Thanksgiving is undeniably centered around a large turkey, but it feels lacking without accompaniments. To enhance your Thanksgiving spread and take it to the next level, you should definitely try this simple slow cooker green beans recipe. It not only complements turkey beautifully but also bursts with wonderful flavors.Â
I personally find side dishes to be the most enjoyable part of any meal. They offer a canvas for your creativity and can significantly enhance your dining experience. This is why selecting your side dishes thoughtfully is just as crucial as choosing your main course. Â
So, here I present to you a fantastic side dish recipe that will elevate your Thanksgiving feast. To prepare this slow cooker green beans recipe, you will require green beans, chicken broth, yellow onion, bacon, salt, and pepper.
This dish is extremely simple to put together. It only takes about ten minutes to gather all the ingredients, and then you can leave it to slowly cook in the slow cooker. For this recipe, we emphasize the use of fresh green beans. Nevertheless, you can also prepare this dish using canned beans.Â
If you opt for canned beans, remember that they will require less cooking time. Let’s delve into this delectable slow cooker green beans recipe.
Other Thanksgiving Dishes Worth Sampling
- Maple Bourbon Smash
- Cranberry Spice Cocktail
- Buttermilk Spoon Bread
- Scalloped Oysters
- Baked Brie With Pecans
- Roasted Parsnips And Carrots
- Sweet Potato Rolls
- Pear Pie
- Pecan Cheesecake Pie
- Smoked Turkey Breast
Essential Tools for Cooking Slow Cooker Green BeansÂ
- Slow Cooking Device – A slow cooker is indispensable for preparing green beans.
- Turner – A turner or ladle will assist in mixing the ingredients.
- Container – A container is essential for washing and storing the green beans before trimming.
- Chopping Board – Use a chopping board to lay out the green beans while trimming.
- Non-Stick Cooking Grease – You will require cooking spray to prevent sticking in the slow cooker.
Time Required for Preparing Slow Cooker Green BeansÂ
| Preparation Time | Cooking Period | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Minutes | 6 Hours | 6 hours 10 minutes |
Required Ingredients for Preparing Slow Cooker Green Beans
- Green Beans – The primary component in the slow cooker green beans recipe are green beans. You will need two pounds of green beans to serve 6-8 individuals. Before adding the beans to the cooker, ensure they are thoroughly washed and trimmed.
- Bacon – This recipe for slow cooker green beans includes authentic crumbled bacon, imparting a smoky touch to the dish. Utilize 2.8 ounces or ¾ cup of actual bacon pieces.Â
- Onions – Onions boost the flavor of dishes significantly with their distinct sharpness. While there are numerous varieties available, each offering a unique taste, this recipe uses half-sliced yellow onions for a mild yet flavorful addition.
- Chicken Broth – For cooking the green beans, two cups of chicken broth are necessary. This will infuse delightful flavors into the dish, enriched with herbs, spices, and seasonings.
- Salt – A trio of teaspoons of kosher salt is utilized to harmonize the savory notes.
- Pepper – Incorporating half a teaspoon of black pepper will introduce a subtle heat to the dish.
Guidelines for Creating Slow Cooker Green BeansÂ
1. Setting Up the Slow Cooker
Give your slow cooker a light coating of non-stick cooking spray to prevent ingredients from sticking.Ã la base.
2. Prepare The Legumes
Transfer haricots verts to a crockpot. Mix in chicken broth, onion, salt, pepper, and half of the bacon pieces in your slow cooker. Cover and simmer on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours until the legumes become tender to your preference. Stir the legumes a few times while cooking. Serve the slow-cooked green beans garnished with the remaining bacon pieces.
How To Cut Green Beans?
Fresh green beans are firm and break when bent in half. Before incorporating them into any recipe, we should trim off the hard ends of the green beans and also remove the fibrous strip along the edge of each bean, if desired. Â
Fresh green beans come with sturdy ends attached. These ends don’t provide a pleasant texture. Hence, dividing each bean in half or thirds helps in quicker cooking. Additionally, they become more convenient to eat.Â
Whole beans look visually appealing, and you may come across them served whole at eateries. However, to use them whole, only young beans should be chosen as they are simpler to chew.
When using mature green beans, it’s preferable to trim the ends. This can be done by using your thumb and forefinger to eliminate and discard about ¼ inch of the pointed ends on each side of the green beans. Additionally, you can break the green beans in half using your hands.Â
While the aforementioned method works well for a small batch, you can utilize kitchen scissors to trim and cut a larger green bean quantity. This approach proves to be a less fatiguing process.
Can You Use Frozen Green Beans?
Indeed, frozen green beans can be utilized to prepare this dish. However, ensure to use frozen extra fine whole green beans. Also, bear in mind that frozen beans might require a slightly longer cooking time.Â
Can You Use Canned Green Beans?
Yes, canned green beans can be used. Nevertheless, you will need to significantly reduce the cooking time as canned green beans are already soft. However, this would also imply that your beans will absorb fewer flavors as they don’t need as much time as fresh green beans do.
How To Prepare Slow Cooker Green Beans Vegetarian
To make this vegetarian dish, you can eliminate bacon from your list of ingredients and use olive oil to sauté the onions and garlic. Moreover, you can switch the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
Nutritional Information
| Calories | 103 kcal |
| Fat | 3 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 2 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 12 grams |
| Protein | 9 grams |
| Fiber | 4 gram |
| Cholesterol | 20 milligrams |
| Sodium | 1860 milligrams |
| Potassium | 349 milligrams |
| Sugar | 6 grams |
| Calcium | 63 milligrams |
| Iron | 2 milligrams |
| Vitamin C | 19 milligram |
| Vitamin A | 1046IU |
How Will The Slow Cooker Green Beans Look And Taste Like?Â
After going through the slow cooker green beans recipe, you may be curious about the appearance of this dish. So, here’s what you can expect. Slow-cooked green beans evoke memories of the classic green beans our grandmothers used to prepare.
This dish is visually appealing, with green beans garnished with bacon pieces. In terms of taste, the green beans have a soft texture. The beans absorb delightful flavors of bacon, onions, and savory chicken broth.Â
Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe
This simple Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe is one of our preferred side dishes! It’s brimming with irresistible flavor and requires just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes of preparation.
Lightly coat your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent your ingredients from sticking to the base.
Transfer green beans to a slow cooker. Mix in chicken broth, onion, salt, pepper, and half of the bacon pieces in your slow cooker.
Cover and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours until the beans reach the desired tenderness.
Stir the beans occasionally while cooking.
Present the slow-cooked green beans topped with the remaining bacon pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What ingredients do we require to prepare slow-cooker green beans?
To make slow cooker green beans, you will need green beans, bacon, onion, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
How much time is required to cook green beans in a slow cooker?
Slow cooker green beans take 6-8 hours to cook on low and 4-6 hours on medium heat.
Is it possible to overcook beans in a slow cooker?
Green beans can become overcooked in a slow cooker if left on high heat. Green beans should be cooked on low for about 6-8 hours. It’s also advisable to stir them every 30-60 minutes.
Conclusion
Slow-cooked green beans are always well-received, and they serve as the ideal simple side dish to prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Give this recipe a try and share your feedback in the comments below. If you’re planning to cook a festive meal this holiday season, explore our recipes section for delightful holiday special recipes.
