Southern-Style Green Beans with Bacon

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Style: Keto • Low-Carb • Savory • Comfort Food

These Southern-style green beans are slow-simmered with crispy bacon, garlic, onion, and chicken broth. The beans become tender and flavorful while the bacon adds a rich, smoky taste. This keto version skips brown sugar and keeps the carbohydrates low.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1/4 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth, preferably unsweetened
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon butter, optional
• 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, optional
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Green Beans

Wash the green beans and trim the stem ends. Cut them into smaller pieces if desired.

Pat them dry before cooking.

2. Cook the Bacon

Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp.

Transfer about half of the cooked bacon to a plate for garnishing later.

Leave approximately 1–2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan. If there is more than that, carefully remove some.

3. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.

4. Add the Green Beans

Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet and toss them with the bacon, onion, and garlic.

Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Season

Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and salt.

Pour in the chicken broth and stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

6. Simmer

Bring the broth to a gentle simmer.

Cover the skillet and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the green beans reach your preferred tenderness.

For very tender Southern-style beans, simmer a few minutes longer.

7. Finish the Dish

Remove the lid during the final 3–5 minutes of cooking and allow some of the broth to reduce.

Stir in the butter if using. For a subtle tang that balances the smoky bacon, add 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.

8. Serve

Transfer the green beans to a serving dish and sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon over the top.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

🥓 Keto Tips

• Choose unsweetened bacon when possible and check the label for added sugar.
• Use chicken broth without added sugar or starches.
• Don’t add brown sugar, honey, or regular barbecue sauce.
• Keep the onion portion modest because onions contribute more carbs than green beans.
• For extra richness, add another tablespoon of butter at the end.

🍽️ What to Serve With

These green beans pair especially well with:

• Keto fried chicken
• Grilled steak
• Garlic butter chicken
• Roasted pork chops
• Baked salmon
• Keto meatloaf
• Garlic butter shrimp

Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 220–250
Protein: 8–10 g
Fat: 17–20 g
Total Carbs: 9–11 g
Fiber: 4–5 g
Net Carbs: approximately 5–7 g