Southern folks know that Southern Green Beans are the real MVP of the veggie game. When you slow cook some string beans with potatoes and super flavorful smoked turkey necks, you get legit comfort food. It ain’t hard to make y’all, and it’s mandatory at the holiday or Sunday supper dinner table. Other folks may try to share a green bean recipe with ya, but it ain’t even in the same league as this one.
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They’re Lovin’ It! Here’s what They’re Sayin’:
“These green beans are so delicious! I love the added flavor from the smoked turkey. Definitely making these again!”
If there was one vegetable I loved more than anything else growing up, it was my mama’s green beans with potatoes and smoked turkey. Nothing else compared. She will tell you herself that I demanded this be on the table before any other side dish. No veggie comforts me more. The aroma alone should be bottled up and sold. Made of homemade smoked turkey stock, fresh string beans, aromatic onion and garlic, and lots of bomb seasoning, these slow-cooked Southern green beans are comfort food at its finest!
What are Southern Green Beans?
Southern-style green beans are different than most recipes because of the cooking method. Typically fresh string beans or green beans are simmered away in a pot along with a smoky meat like smoked turkey or ham hock until that flavor enhances the veggies in the most unique way. We also usually throw in some diced potatoes creating a hybrid of flavors and textures. This one is inspired by Kevin Bludso’s new cookbook: Bludso’s BBQ Cookbook: A Family Affair In Smoke And Soul.
The Lowdown on the Best Southern Green Beans Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: Southern Comfort y’all
Primary Cooking Method: Simmering
Dietary Info: Gluten-Free
Key Flavor: Savory, Smoky, Down-Home Vibes
Skill Level: Beginner-Medium
- Authentic Southern Flavor: We ain’t messing with tradition. This recipe stays true to its roots, giving the type of traditional vibes grandmas around the South perfected.
- Nutrient-Rich: Green beans are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making this dish not only delish but also healthy ya dig?
- Straightforward: Despite the fact that we are building complex flavors, the ingredients are pretty easy to come by. And the recipe ain’t difficult to follow either.
- Comfort Food: There’s a hearty dose of comfort in each serving, making it a recipe that’s perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or any occasion calling for a warm, comforting side.
- Leftovers: I know it’s hard to believe but this Southern green beans recipe tastes even better the next day. Make a big batch and eat on all week long.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make the Best Green Bean Recipe
- String Beans: Grab em fresh boos. They will need to be properly washed, stemmed, and halved crosswise before use.
- Water: We basically use this to create our own stock. As the turkey necks boil, the water soaks up flavor and transforms into a rich, salty broth infusing the green beans and potatoes.
- Smoked Turkey Necks: We Southern folks love us some smoked meat. It has such intensity and rich, woody flavor.
- White Onion and Garlic: Both are sweet yet acidic aromatics that work together to create depth of flavor and fragrance.
- Chicken Bouillon Powder: This granulated mix blends the essence of chicken, onion, parsley, and various other spices. It’s gonna help transform the liquid into a rich and savory base.
- Seasoning Salt: This is basically a granulated mix of seasonings! Just a little is going to efficiently add flavor to these Southern string beans.
- Red Potatoes: These give that hearty and creamy texture to the pot. They also absorb seasoning super well.
- Black Pepper: Just a little bit is gonna add a nice kick of subtle spice.
How to Make Southern Green Beans with Smoked Turkey
Step 1: Make the Delish Stock
- We start by creating a stock made with water and smoked turkey necks. Bring the water to a rolling boil then turn down to low boil, covering and letting that stock really develop for a couple of hours.
- After that, you’ll need to mix the onion, garlic, and bouillon powder into the pot. Carefully give the hot brothy mixture a taste and add seasoning salt if you think it needs it. Do you boos!
Step 2: Prep the Southern Green Beans and Potatoes and Add on In
- Properly wash, stem, and halve crosswise the string beans. Then quarter the potatoes.
- Add the potatoes and string beans to the pot, cover it, and let it cook at a low boil again until the spuds are tender and the beans are soft. This can take about 45 minutes or more. Season with the ground pepper, give it another taste, and see what you think!
Step 3: Add that Meat Back In!
- The last thing you’ll need to do is remove the smoked necks from the pot and then pull the turkey meat. Add it back into the pot.
PRO TIP: Be very careful when pulling the meat apart! You’ll probably want to let it cool for a few minutes so you don’t get burned.
What to Serve with Southern String Beans
- Classic Southern Dinner: Ain’t nothing like serving these smoked turkey green beans up with fried chicken, garlic mashed potatoes and chicken gravy, velvetta mac and cheese, candied yams, Southern cornbread and peach cobbler.
- Sunday Supper: Serve this up with some oxtails, pinto beans, scalloped potatoes, turnip greens ,creamed corn, and Southern baked mac and cheese.
