Southern Green Beans

There’s nothing quite like a pot of Southern Green Beans simmering on the stove — warm, hearty, and full of flavor. This recipe is the perfect comfort side dish for busy weeknights or family dinners, with tender green beans, soft red potatoes, and smoky turkey that come together in one pot. It’s easy to make, simple to customize, and guaranteed to taste like home.

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Southern Green Beans

Why You'll Love This Southern Green Beans Recipe

• Quick prep: Only 15 minutes of prep time — the rest simmers while you do other things.

• One-pot simplicity: Everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup fast and easy

• Hearty and filling: Potatoes and smoked turkey make this a complete, satisfying side

• Family-friendly flavor: Mild, smoky, and comforting — everyone at the table will love it

• Make-ahead friendly: The flavor actually gets better the next day, perfect for meal prep or gatherings

• Nutritious comfort food: Packed with green beans, lean protein, and real ingredients

• Budget-conscious: Uses affordable, accessible pantry staples that stretch to feed a crowd

• Perfect for busy schedules: Minimal attention needed after it starts simmering — just set it and forget it

Cooking Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh green beans when possible: they’ll hold texture better than canned or frozen

• Simmer low and slow for the best flavor; rushing it won’t let the turkey fully season the broth

• Don’t skip the potatoes: they absorb all that smoky broth and help thicken the dish naturally

• Skim fat as needed while simmering if using turkey wings or ham hocks for a cleaner broth

• Let it rest covered for 10 minutes before serving — it deepens the flavor and makes the texture perfect

Southern Green Beans Recipe

Prep: 15 mins. | Cook: 45 mins. | Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 6-8 c. water

• 6 smoked turkey necks or wings (or ham hocks)

• 1/2 c. white onion, finely chopped

• 1-1/2 T. chicken bouillon powder

• 1 lbs. medium red potatoes, quartered

• 2 lbs. green beans, stemmed and halved

• 1 T. black pepper

Let's Get Started!

1. Use a large Dutch oven or pot, over high heat combine water and turkey and bring to a boil.*Turn the heat to a low boil, cover and cook for up to 2 hours. After the 2 hours, add more water if needed to cover the turkey, then add onions and bouillon powder and stir to combine.

2. Add in the potatoes and green beans, cover and cook on low boil until the potatoes are tender and the green beans are soft (about 45 minutes).Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat but leave the pot covered.

3. Pull the turkey from the pot and set aside to cool. Pull the meat from the turkey, discarding the skin and bones, then add the meat back to the pot with the green beans. Serve hot