The Perfect Smothered Green Beans With Potatoes Recipe For Comfort

Smothered green beans with potatoes convert ordinary ingredients into a soul-warming culinary experience that whispers of home and heritage.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this rustic dish’s magical ability to turn simple vegetables into something extraordinary.

Hearty and rich, these green beans carry deep layers of flavor that dance between smoky and tender sensations.

Crispy bacon weaves its salty magic through soft potatoes and bright green vegetables, creating a symphony of textures.

Each forkful tells a story of tradition, comfort, and the kind of cooking that nourishes both body and spirit.

Generations have gathered around tables, sharing laughter and love over this unpretentious yet remarkable side dish.

What to Pair with Smothered Green Beans and Potatoes

• Pair with Smoky Southern Comfort: Serve this hearty dish alongside a crisp, cold glass of sweet tea or a light amber ale to complement the bacon's richness and balance the spicy undertones.
• Match with Meaty Companions: Grilled barbecue chicken or slow-roasted pulled pork work perfectly, echoing the smoky bacon flavors and providing a robust protein partner.
• Enhance with Creamy Contrast: A cool, tangy buttermilk coleslaw or creamy ranch potato salad will cut through the dish's spiciness and provide a refreshing side that balances the warm, intense green bean mixture.
• Complete with Cornbread Companion: A slice of warm, slightly sweet cornbread will soak up the delicious broth and add a traditional Southern touch that rounds out the meal's bold flavors.

Unique Additions to Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes You Should Try

• Smoky Cajun Style: Replace beef broth with chicken stock and add Cajun seasoning for a zesty southern flavor profile. Incorporate andouille sausage instead of bacon for extra spice and depth.
• Vegetarian Green Bean Comfort: Swap bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth. Add mushrooms for umami and replace meat with plant-based protein like tempeh or roasted chickpeas for hearty texture.
• Mediterranean Herbed Version: Substitute beef broth with white wine and add fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Include kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired touch. Swap red potatoes with fingerling potatoes for a more rustic feel.
• Creamy Garlic Parmesan Edition: Stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese in the final cooking stage. Sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top for crunch and garnish with fresh parsley for brightness and color.

Why Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes Deserve a Spot on Your Table

• Flavor Explosion: Bacon transforms ordinary green beans into a mouthwatering dish with smoky, crispy notes and a spicy kick from hot sauce and crushed red pepper.
• One-Pot Wonder: This recipe simplifies cooking by using a single Dutch oven, reducing cleanup time and creating layers of rich, interconnected flavors through strategic ingredient layering.
• Hearty Comfort Food: Packed with tender potatoes, protein-rich bacon, and nutritious green beans, this dish offers a balanced meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.
• Low-Calorie Satisfaction: At just 250 calories per serving, this recipe delivers incredible taste and fullness without heavy guilt, making it perfect for health-conscious food lovers.

Everything Inside Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes

• Bacon: Crispy, flavorful base that adds smoky depth to the dish, look for thick-cut for best texture.

• Green Beans: Tender green vegetable with fresh, earthy flavor, choose fresh or frozen without ice crystals.
• Onions: Sweet base that softens and adds rich flavor, select firm yellow or white onions.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides sharp, pungent taste, choose fresh cloves for best flavor.
• Red Potatoes: Creamy, waxy potatoes that hold shape well during cooking, pick smooth and firm specimens.

• Hot Sauce: Adds spicy kick and tangy flavor, choose your preferred heat level.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out natural flavors, use coarse variety.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Provides additional heat and subtle warmth, adjust to personal spice preference.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds sharp, slightly spicy note, freshly ground offers best flavor.
• Beef Broth: Creates rich liquid base for braising, provides deep meaty undertones.

How to Make Smothered Green Beans and Potatoes Just Right

Step 1: Crisp Up Bacon

Chop bacon and sizzle in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon from pot, leaving the flavorful bacon fat behind.

• Bacon

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Add sliced onions and minced garlic to the bacon fat. Cook until onions become soft and translucent.

• Onions
• Garlic

Step 3: Build Flavor Profile

• Green beans
• Hot sauce
• Kosher salt
• Crushed red pepper
• Ground black pepper

Pour beef broth to cover green beans. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, cover, and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Add Potatoes

Introduce quartered red potatoes to the mix. Increase heat slightly and simmer for 25 minutes until potatoes are tender.

• Red potatoes

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from heat and serve hot. Optional: Sprinkle extra black pepper on top for added kick.

Tips to Get Maximum Flavor in Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes

• Bacon Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture that will elevate the entire dish.
• Broth Boost: Use homemade beef broth or a low-sodium store-bought version to control salt levels and enhance the overall depth of flavor.
• Potato Perfection: Cut potatoes into uniform quarters to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the dish.
• Spice Adjustment: Customize the heat level by increasing or decreasing hot sauce and crushed red pepper according to your personal spice tolerance.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Consider garnishing with fresh chopped parsley or chives right before serving to add a bright, fresh element to the rich, smoky green bean preparation.

How to Store and Reheat Smothered Green Beans Without Mushiness

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover green beans and potatoes to an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the bacon separate to maintain its crispy texture.
• Reheating: Warm the dish gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent the green beans from becoming mushy. Add a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture and prevent sticking. Stir occasionally and heat until the vegetables are warmed through completely. If the mixture seems dry, drizzle a little extra broth to restore its original saucy consistency.
• Freezing: While possible, the texture might change slightly due to the potatoes and green beans. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Smothered Green Beans With Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets rustic charm in Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes, a hearty side dish brimming with bold flavors. Slow-simmered until tender, these beans merge creamy potatoes and smoky bacon into a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor down to the last comforting bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs fresh green beans (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 4 medium red potatoes (quartered)
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (or substitute smoked sausage)

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup sliced yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)

Liquid:

• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• Additional black pepper (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Render chopped bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crisp. Transfer the bacon pieces to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat in the cooking vessel.
2. Sauté sliced onions and minced garlic in the bacon drippings, cooking until the onions become soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Return the crispy bacon to the pot and introduce fresh green beans, hot sauce (/ 15 milliliters), kosher salt (/ 5 grams), crushed red pepper flakes (/ 1 gram), and freshly ground black pepper (/ 0.5 grams).
4. Pour beef broth (/ 473 milliliters) into the pot, ensuring the green beans are fully submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 35-40 minutes, stirring intermittently.
5. Add quartered red potatoes (about / 454 grams) to the pot, increasing heat slightly to maintain a consistent simmer. Continue cooking for an additional 20-25 minutes until potatoes reach desired tenderness.
6. Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of black pepper and serve hot, enjoying the rich, smoky flavors of this hearty side dish.

Notes

• Craft this hearty Southern-style dish when craving comfort food with bold, smoky flavors that warm your soul.
• Bacon fat transforms ordinary green beans into a mouthwatering side dish bursting with incredible depth and richness.
• Choose fresh, crisp green beans and waxy red potatoes for the most authentic and satisfying texture.
• Low and slow cooking method ensures tender vegetables infused with incredible bacon and spice complexity.
• Smart meal prep tip: Chop ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 480mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 20mg