Put some respect on Southern green beans, especially with the potatoes and smoked meat. I begged my Mississippi mama to make them every chance I could get. They hit real different. The key is to build a broth made of smoked turkey that infuses flavor into the string beans as they cook low and slow. They get tender then I added in potatoes for even more texture and veggies. This is the side that deserves a spot on every Sunday supper table ya dig.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Green Beans Ingredient Notes
- Fresh String Beans: They will need to be properly washed, stemmed, and halved crosswise before use. Frozen green beans or canned can also work as a swap.
- Smoked Turkey Necks: You can also use smoked turkey wings, legs, ham hock or even bacon.
- Chicken Bouillon Powder: You can also swap the powder and water for chicken stock or broth.
- Red Potatoes: Russet or Yukon gold works fine too.
How to Make Southern Green Beans
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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 3: Properly wash, stem, and halve crosswise the string beans. Then quarter the potatoes.
Step 4: 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 5: Remove smoked necks from the pot and then pull apart the turkey meat.
Step 6: Add it back into the pot. Get rid of the bones and skin then it’s ready to serve up!
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.
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Southern Green Beans Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
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.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- 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!
Recipe Help
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 boos. Snap or trim the stem ends so you can get rid of the woody tough portions.
pinterest 
facebook 
twitter 
email
Oh my goodness! This is so good! When I read your email recently where you had this featured, I knew I had to make it. It was one of my favorites when I was a kid. The universe converged and most of the ingredients went on sale this past week and I made it this morning. I just finished eating a bowlful for lunch. Now, I did cheat by throwing everything in my instapot for about 10 minutes. But, I am not disappointed in the least. I’m going to be munching on this nonstop until it is gone. Thank you! Thank you!
Wow, thanks so much!! So happy to hear that you liked it! And don’t worry, I use the instant pot in a pinch too, sometimes you just can’t wait!
These are always a hit! I feel so nostalgic when eating/making your recipes I read your story and about and seen basically that you have family from Mississippi. My grandparents came from Mississippi during the great migration and growing up with them and having their food and having yours after bring up sooooo many good memories thank you so much
I just finished making them.for a cozy BBQ for two and they are soo good I know he will love them too….they remind me of my grand mother’s string beans..this glam mom is winning with these string beans
Yay!! So happy to hear that they are a hit!
Catered my first large order of green beans (100 people). This recipe was my saving grace!
How many servings did you do?
Perfect . . . Soooooo good. I have not had this in many years!
These green beans are so delicious! I love the added flavor from the smoked turkey. Definitely making these again!
My mouth is watering looking at these beans! Saving turkey neck for next time and making. These ASAP!
These beans are just screaming with flavor! We served them with smoked beef and they were the perfect side! Thanks!
Oh my goodness. These southern style green beans look and sound marvelous. Love that you have added potatoes and use turkey not ham. A perfect side dish.
I feel like I can already smell how freaking delicious these green beans are! I love how easy the recipe is, its perfect to add to my weeknight recipe rotation!