How do you make green beans with "southern flavor" like you get at restaurants in the south?

Question

They have a distinct and delicious flavor but I can't figure out what is in them.

Answer 1

my mom makes the best green beans, she puts bacon and cidar vinegar in hers, they're awesome!! and we're from ga, so definately southern!!!

Answer 2

You have just asked a question I could not refuse to answer. My whole family comes from the South, and I KNOW the answer. LOL Some of the restaurants there over cook their green beans though, I hope you mean from a good restaurant. This is from my family HOMEMADE, not restaurant style, and are TRUE green beans made by Southern women.

1/2 a pound fresh green beans, snap the ends off, and wash, strain
1/2 a pound bacon, cut in pieces (small squares)
1/2 a yellow onion, sliced length wise
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried sage leaves
salt (if needed)
pepper to taste
1 cup chicken broth

Cook the bacon (no oil) until it starts to crisp, dont brown it
Add the onion, and stir until they start to soften
add the garlic, herbs, and pepper (not the salt)
stir, add the broth, stir, then add the green beans, stir well
Cover the pot, and let cook on a low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, stiring occasionally. Remove the lid, and let any liquids evaporate. Stir again, a little juice is okay to leave with the beans.
Add salt in the end if neccessary (the bacon is very salty), you will know by tasting a bean.
Serve it with any roasted meat, or on rice, or simply alone as a side.
Wonderful!
Good Southern cooking to you!

Answer 3

Green Beans have to be cooked a long time ( slowly , maybe on med or low for about 3 hours if you are using the caned type you get in the store. Longer of they are fresh. I cook mine until the water is mostly cooked out, with a lid and also the ham hock or salt pork is the best flavoring, with salt and pepper and a little sugar of course. Some people add a little onion.

Answer 4

Well, here's how I cook green beans, and I learned from my Kentuckian mama. I won't swear that it's a "true" Southern recipe, but it sure makes for some good eating.

Snap the ends off the freshest green beans you can find, then cook the beans with half a chopped onion and a ham bone with some meat left on it.

When they are done (and I mean really, REALLY done), drain them well and let them dry, but save some of the cooking liquid. Pick the meat off the ham bone, and add the ham to the beans again.

Make a roux out of two tablespoons of butter and two tablespoons of flour, being sure to stir like a maniac until the mixture is nicely browned. Slowly add some of the bean liquid and cook until it's a good, thick consistency. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add the browned roux back to the beans and ham, being sure to mix well. If you want to be real fancy, you can add a sprinkle of oregano and a dash of garlic salt, but don't overdo it.

Answer 5

You want to buy canned green beans that are wide and flat. No fresh string or pole beans.


Add a little bacon grease, a few pieces of bacon that have been cut into pieces and slice an onion. Season with salt and pepper. Cook at a simmer for about 30 minutes.

Answer 6

I don't know about southern flavour but how about western flavour?
Add a dash of tacho seasoning in them. (if your a meat eater add a few drops meat grease) (I'm vegetarian) add a little
olive oil in them. ( alternate add a little anise seed and vanilla)
when you serve the green beens put out a little tartar sauce beside them.. some like that and some don't!
Some people just simply put a tad of melted cheese in them and thats it.
Fresh green beans are always better than canned or frozen! Sometimes we do have to make do with the latter!

Answer 7

I work in a large kitchen and we serve green beans also. You can NEVER go wrong with a little sliced onions a few strips of cooked bacon and seasoning salt. The key is to prepair them the night before and let all the juices marinate and cook the beans slowly. Goodluck.

Answer 8

Since I'm from the south and everyone likes my beans - heres what I do: First cook them in a pot big enough that they aren't to crowded.add a couple of slices of bacon , cut into small pieces.Add a small onion ( if you like them) salt & pepper after they are done.My secret ing. is a 1/2 to 1/2 teaspoon of sugar while they are cooking.

Answer 9

They are usually seasoned with ham or bacon, buy fresh green beans, snap off the ends and put in a pot of water with either hamhocks, or bacon or ham. then bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover cooking until the beans are tender, then you can season it to taste with salt and pepper

Answer 10

I was born in New Jersey, raised in Vermont and even before I became a chef, I always knew that EVERYTHING is better with BACON or pork fat!!! Not bad for a Dam Yankee :-D

Cured or smoked bacon or fat back will lend themselves nicely to this process. Cooking the beans SLOWLY is also important.... its too hot to do ANYTHING fast down here, so cook slow and with love, and EXTRA PORK FAT!!!!!!!

Answer 11

you have to smother the green beans down in a little cooking oil, (on the side boil potatoes), add salt and Cayenne pepper or creole seasoning, when your potatoes are soft you put the potatoes in the green beans. When you see the green beans start falling apart they are done. don't smash the potatoes cut them in pieces.