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How to make southern  soul food style green beans, bacon, and potatoes in the slow cooker!
A few years ago I uploaded a recipe for southern green beens and potatoes. I believe that in that recipe I used ham to flavor up everything. So many of you loved the recipe that I decided to share my southern green beans, bacon, and potatoes recipe. The two recipes are really similar. However this time we’re going to add some smokey bacon ends to flavor up this southern style dish.
Unlike the previous recipe, we’re going to cook these southern green beans in the slow cooker. This will make everything super easy! I cook the green beans, bacon, and potatoes on high ( in the slow cooker) for 4 hours. Once done, the green beans are super tender & flavorful. This southern dish is a meal on it’s own, but if you’d like to add something on the side, I suggest cornbread.
FYI, If don’t eat pork you can replace the bacon ends with a smoked turkey wing. It would still be delicious. Also, You can use golden potatoes instead of baby reds, but I wouldn’t use russet potatoes because they become to mushy in my opinion!
Watch how I made this delicious southern dish!

Southern Green Beans, Bacon, and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 16 oz bag of frozen green beans
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 large jalapeno pepper chopped ( optional)
- 1 lb bacon ends chopped
- 1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 lb baby red potatoes cut in halves or quarters
- 3 cups chicken broth.
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into the slow cooker.
- Turn the slow cooker on high.
- Place the lid on top, and let cook for 4 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
This meal looks absolutely delicious. You are so right about having this with cornbread! I’m going to have to look for bacon ends….not familiar with this product. Pinned. Thanks for sharing! Take care. ;-D
Hi Mary! When shopping for bacon ends look near the smoked meats ( ham hocks, smoked neck bones… and etc)
Thanks for the suggestion! xoxo
Thank you Rosie! This recipe is AMAZING. I used it as a guide for my first” fresh “green beans. They were a HIT. I knew one 16 oz bag wouldn’t be enough for my male’s appetites , so I made 64 oz!…and quadrupled the measurements LOL. I also used made your sweet corn Bread and yum. I appreciate you sharing and making us non chefs look like we know what we’re doing!Keep the recipes a comin please.Much love,
DeSean#She#Her
Can I use regular bacon? Raw or do I fry it first?
Hi Megan. Be sure to check out the written recipe, and video.
Tried the green beans & potatoes. Loved them so good. What about a good. old fashion. meatloaf recipe
Looks fabulous. I’m on restricted fat diet so I would cook the bacon ahead and at it in later. I will add healthy smoked sausage. The jalapeño pepper is a must have! And cast iron cornbread Thank you for sharing
Thanks for coming by Muriel! 😀
I love using my crockpots for easy meals. Thanks Rosie!
Hi Joanne! I have a ton more slow cooker meals coming so stay tuned!
Can I used water instead of chicken broth
Yes you can. You’ll probably need to add more seasoning.
If you use fresh string beans, is it the same time?
Yes. It would be the same.
Hi Rosie,I am a single mature man that love good food,everyone of your recipes that I have prepared I have loved them…would you please excuse me and tell your dear husband…that I love you and your recipes…thank-you!
Thanks so much Louis!
Rosie,I made the Ciroc Peach Cobbler for dinner last night and my family LOVE it.Thank you so much for this recipe and all of the others.God bless you keep it up.Love Gloria.
Hi Gloria! Thanks for trying my recipe! XOXO
Made this today. Reminded me of my granny’s green bean dinners. Very delicious. Will make again.
Awesome Monica! I’m glad that you liked the recipe! XOXO
My goodness! I never thought of using frozen green beans and a crockpot? Girlfriend.you have changed my life…lol. Just made this, with some hot water cornbread….yummy for my tummy…lol. Bless you!
Lol! Glad that you liked the recipe!
Just finished my green beans fresh cooked in pressure cooker will do slow cooker next time. Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks for coming by!
I’m going to try this with smoked turkey! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Looks so yummy!!! Gosh my fiancée and I are going to be so fat by Christmas lol I know one thing though, you give me an idea of what to cook every week and it’s so delicious everytime. Can you do a simple cake recipe? I would love to try that, but I don’t like looking g at other channels but yours :))
Hi there! Sure, I’ll upload some more cake recipes 🙂
Thank you so much! Will look forward to them.
Could you made a good beef and vegetables soup
I’ll add it to my to-do list.
Is there a way to make this recipe without a crock pot?
Absolutely. You can make it on the stovetop.
