Traditional Country Green Beans Recipe: The Perfect Comfort Side Dish!

Photo byAngie Bright

Country Green Beans are a time-honored dish that brings the warm flavors of home-cooked comfort food to the table. Whether you're cooking for a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to be a hit. With its savory blend of smoked turkey, green beans, and a touch of seasoning, it embodies the heart and soul of traditional cooking. These beans aren't just a side dish; they’re packed with the flavors of slow-cooked meats, rich broth, and spices that come together for a satisfying meal.

The magic of Country Green Beans lies in their simplicity. Green beans, fresh and crisp, form the foundation of this dish. When combined with a smoked turkey or your favorite seasoning meat, the beans absorb the savory flavors as they simmer slowly in a rich chicken broth. The addition of yellow onion and garlic gives the dish its aromatic base, while seasoning salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and a splash of vinegar add layers of flavor, creating a balance of tangy and spicy undertones.

This is the kind of dish that sits simmering on the stove, filling your kitchen with the smells of home and tradition. The long cooking process ensures that the beans are tender and infused with the deep, smoky flavor of the turkey. And for those who love a little extra comfort, adding potatoes during the last half hour of cooking gives the dish a hearty boost.

Country Green Beans Recipe

Ingredients:

• Green beans – Look for bright green, firm beans at the store. Snap the ends and rinse well.
• Smoked turkey or your favorite seasoning meat
• Chicken broth
• Yellow onion and garlic
• Seasoning salt and black pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes and vinegar to taste
• Lard or cooking oil

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of lard or oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the smoked turkey (or your chosen seasoning meat), along with the onion and garlic, to the pot. Sauté until the meat is browned and the onion softens.
3. Pour in enough chicken broth to fully cover the meat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for an hour.
4. After the meat has simmered, add the green beans to the pot, along with seasoning salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and vinegar to taste. Stir everything together.
5. If needed, pour in more chicken broth to ensure the beans are fully covered.
6. Continue to simmer the beans for another hour and a half, until they are tender and full of flavor.
7. Carefully remove the smoked turkey or meat from the pot, allowing it to cool slightly before pulling the meat off the bones and returning it to the beans.
8. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, and if desired, add potatoes during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
9. Serve the green beans warm as a side or even as a main dish with some fresh bread or cornbread.

The key to this recipe is patience. The long simmer allows the flavors to develop fully, making every bite of these Country Green Beans a true delight. Whether it's the smoky richness of the turkey or the spicy kick from the red pepper flakes and vinegar, this dish brings comfort and warmth to any meal.

Country Green Beans are perfect for gatherings, holiday feasts, or even just a simple family dinner. The savory taste and rich texture make it a versatile dish that pairs well with many main courses. Plus, it's easy to make in large quantities, making it an ideal choice for feeding a crowd.

Here are some sources for making Country Green Beans, particularly with smoked turkey, which is a popular and flavorful variation:

1. Divas Can Cook provides a detailed recipe for Soul Food Green Beans, emphasizing the use of smoked turkey legs to create a rich, savory broth. The recipe suggests cooking the green beans for about 2 hours, letting the flavors fully develop, and includes tips for adding garlic, onions, and a touch of red pepper for heat​Divas Can Cook.
2. I Heart Recipes offers a recipe for Southern Green Beans with Smoked Turkey, featuring a long simmer to extract all the flavor from the turkey. The use of stewed tomatoes in this variation adds a unique flavor profile to the dish, creating a deep, rich broth​I Heart Recipes.
3. Philly Jay Cooking suggests using turkey necks as a substitute for smoked turkey legs, and also gives tips on preparing the beans by snapping them into smaller pieces. This helps the beans absorb more flavor while cooking​Philly Jay Cooking.

These sources provide valuable insights on how to enhance the flavor of green beans with smoked turkey and seasoning, making this a standout dish for any occasion. You can check out their full recipes and additional cooking tips on their respective websites.