- BBQ Vibes: Get the grill going with some BBQ baby back ribs, beef ribs, BBQ wings and serve along with some potato salad and fried corn.
- Main Meal: Serve these Southern string beans up as the main attraction with some buttermilk biscuits or Jiffy cornbread on the side to soak up that delish smoked turkey stock.
- Lightened Up Meal: This is a great side with a little air fryer salmon and harvest salad.
- Holiday Table: The holidays ain’t complete without this and a little fried turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce and honey glazed ham, and pecan pie ya dig?
Recipe Substitutions for this Fresh Green Bean Recipe
- String Beans: This is a fresh green bean recipe however frozen green beans work in a pinch boos. Canned green beans can step in as well.
- Smoked Turkey Necks: If you’re having trouble finding necks, you can replace them with smoked turkey wings or legs. You can even use a smoked ham hock or thick cut bacon!
- Onion: Shallots work great too however the flavor will be a bit milder.
- Garlic: Grab some garlic powder or garlic paste if ya need to.
- Bouillon Cube: It ain’t gotta be chicken. Feel free to use beef if you would like. Or sub in some chicken broth or stock to enhance the flavor.
- Potatoes: Grab russett or even yukon gold. Both will work well in this recipe. The cooking time may vary a tiny bit.
Recipe Variations and Additions
- Vegan Vibes: Bounce the meat all together, use a vegetarian bouillon cube and get the flavor poppin plant-based style.
- Get Herby: Adding some rosemary, oregano or parsley will give a touch of earthy freshness.
- Brighten The Flavors: Just a touch of citrus like lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar can add some tangy essence.
- Spice it Up: Adding a little hot sauce or a bit of cayenne can really make those flavors pop y’all.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Southern Style Green Beans
- Grab Fresh: Look for vibrant green ones that are firm, not wilted, and without discoloration.
- Taste and Adjust: The old schoolers always taste and enhance the flavors based on their preferences. Grab a spoon and taste that stock before you serve it up. Adjust as needed.
- Let it Rest: Giving this fresh green bean recipe time to chill out before you serve will allow those flavors to really come together even better.
- Save that Potlikker: Save any extra for adding to soups and stews. It is so bomb y’all!
How to Store Smoked Turkey Green Beans
- Fridge: Any leftover southern string beans should be cooled completely and transferred to an airtight container. Tuck the beans away in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Add to resealable ziptop bags and remove the air. Label and store. They should last about 6 months.
- Reheating: Southern-style green beans reheat really well. Place the leftovers in a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Stir frequently and wait for the string beans to come up to your desired temperature. You could also reheat them in a crockpot on low.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yep for sure boos! Store these up in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days then gently reheat on the stovetop and serve em up!
Absolutely y’all. Frozen can work in a pinch for sure. Just thaw and dry them before adding to the pot so you don’t add extra liquid.
Absolutely boos. Snap or trim the stem ends so you can get rid of the woody tough portions.
Best Southern Veggie Recipes
Southern Green Beans
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 8-10 cups water or as needed
- 6 meaty smoked turkey necks or smoked ham hocks
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
- 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
- seasoning salt
- 1 lb small to medium red potatoes quartered
- 2 lbs string beans stemmed and halved crosswise
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large stockpot over high heat, combine the water and turkey necks and bring to a rolling boil. Turn the heat to a low boil, cover and cook for 2 hours.
- After the 2 hours, add more water if needed just to cover the necks, then add the onion, garlic and bouillion powder and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and add seasoning salt if needed. The liquid should taste like an excellent, slightly salty broth.
- Add the potatoes and string beans, re-cover, and continue cooking at a low boil until the potatoes are quite tender and the beans are soft, about 45 minutes. Add the pepper and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Take off heat but leave covered.
- Pull the turkey necks from the broth and set them aside just until they are cool enough to handle. Pull the meat from the necks, discarding the skin and bones, and add the meat back to the broth. If you are using ham hocks, you can simply break them up with a cooking spoon in the pot, or remove them, pull the meat, and add it back into the broth, discard the bones and skin.
- Serve the beans and potatoes in bowls along with some of the broth and meat.
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Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! It’s just like the green beans and potatoes my grandmother used to make–except she used a ham hock instead of smoked turkey. (Personally, I like the smoked turkey better–but don’t tell her I told you)
This is my favorite type of a side dish to go with potaotes. Love these so much!
Loved these beans! So rich and flavorful from the turkey.
These really are the MVP. It was the MVP of my Father’s Day meal. Everyone loved the turkey in this. Thank you!
These are great for a summer bbq. Love all the flavor it has. Thanks!
Hi
In recipe for southern green beans it has 8 quarts of water. Did you mean 8 cups?
Please respond ASAP. Thanks!
This is really a guide as you may need a bit less water depending on the size of the pot.
Can you use frozen green beans?
You can, I prefer fresh, but frozen is better than canned!