cracker barrel green beans recipe | southern style
Jump To Recipe
Prep Time : 10 min
Cook Time : 45 min
Total Time: 55 min
Ingredients
Before You Start
How to Cook Cracker Barrel–Style Green Beans
1. 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 the bacon is lightly browned and has rendered some of its fat.
I won’t cook the bacon until it’s completely crisp. We want some of that bacon fat in the pot to flavor the green beans.
2. Add the Onion
- Add the finely diced sweet onion directly to the bacon and drippings.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and turn translucent.
3. Add the Green Beans
- Pour the 3 cans of undrained cut green beans into the pot, including their liquid.
- Stir gently so the beans combine with the bacon and onions without breaking them apart.
4. Season the Green Beans
- Add the granulated sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Stir gently to distribute the seasonings throughout the beans and cooking liquid.
5. Add the Butter
- Add the unsalted butter and let it melt into the cooking liquid.
- Give everything another gentle stir.
6. Simmer Until Tender
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the green beans simmer for 30–45 minutes, stirring gently once or twice during cooking.
- The longer, gentle simmer allows the bacon, onion, and seasonings to work their way into the green beans. Cook until the beans are very tender and flavorful, rather than crisp-tender.
7. Taste and Adjust
- Remove the lid and taste the green beans. Adjust the salt or black pepper if needed. If there is still a lot of liquid, let the beans simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes.
8. Serve Warm
- Transfer the green beans to a serving bowl, making sure to spoon some of the bacon, onions, and flavorful cooking liquid over the top. Serve them hot alongside your favorite Southern-style main dishes.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large skillet or Dutch oven with lid
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener
- Serving bowl
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: ~220
- Total Fat: ~14 g
- Saturated Fat: ~5 g
- Cholesterol: ~25 mg
- Sodium: ~700 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: ~15 g
- Dietary Fiber: ~4 g
- Total Sugars: ~6 g
- Protein: ~7 g
Recipe Tips
Let the bacon do some of the work. I’ve found that there’s no need to cook it until it’s completely crisp. Leaving some of the rendered fat in the pot gives the green beans a deeper, more savory flavor.
Keep the pot at a gentle simmer. I prefer low heat because it gives the beans plenty of time to soak up the bacon, onion, and seasonings.
Cook until truly tender. These green beans are meant to be soft and comforting, not crisp-tender. I let them go until they have that classic homestyle texture.
Don’t dry out the pot. I like keeping a little of the seasoned cooking liquid with the beans. It makes the finished dish more flavorful and moist.
Taste before bringing them to the table. I always check the seasoning at the end and make a small adjustment if needed.
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
If your pantry looks a little different from mine, that’s perfectly fine. These simple substitutions can help you make a comforting pot of green beans without an extra trip to the store.
Fresh or Frozen Green Beans
Fresh or frozen green beans: Both are good alternatives to canned green beans. Fresh beans need more time to soften, while frozen beans should be thawed and drained before they go into the pot. Add a little water or broth if more cooking liquid is needed.
Regular or Turkey Bacon
Regular or turkey bacon: Traditional bacon gives the green beans a deeper, richer flavor, but turkey bacon can be used when preferred. Since it produces less fat, a little extra butter can help keep the dish flavorful.
Sweet or Yellow Onion
Sweet or yellow onion: Sweet onion is mild and gentle, while yellow onion has a slightly stronger flavor. Either one will give the green beans a lovely savory base.
Unsalted or Salted Butter
Unsalted or salted butter: You can use whichever you have available. Just remember that salted butter adds more sodium, so taste the beans before adding additional salt.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Serving tips
Nothing brings a Southern-style dinner together quite like a plate of tender green beans. Serve these Cracker Barrel–style beans with Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, Cracker Barrel Hamburger Steak, or Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders. Add creamy mashed potatoes and warm cornbread, and you’ve got the kind of comforting meal everyone looks forward to.
Storage and Reheating Cracker Barrel Green Beans
How to Store
These green beans keep nicely in the refrigerator, and I usually store them with their cooking liquid to help preserve their flavor and tenderness.
Once cooled, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days. You can also freeze the leftovers if you need to keep them longer.
How to Reheat
For the best results, I recommend reheating these green beans gently. Add them to a saucepan with a little of the leftover cooking liquid and warm over low heat for 5–10 minutes.
You can also microwave them in a covered dish, heating in short 30–60 second intervals until hot. If needed, add a splash of water to keep them moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
❤️ Did You Make This green bean recipe?
I’d love to hear how your Cracker Barrel green bean turned out!
⭐ Leave a star rating below and share your experience in the comments. Did you make any changes or add your own favorite vegetables?
If you snapped a photo, tag @Cracker barrel recipes on Instagram so I can see your delicious creation.
Happy cooking! 🍗❤️