Hi! If you’re going to use fresh green beans with turkey wings, what ratio would you recommend? Like how many wings per pound of green beans? Thanks so much!
It would be the same recipe.
Hello (Mrs. Ms, Miss) lol, Do you have any recipe that a diabetic person can use and a person that need to watch there weight and cholesterol?I know one is to move away from the table .lol Will be a big help for my family. Your food look sooooo gooood. thanks
Hi Vicky! I will have a variety of healthier recipes in 2017.
I have the same interests re: diabetic cooking. How do I sign up for your page>
Bettye Morgan
Cleveland
Hi Bettye. There is a signup form on the top in red.
Hi Rosie,
Love your tutorials .I enjoy cooking and sharing meals with family and friends. I most especially like that you develop recipes which are for more than 4 people ! (: In reference to the southern green been and potato dish, can I use canned green beans and, if so, for how long in the slow cooker?
Hi Paulette! I don’t suggest using canned green beans 🙂
Hello, quick question, can this recipe be used with canned green beans or not?
I honestly wouldn’t use canned with this because canned already has salt, and etc.
Can the ingredients be doubled in a large crockpot for a family gathering?
Yes, they can.
would you need to double the liquid?? seems like a lot
If you double the recipe, you will have to double everything.
Do you have to use frozen green beans?
Hi Elonda! Nope, you can certainly use fresh green beans if you choose 🙂
Can you use Turkey Bacon instead?
Yes, you can 🙂
I am just now seeing this recipe. I can’t wait to try it, along with your others that sounds so good. So happy I found you. Crock pot cooking is the best for a working lady! Thanks
Hey Rosie,
I’m making this today! Along with the oven cooked BBQ ribs and Mac n cheese and cornbread. Can’t wait!
What can be used in place of the chicken broth? Perhaps butter (diluted w/water)? Thanks!!
You can also use vegetable broth.
I’ve been looking for this recipe for so long. What if we don’t have a slow cooker?
You can cook it over the stovetop over low heat 😉
I would like to see a recipe for dressing.
Thanks
Hi Lorna! I have several dressing recipes posted. Here is my latest dressing recipe.
Could I use liquid smoke in place of the bacon? If so, how much?
Hi Abri! Absolutely. Try 2 tsp of liquid smoke.
Happy cooking!
Hello Rosie, I’ve made so many of your recipes and they’re all great!
For this recipe, I can’t find precooked/smoked bacon. Only raw bacon. Should I cook it first before adding to crockpot?
Hi Ashley. It’s not necessary to cook the bacon before tossing it into the slow cooker.
Just prepped my slow cooker, cant wait to derve this tonight! Thank u for the recipe.
hank you for trying the recipe! XOXO
Hi Rosie,
If I substitute the bacon ends for turkey wings should I use water instead of chicken broth? If so how much water?
Everything else should remain the same 🙂
Can I make this vegan and use vegetable broth and omit the meat?
Sure 🙂
Hey Rosie,
Made these for thanksgiving and my family tore them up!!! Very tasty. Doing them again at Christmas, I’m just not going to use as much bacon pieces.
Thanks for trying Valia!
I’m making this right now for Christmas dinner-I found the bacon ends in the same section the bacon is in (they only had a 3 lb package but I split it up and froze the rest) and I’m using frozen Italian cut green beans – mad the grocery bagger missed packing my jalapeño peppers so I sprinkled some red pepper flakes in for a little kick like I do for my greens-I’m sure the will be delicious!
I had a taste for this but didn’t feel like slow cooking. I used your recipes and did it in my instant pot, it came out great and only took 20 minutes!
Would u cook the green beans the same way if the green beans were fresh not frozen. I am very proud of u for having this site. I always wanted to cook these kinds of food but no one to teach me. Stay awesome and keep recipes coming.
Hi Mary! Yes, I would cook them the same way 😀
hi grew up on something similar to this Ham,potatoes,green beans everything the same but had a white sauce it is so good had it like this also but prefer it with the white sauce better It was always my favorite dish after Christmas
The Green beans, bacon and potatoes look wonderful. Going to fix this for Thanksgiving. So glad to have found your site. I can’t wait to try the fried cabbage recipe. By the way you are a really beautiful woman.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. – Kathy
Thanks so much Kathy! Happy Holidays!
This came out amazing. So tender and flavorful. I’m so glad I found this site. I’m also making the broccoli and cheese casserole next.
