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When you need a comforting, flavorful side dish that practically cooks itself, nothing beats a pot of Easy Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon. Tender, savory, and simmered low and slow with broth, onions, garlic, and smoky bacon, this dish captures all the cozy Southern flavors with none of the effort. It’s the perfect weeknight side dish for busy days, but it’s also special enough for holidays, Sunday dinners, or potluck gatherings.
One of the best things about crock pot recipes is how simple they make dinner prep. These green beans require only a few minutes of chopping and assembling—then the slow cooker does the rest. As they cook, the green beans become ultra-tender, the bacon releases its savory richness, and the onions and garlic melt into the broth, creating a deeply flavored side that pairs beautifully with almost any main dish.
Whether you’re serving chicken, beef, pork, or a cozy casserole, these Crock Pot Green Beans fit right in. They bring warmth, nostalgia, and big flavor to the dinner table. And the best part? They’re incredibly easy, budget-friendly, and absolutely family-approved.
Why You’ll Love These Crock Pot Green Beans
🍳 Minimal Prep Work
Just chop, dump, and go. Perfect for weeknight dinners.
🥓 Bacon-Filled Flavor
Smoky bacon infuses every bite, giving it that classic Southern taste.
🥘 Foolproof Cooking
No stirring, no checking—just let the slow cooker work its magic.
🍽️ Great with Any Dinner
Roasted chicken, grilled pork, meatloaf, mashed potatoes—this side dish matches everything.
⏳ Great for Meal Prep
Makes a large batch, reheats beautifully, and stays tender for days.
Ingredients
For the Crock Pot Green Beans
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Optional Add-Ins
- Red pepper flakes for heat
- A splash of apple cider vinegar
- Potatoes (cut into cubes)
- Ham instead of bacon
Instructions
1. Prep the green beans
Trim ends and rinse well.
2. Cook the bacon
In a skillet, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Reserve 1–2 tbsp of bacon fat.
3. Add ingredients to the crock pot
Layer green beans, bacon (and fat), onions, garlic, butter, and seasonings.
4. Pour in broth
Add chicken broth so beans can simmer fully.
5. Slow cook
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until tender.
6. Stir & serve
Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve warm with extra bacon on top.
Easy Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon
Tender slow-cooked green beans simmered with smoky bacon, onions, garlic, and broth for a cozy dinner side dish.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook chopped bacon in a skillet until crisp; reserve 1–2 tbsp bacon fat.
- Add green beans, bacon, onions, garlic, butter, and seasonings to the crock pot.
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Stir, adjust seasonings, and serve warm.
Notes
Add potatoes for a heartier version. Use ham instead of bacon for variation.
Expert Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Green Beans
Use fresh green beans:
Frozen works too, but fresh beans hold their texture better.
Don’t skip cooking the bacon first:
It adds deeper flavor and prevents rubbery bacon pieces.
Use chicken broth, not water:
Broth adds savory richness to every bite.
For extra tenderness:
Cook an extra hour on low—Southern-style beans should be soft, not crisp.
Flavor Variations
🔥 Spicy Bacon Green Beans
Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes or cayenne.
🍯 Sweet & Smoky Version
Add 1 tsp brown sugar + pinch of paprika.
🍋 Lemon Garlic Green Beans
Add 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice before serving.
🥔 Southern Green Beans with Potatoes
Add cubed baby potatoes—cook fully in the broth.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Green Beans
- Grilled chicken
- Pork chops
- Meatloaf
- Mashed potatoes
- BBQ ribs
- Baked salmon
- Fried chicken
- Mac and cheese
This side dish is incredibly versatile—perfect for everyday dinners or big gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat:
Microwave or warm on the stovetop.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
The slow cooker turns simple ingredients into a dish bursting with flavor. The bacon seasons the beans, the onions melt into the broth, and everything cooks together into a tender, savory side dish that feels comforting and nostalgic.
If you need an easy dinner companion that tastes like it took hours of effort (but didn’t), this is it.
