Nana's Famous Green Bean Recipe (2024)

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My Nana’s Famous Green Bean recipe! Made with just a handful of ingredients including bacon, this easy green bean recipe make a delicious addition to any meal! One of the most requested recipes from my family – year-round! Enjoy these tasty green beans with the ultimate Chicken Fried Steak and the BEST dinner rollsfor a family dinner you won’t forget!

Nana's Famous Green Bean Recipe (1)

Green Bean Recipe

Growing up, my Nana was my biggest supporter of my efforts in the kitchen. Almost every day after school I would go to her house and we would make something. Usually involving chocolate. My Nana had a sweet tooth just like me.

Green Beans with Bacon

So much of my time is spent developing new recipes that I often forget to share family recipes that totally rock my world. I’ve shared my Nana’s To-Die-For Carrot Cake, her Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crunch Balls and her Sausage Gravy and I just couldn’t wait another day to share this one with you all.

One of my Nana’s recipes that is near and dear to my heart is Nana’s famous green beans. My Nana would serve up these mouth-watering green beans for all sorts of special occasions.

What my Nana never realized was how much more special each of those occasions became with the addition of her famous green beans to the menu.

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Nana's Famous Green Bean Recipe (2)

Fresh Green Bean Recipes

I’m always on this lookout for fresh green bean recipes or string beans recipe because that is one of my favorites to grow in the garden each summer.

We love to make these green beans in the slow cooker too.

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Can I Add Potato?

You’ll notice that in my slow cooker version of this recipe above, I have potatoes in with the green beans. That’s something that my Nana would do on occasion and I love the additional flavor and texture the potatoes add to this side dish.

They also help to stretch it when needed.

You can absolutely add potatoes to this dish – you really only need one russet, diced. Stir it in with the green beans.

Green Bean Recipe Ingredients

Four ingredients you guys. That’s it. Each plays a critical role so don’t leave any of them out!

  • Fresh green beans – canned green beans can also be “doctored” up using this recipe
  • Bacon
  • Onion
  • Chicken broth or water (use the broth os stock if you can)

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To this day, they are frequently requested and often enjoyed throughout the year by my family. They never fail to make it to my sister’s birthday dinner, our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and any other time we have fresh green beans available.

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What Makes These Green Beans the Best?

The beans are cooked with bacon and onions for as long as possible until they become so tender and flavorful that it’s hard to resist snatching one or two each time you check on them. Green bean recipes with bacon are the BEST because the smokiness of the bacon adds so much flavor to the dish.

We frequently serve a “real” vegetable or salad with these green beans because they are just too good to count. My Nana’s Green Beans will be served at our Thanksgiving meal and again at Christmas this year, and every year.

Enjoy!

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More Must Make Side Dishes

  1. Twice Baked Potatoes
  2. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
  3. Best Ever Broccoli Salad
  4. Best Ever Cranberry Sauce – just read the reviews!
  5. The Best Turkey Gravy recipe – complete with all my tips and tricks for silky smooth gravy
  6. Stuffing Recipe with Sausage Cranberries and Apples

How To Make The Best Green Beans

Nana's Famous Green Bean Recipe (7)

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4.98 from 92 votes

My Nana’s Famous Green Beans

My Nana's Famous Green Beans! One of the most requested recipes from my family - year-round! Made with just a handful of ingredients, this easy green bean recipe make a delicious addition to any meal!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword green bean recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 146kcal

Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 6 slices of bacon
  • 2 pounds of rinsed and trimmed fresh green beans
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water
  • salt and pepper to taste I usually don't add salt because the bacon is plenty salty

Instructions

  • Cut the bacon into small pieces and cook over medium heat in a heavy 3 qt saucepan until the bacon is fully rendered.

  • DO NOT remove any of the bacon grease - it's what makes these green beans so amazing!

  • Add the onions and saute with bacon until transparent.

  • Add green beans and pepper and stir making sure the bacon drippings are getting mixed in well.

  • Add chicken broth and reduce heat to low.

  • Cover and continue cooking the green beans for 30 minutes up to two hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure there is liquid in the bottom of your pot so that the beans don’t get scorched.

  • Check for seasoning levels and add salt and pepper if necessary.

  • Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1045IU | Vitamin C: 23.5mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Originally published November 22, 2013.

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Nana's Famous Green Bean Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are green beans good for diabetics? ›

Green beans are a diabetes-friendly vegetable due to their low glycemic index and high fiber content. The low glycemic index means they have a minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Additionally, the fiber in green beans slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, helping to stabilize blood glucose levels.

What do green beans do for your body? ›

The vegetable helps fight inflammation and is a good source of folate and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Green beans also are a good source of protein and fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, Vadiveloo said. "Fiber is underconsumed by U.S. adults and children, and it's good for gut health," she said.

How to make Paula Deen green beans? ›

Add green beans to pan and sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add boiling water to pan and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, just until beans are tender. Add vinegar, butter and salt and pepper and stir.

Is it better to steam or boil fresh green beans? ›

Steaming is a simple way to cook vegetables, and it leaves the flavor and much of the nutrients intact. It's slightly healthier than boiling since fewer nutrients end up in the water. Plus, steaming requires little time and attention. A steamer basket is a great kitchen tool to have on hand.

What is the number one vegetable to lower blood sugar? ›

Still, this nonstarchy cruciferous vegetable has many more benefits to offer, particularly around lowering blood sugar levels. If you have prediabetes or diabetes, keep reading to discover why broccoli is our top veggie choice for helping with blood sugar management.

What is the healthiest bean for a diabetic? ›

Kidney, pinto, navy or black beans are packed with vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and potassium. They are very high in fiber too. Beans do contain carbohydrates, but ½ cup also provides as much protein as an ounce of meat without the saturated fat.

What happens if you eat green beans every day? ›

May Improve Your Heart Health

These compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties, which protect blood vessel walls and aid in preventing blood clot formation. 7 Therefore, a daily serving of green beans may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Which is healthier, green beans or broccoli? ›

Broccoli is a great source of Vitamin K and calcium. Green bean has more alpha-carotene than broccoli, however, broccoli contains more lutein + zeaxanthin than green bean. Both green bean and broccoli are high in Vitamin C, dietary fiber and potassium. Broccoli has more pantothenic acid.

What happens if you eat beans everyday? ›

In conclusion, beans are a versatile and incredibly nutritious food that can benefit both your body and mind. Regular consumption of beans has been linked to a reduced risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, while also aiding in controlling blood sugar levels and promoting digestive health.

How to fancy up green beans? ›

15 Tips To Add Flavor To Green Beans
  1. Roast green beans. ...
  2. Blanch green beans and add butter. ...
  3. Grill green beans and serve with yogurt. ...
  4. Simmer green beans in chicken broth. ...
  5. Air fry green beans and add garlic powder. ...
  6. Roast in bacon fat and combine with bacon. ...
  7. Jazz them up with cream. ...
  8. Mix green beans into mac and cheese.
Feb 12, 2023

How to cook green beans Jamie Oliver? ›

Put a pan of salted water on to boil. Meanwhile, trim the the beans. Once the water is boiling, steam or boil the beans until tender. Drain well, then tip the cooked beans into the bowl with your dressing and toss everything together, making sure all the beans get coated.

Why are my fresh green beans tough after cooking? ›

On a cooking note, regarding tough green beans, you may be undercooking them.

How to cook beans on the stove? ›

Place soaked beans in a large pot; cover with fresh water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until beans are tender but firm. Most beans will cook in 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the variety. Periodically, try a taste test or mash a bean against the side of the pot with a fork or spoon.

Why are my green beans rubbery? ›

Undercooked green beans are rubbery; overcooked are mushy. If you are boiling beans, simply begin tasting them after a few minutes. At first you will have a hard time biting through them. As the texture softens, the green beans are closer to being perfectly cooked.

What vegetables have no sugar? ›

Mushrooms, spinach, kale, soybean sprouts, celery, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, radishes, and asparagus are among the vegetables with the lowest sugar content available. Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. They're also an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Are bell peppers good for diabetics? ›

Reduced risk of diabetes.

High-fiber foods, such as bell peppers, slow down how quickly sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream. Vitamin C may also help reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, though this was studied with supplements and not with bell peppers.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.

Are tomatoes diabetic friendly? ›

About 140 grams of tomato has a GI of less than 15, which makes it a low GI food and an excellent food for diabetics. Any food that has a GI score lower than 55 is good for diabetics. Tomatoes also have low-calories, which help you keep your weight in check. Diabetics often face a lot of problems with their weight.

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