Rosie this is absolutely delicious and I actually received a compliment from a relative who frowns at EVERYBODY’S dish. Your recipes are easy to follow and come out wonderful every time. I look forward to making many more.
This recipe was so good I used smoked Turkey instead!! Yummy!! Thank you so much
Love…Love…Love this recipe! Thanks
Another great recipe. My slow cooker has been simmering all day. I’m sampling, tasting delicious…wondering if I could add a little butter for the potatos? Thank you!!
I can hardly wait to try this recipe. looks and sounds yummy.
I have been using your recipes for about a year now and you have not failed me yet!!! I used smoked Turkey instead of bacon and they were banging!!! Thank you
Thank you for sticking with me Stephanie!
Rosie, this meal was to die for, comfort food all the way to my soul. My middle aged son still hates vegetables and he had 2 big bowl fulls, to my surprise! Thank you so much for sharing your passion with us all. You are gorgeous, btw. God bless you and your family.
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was perfect. You made my whole Thanksgiving dinner the best. It was my first time making Thanksgiving dinner by myself and I was very proud how it came out. Thank you so much.
I will have to try your recipe for Easter. I just came across your site four weeks ago. I would like to know if you have a recipe for butter beans (white lima beans). My mom passed in 2013. I have never made it myself and hers was creamy. Thank you
Hi Sandra! I don’t have a butter beans recipe posted as of yet.
Where do you buy your bacon ends? I’m having hard time finding any.
I usually find them at Wincos, or Safeway. Thick cut bacon will work as well.
I so enjoy your recipes Rosie!
Thanks Susan!!
What are bacon ends?is it fully cooked bacon?I have never heard of that and want to try your recipe with the right ingredients
They are the ends of bacon. Usually the fatty parts. No, they are not cooked.
Easy to make and was a huge hit! Had people saying um uh! I know what that means! Thank you for this incredible recipe
I’m making the southern green beans and potatoes now I just turned on the crockpot. I used 1 lb. of bacon precooked it, then added it. Can’t wait to eat it. I’ll let you know.
This was outstanding. I put chicken in mind and it fell apart, it melts in your mouth.
Omgoodness!! This was AMAZING!
I double batched it for a side to pass at a BBQ.
It was LOVED by ALL!! I will definitely be making it again.
Thank you for such AWESOME recipes!
I’m a whole lotta southern in the north. Lol
#MichiganGirl #WithASouthernHeart
I loved your green beans and potatoes recipe. I grew up eating those. My mom would use ham hocks. She would also make cornbread. Soooo good. I love your recipes!
Don’t know if I overlooked the reply about frying the bacon ends first or not. But do you fry before putting bacon ends in? Or is it just preference? I’ve always used sausage or ham in ours. Love bacon and can’t wait to try with bacon and I love bacon!
Frying the bacon prior is preference. It doesn’t have to be done, and can be skipped.
Yummy and simple. This reminds me of my Mamie who I’m missing a lot today. As a child, I asked her to make this so often. I’m one of MANY grandchildren yet she had a way of making us feel like we were the center of her world. Thank you for sharing this. I’ve never done it for holidays and I’m in New Orleans and have never heard of bacon ends! I need to look for them!
This is one of several recipes that I have and family loves.
I would definitely use this recipe again. Only tweaks I would make is not as much onion, my crazy self read the recipe and didn’t think to cook the bacon first LOL. I used regular smoked thick cut bacon instead of ends. The flavor was amazing and my family loved it.
I absolutely LOVE you and your recipes…. THANK YOU for sharing them with us..
M’Liss
XOXO!!
You are truly heaven sent above I have all your cookbooks just waiting on your lastest cookbook my friends and family love the recipes I make them from your cookbook I get so many compliments etc I truly am blessed to have founded you God bless you and thank you so much for sharing your amazing cooking/cookbook /recipes
Thank you so much Dee! XOXO
Hi, If doubling the recipe do I double the broth as well?
Yes.If you double the recipe , you must double all of the ingredients.
Rosie, I love your recipes and little stories that go with them. I am a Georgia girl. I’ve been here almost all of my life. Your recipes remind me of days when my mother and grandmother cooked. Thank you so much for the memories…
Awee, thank you!! That is quite the compliment!
hi Rosie, I love your recipes I made quite a few of them. I had a question about the green beans. Do you cook the bacon first before you put it in the crockpot or you just put the bacon and raw chopped up thank you Marna
Hi Marna! I didn’t cook the bacon prior to adding it to the slow cooker.