The Perfect Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes Recipe for Cozy Meals

Tender green beans nestled in a creamy, savory sauce dance alongside hearty smothered green beans with potatoes that promise pure comfort on a plate.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this soul-warming side dish that brings rustic charm to any meal.

Soft potatoes mingle with crisp green beans, creating a harmony of textures and flavors that speaks to home cooking traditions.

The rich, velvety sauce coats each vegetable, delivering a depth of taste that transforms a simple side into a memorable experience.

Generous seasonings add a robust character that makes this dish more than just a vegetable accompaniment.

Herbs and spices weave their magic, turning humble ingredients into a celebration of down-home cooking.

Let’s find out this recipe and savor a slice of culinary nostalgia that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 7

Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes Ingredients Guide

• Bacon: Adds rich, smoky depth and crispy texture to the dish, choose thick-cut for maximum flavor impact.
• Smoked Sausage: Excellent alternative to bacon, provides robust smokiness and hearty protein.

• Yellow Onion: Builds foundational sweetness and creates layered flavor profile, select firm onions with no soft spots.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent undertone that elevates overall dish complexity, choose fresh cloves for strongest taste.

• Green Beans: Brings crisp, vibrant green element and nutritional boost, pick fresh beans with smooth, unblemished surfaces.
• Red Potatoes: Offers creamy, starchy component that absorbs surrounding flavors, select medium-sized potatoes with smooth skin.

• Beef Broth: Creates rich cooking liquid that tenderizes ingredients and adds deep savory notes, low-sodium version allows better flavor control.
• Hot Sauce: Introduces subtle heat and tangy dimension, adjust quantity based on personal spice preference.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances dish flavors, use sparingly.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Provides gentle background heat and subtle spiciness.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, slightly sharp kick to complement other seasonings, freshly ground offers most vibrant taste.

Tools to Make Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes

• Dutch oven: Heavy-bottomed pot perfect for slow cooking and simmering.
• Sharp knife: Essential for chopping bacon, slicing onions, and quartering potatoes.
• Cutting board: Solid surface for all your chopping needs.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Measuring spoons: Help accurately add salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
• Colander: Optional for draining potatoes if needed.

How to Cook Smothered Green Beans and Potatoes

• Bacon Preparation

Crisp up salty bacon strips in a heavy pot, transforming them into crunchy golden bits. Remove bacon pieces but keep the delicious rendered fat sizzling.

• Aromatic Foundation

Slide sliced onions and minced garlic into the bacon drippings, letting them dance and soften until they become translucent and fragrant.

• Flavor Explosion

Return crispy bacon to the pot, adding vibrant green beans, a splash of zesty hot sauce, and a sprinkle of spicy seasonings. Pour rich beef broth over the mixture, creating a luscious pool that barely covers the vegetables.

• Slow Simmering

Cover and let the pot gently bubble, allowing flavors to meld together. After about 45 minutes, introduce chunky red potato quarters and continue cooking until vegetables become meltingly tender.

• Serving Magic

Remove from heat and transfer this rustic, smoky dish to a serving platter. Garnish with an extra dash of black pepper for a final flavor punch.

Add On Ideas for Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes

• Experiment with different bacon varieties like applewood-smoked or pepper-crusted to add unique flavor dimensions to your green bean dish.
• Adjust the heat level by playing with hot sauce quantities or swapping in different pepper types like jalapeño or serrano for a personalized spicy kick.
• Transform this recipe into a vegetarian delight by replacing bacon with smoked paprika and using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for deep, rich flavors.
• Elevate the dish with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley sprinkled on top just before serving to brighten the overall taste profile and add a fresh aromatic touch.
• Make this a complete meal by adding protein like diced chicken or sausage during the cooking process, turning it into a hearty, satisfying one-pot dinner that saves on cleanup time.

Serving Green Beans and Potatoes Family Style

• Southern Comfort Plate: Pair this hearty dish with warm buttermilk cornbread for soaking up those delicious bacon-infused broth flavors. The bread's soft texture perfectly complements the tender green beans and potatoes.
• Protein Power Pairing: Serve alongside grilled buttermilk chicken or slow-roasted pulled pork for a complete Southern-style meal that'll satisfy serious hunger pangs. The smoky green beans provide an incredible side that enhances the main protein.
• Fresh Finish Technique: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions just before serving to add a bright, crisp element that cuts through the rich, smoky bacon undertones. These fresh herbs will elevate the visual appeal and add a zesty note to the dish.
• Rustic Dinner Setting: Present in a large cast-iron skillet or wooden serving board for that authentic farmhouse feel. The rustic presentation makes the meal feel extra special and inviting, perfect for family gatherings or casual weekend dinners.

How to Store Leftover Smothered Green Beans and Potatoes

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Whip up a large pot of these smothered green beans and potatoes on weekends to enjoy quick, flavorful meals throughout the busy work week. Divide into meal-prep containers for grab-and-go lunches or easy dinner sides.
• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors will actually improve, becoming more rich and intense as they sit. Gently reheat in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture.
• Freezer-Friendly Fix: This dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Pack in freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly to keep the potatoes and green beans from getting mushy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep ingredients like chopped bacon, sliced onions, and trimmed green beans a day ahead to cut down on cooking time. Store prepped ingredients separately in the refrigerator to streamline your cooking process and reduce evening meal stress.

Savory Green Beans With Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic smothered green beans with potatoes combines Southern comfort cooking with hearty ingredients. Crisp green beans and tender potatoes meld into a comforting side dish you’ll savor alongside Sunday supper or weeknight meals.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680 g) fresh green beans (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 4 medium red potatoes (quartered)
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (or substitute smoked sausage)
• 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium beef broth
• ¼ cup sliced yellow onion
• 2 tsps minced garlic
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Additional black pepper (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp chopped bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until golden. Remove bacon pieces to a paper towel, preserving the rendered fat in the cooking vessel.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté sliced onions and minced garlic in bacon drippings until onions become translucent and soft, developing a rich flavor base.
3. Flavor Layering: Reintroduce crispy bacon to the pot, then add green beans, hot sauce, kosher salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper. Pour beef broth to completely cover the ingredients.
4. Simmering Process: Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 35-40 minutes. Occasionally stir to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
5. Potato Integration: Incorporate quartered red potatoes, slightly increasing heat to maintain a consistent simmer. Continue cooking for 20-25 minutes until potatoes reach desired tenderness and beans are perfectly wilted.
6. Final Touch: Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Sprinkle additional black pepper on top and serve immediately, showcasing the robust, smoky character of this rustic side dish.

Notes

• Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispier texture that adds depth to the green beans.
• Liquid Depth: Ensure green beans are fully covered by broth to guarantee even cooking and rich, infused taste throughout the dish.
• Potato Precision: Cut potatoes uniformly to promote consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Heat Management: Maintain a gentle simmer instead of rapid boiling to prevent green beans from becoming stringy and potatoes from breaking apart.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg