This is my favorite way to eat green beans – they are so full of flavor! My mom always made green beans this way, and growing up right next to her in the kitchen I could probably do this with my eyes closed. I can tell they’re done just by the way they sound in the pan!
Once you’ve made green beans this way a couple times, I bet you won’t even need a recipe! It’s basically a technique that can be adjusted to suit the amount of beans you’re making. I’ll give you the basic recipe and then show you a few step by step photos. Here we go!
Southern Green Beans (click here for a printable version of this recipe)
- Canned Green Beans – usually called “cut green beans.” This does not work with french style, low sodium or frozen green beans.
- Olive Oil
- Margarine or Butter – I use margarine
- Salt and Pepper
- Large, flat skillet – not a sauce pan
Place a large, flat skillet (a pot or sauce pan will not work) on medium-high heat. Add your canned green beans and at least half the juice from each can. I usually make two cans of beans, so I add all the juice with one can and then drain the other one.
Spread the beans into a flat layer in the pan. Drizzle about a Tablespoon of Olive Oil over the beans and season them with salt and pepper. Let the liquid come to a boil and do not stir the beans.
Once the liquid has almost completely cooked off, add 2 Tablespoons of Margarine for each can of green beans. When I do two cans, I just use half a stick of margarine. Reduce the heat to medium or medium low and let the beans cook down, stirring to make sure they are all coated with margarine, until they are slightly browned.
Taste and add more salt & pepper if needed.
You can keep these warm on the stove if you’re waiting on something else to finish cooking – they really won’t overcook. You can even make them a day ahead and reheat in the microwave!
Here are step by step photos of what the beans look like at each stage of the process! If you shop at Aldi, these are the green beans I buy for this recipe.
You can see the liquid and the olive oil in the picture below.
Once it starts boiling like the picture below, don’t stir them until the liquid is almost gone.
Liquid is gone!
Add the margarine – see that golden stuff in the pan below? The margarine will make that golden flavor coat your beans!
Let it cook until they look like this.
There isn’t any of the golden brown stuff in my pan anymore – it’s all on the beans! YUM!
These beans go really well with any chicken dish – baked chicken, chicken and dumplings or roast chicken, but they also go well with roast beef, Thanksgiving turkey or any other comfort food meal!
If you prefer green beans that have a little “bite” to them, try my Garlic Green Beans that are made with frozen beans!
Now I’ve typed the word BEANS so many times it’s starting to look funny. 🙂
Your mom taught me to make them this way a couple of years ago and we LOVE them! We make them with just about everything 😊
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This is Paul’s favorite way to eat them, too! 🙂
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Yes, I would like the printable recipe too; thanks!
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Hi Sharon! I just saw your comment and wanted to let you know I’ve added a link to the printable recipe here on the post. Let me know if you have trouble printing that one. Thanks so much!
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I would also like the printable recipe. Thanks.
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Sure thing, Nancy!
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Where can I find a printable recipe for the southern green beans? Want to fix tonight/
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Hi! I just sent you an email with a printable recipe file. Hope that helps! 🙂
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Green beans are the most requested side at our house. Your green beans look so delicious!
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Thank you! We love them too!
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Where is the printable recipe for your Southern Green Beans besides just describing and showing pictures? Thanks, Judy
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I just sent you an email with a printable recipe file. Hope that helps! Thanks, Judy! 🙂
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I would like the recipe also.
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Sure thing, Susan! 🙂
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I tried your garlic green beans tonight! They were great! I’ll try these Southern green beans next. They look so delicious with that butter! My mouth is watering now. 😋
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Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed the garlic green beans – I love those, too.
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I have been waiting for this recipe!!! Will definitely be making these. I love fresh green beans but never know what to do off season. Looks delicious and so easy!
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You’re so sweet, Diana! I hope you enjoy this one! 🙂
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Yum! I love any green beans. I grew up eating canned green beans. My husband prefers fresh or frozen. My go to green been combo is frozen, salt and pepper and bacon grease. It’s such a delicious side.
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I have only cooked fresh beans once in my life! I should probably try them again – and with some bacon grease. Yum!
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I’ve never used oil or butter. I’ve always used bacon or just bacon grease. I’ll give this a try 😊
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I think I’ve only used bacon grease once! I should try that again sometime, too!
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