While these Southern style green beans do take some time to prepare, the stove does most of the work. Once everything is simmering, I can work on the rest of the meal without needing to be hands-on, beyond occasionally stirring the beans.

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make Southern green beans

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of the handful of ingredients needed to make this side dish. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Bacon – The bacon itself adds flavor and texture to the dish. But cooking the other ingredients in the bacon grease is part of the secret to the recipe!
Onion & garlic – Aromatics to add flavor to the dish.
Green beans – Fresh green beans are the best option here. Be sure to trim off the ends.
Chicken broth – The base of the liquid the beans simmer in. Opt for low-sodium to control the flavor.
Brown sugar – Sweetens the beans and creates a slightly sticky, caramelized texture to the sauce.
Cajun seasoning – Adds a bit of heat and Southern flavor. If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
Worcestershire sauce – A splash of Worcestershire adds deep umami flavor to the dish.
Salt & pepper

How To Make Southern Green Beans

While this recipe may not be quick since the beans need to simmer for some time, it is super easy and worth the wait. The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Cook the bacon. Cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 2-3 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
Cook the aromatics. Add the onion to the bacon fat and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Pouring broth over fresh green beans in a pot

Bacon added to a pot with cooked green beans

Add the other ingredients. Toss the green beans in the bacon fat, onion, and garlic. Then, pour in the broth and stir in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Bring to a gentle boil.
Simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer for an hour and 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The liquid should reduce and the green beans should be tender.
Add the bacon. Stir the crispy bacon into the pan. Give the green beans a taste and add more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning as needed. Enjoy!

A spoon stirring a pot of Southern green beans

Recipe Tips & Variations

After making these Southern green beans more times than I can count, I’ve learned a thing or two! Here are my top tips, including a few ways to customize them

Don’t rush the cook time. The long simmering time allows the liquid to reduce and concentrate, creating a rich, flavorful coating for the green beans. Be patient and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Bacon grease is key. Cooking everything in the bacon fat really is key to this dish. It adds so much flavor! I’ve tried it without the bacon and it’s just not the same!
Adjust the seasoning. I always give the green beans a taste test after adding the bacon. Sometimes, they’re already perfect and sometimes they need just a tad more salt or pepper. Feel free to add more or less Cajun seasoning in the beginning as well, depending on your taste buds.
Add some spice. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

A fork in a plate of Southern green beans

What To Serve Them With

These green beans are a cozy side for pretty much any dinner, but especially Southern classics! I love to serve these with some fried chicken and cornbread or mashed potatoes for a complete Southern comfort food dinner.

Make Ahead & Leftovers

Make ahead. You can prepare this dish a day in advance. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed. This is a great option if you know you won’t have the full hour and a half to cook the next day!
Leftovers. Leftover Southern style green beans can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat. Gently reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to thin the sauce as needed.