Make this delicious, low-calorie side dish!
Southern style green beans have never tasted so good, and with this recipe, they’re healthier than ever! Here, tender, delicious green beans are flavored with sautéed onion, garlic, and a host of other bold spices. Traditionally, this southern comfort dish tastes incredible but carries a not-so-desirable nutritional profile (thanks to ingredients like butter and bacon.) Luckily for you, our guilt-free version ditches the high-calorie ingredients and incorporates nutritious alternatives, without skimping on taste!
Our Southern Style Green Beans Sub in Healthy Alternatives
Replacing that fatty ham hock with garden-fresh herbs turns this high calorie dish into a nourishing side that everyone will enjoy. At the same time, instead of butter, our recipe calls for extra virgin olive oil and vegetable broth. In the south, people like to cook their veggies all day long so that they’re nice and tender. This recipe does just that, but you don’t have to keep a constant eye on the dish! After prepping your southern style green beans, simply let your slow cooker work its magic and take over. 8 hours of simmering later, and your beans will taste like the old south!
Delicious and Waistline-Friendly
Clocking in at just 37 calories per serving, these scrumptious green beans will satisfy your appetite without wrecking your diet! Compared to traditional recipes, this skinny version shaves off a boatload of fat and calories without skimping on taste. Our family-friendly, southern-inspired dish makes eating your veggies easier than ever!
Slow Cooker Southern Style Green Beans
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon basil freshly chopped
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds snap green beans fresh or frozen, rinsed and strings removed
- 1 potato medium, peeled and diced
- 3 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth, low-sodium, fat-free
- kosher or sea salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium skillet saute onion and garlic on medium-low heat until tender, about 4 minutes. Add sauteed onion and garlic along with all other ingredients to the slow cooker. Recommend 5-7 quart slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 8 hours. Cooking time may vary depending on how tender you like your green beans. Southern-style green beans are typically cooked until they are falling apart.
Nutrition Information
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Have you tried our Southern Style Green Beans? We’d love to hear about it. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Love the garlic flavor in green beans 🙂
Love this recipe. Have made it several times, including last Friday with fresh beans from farmer's market, yum
This is my favorite. I picked some green beans from my garden this morning. I will prepare this dish tonight for dinner. I love fresh green beans and all of the veggies from the garden this time of year.
THANK YOU for this! It was unbelievably delicious! Southern green beans without the guilt!!!!!!!
Laura, I know, can you believe it? lol Before I came up with this recipe, I couldn't imagine green beans without some fat back or bacon.
I LOVED this recipe!!! Thank you so much and keep up the great work!
Imani, GREAT!!! Thanks so much. 🙂
These are delicious, I cooked them on the stove as I had a stew in the slow cooker. I do a lot of meal prep for the week ahead and it’s great having a tub of these ready in the fridge.
Thanks, Melissa! Glad you enjoyed!
Will the recipe be as good without the potato?
Yes, you can leave out the potato. You could substitute, sweet potato, carrots, parsnips, or any other root vegetable if you’d like!
Can you cook on high for fewer hours?
Yes, you can cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Do you have to add basil and can you use cubed broth?
You don’t have to add basil and cubed broth will work if liquid is unavailable.
Will this pair well with an Easter ham? I want a veggie side and love green beans, and also don’t want the added dose of salt that bacon would bring.
Gina, Definitely! Green beans and ham go perfectly together. I love the aroma of green beans in the slow cooker. 🙂
If I want to make this in an Instant Pot, how long do you think I should cook it?
Alysa,
Approximately as follows:
Add ingredients to bottom of pressure cooker.
Lock lid in place.
Close the steam valve.
Press the steam button and adjust the heat setting to normal.
Set the timer to 2 minutes.
Push the steam valve to open position and quick release the steam pressure.
Once the steam has released, open the lid and allow remaining steam to release.
I have made this a couple times, and it is very good! My question is: can anything be made using the leftover broth? I hate just throwing it out.
Hi Sammie, I personally would not save the broth. However, you can strain and save the broth to use a vegetable brother if you choose!
I need enough for about 30 people? Can I double the recipe in 1 6 QT slower cooker or do I have to use 2 6 QT slow cookers?
Hi Diane, it would be safer to use two slow cookers so the beans are not over crowded and cook unevenly.
Can you do this recipe with canned green beans?
Denise, You can used canned.
How long should this be cooked if you don’t want the green beans cooked to the point of falling apart? Will use a slow cooker on low.
If you prefer a little crunch try to use fresh beans and change the cook time to about 6 hours.