Skinny Southern Green Beans are simmered with turkey bacon, chicken broth, and sweet onion until tender and full of flavor. Cooked about 30 minutes, they absorb rich, savory notes while remaining light and healthy.
These Skinny Southern Green Beans make a flavorful, lower-fat side dish for any Southern-inspired meal. Traditional recipes often use butter, bacon grease, or fatback, but this version keeps the classic taste using turkey bacon and broth instead of heavy fats.
To prepare, trim the ends from the green beans and cut larger beans in half for easier serving and eating. Fresh green beans give the best texture, but you can use frozen if needed—just adjust the cooking time slightly.
Sauté diced sweet or yellow onion in a tablespoon of coconut or olive oil until softened. Add 3 cups of lower-sodium chicken broth, seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and five slices of cooked, crumbled turkey bacon. Stir in the prepared green beans, bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and have absorbed the savory broth. For the last few minutes, uncover the pot to allow some liquid to evaporate and concentrate the flavors. The result is a tender, well-seasoned side dish with just 98 calories per serving.
These green beans pair perfectly with meatloaf, roasted chicken, grilled pork chops, or any hearty main. They’re a great way to add vegetables to the plate without sacrificing flavor.
More Southern Sides
- Skinny Creamed Corn
- Easy Skillet Turnip Greens
- Lemon Butter Broccoli
Skinny Southern Green Beans
Green beans simmered with turkey bacon, chicken broth, and onion until tender and savory. A lighter take on a Southern classic.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds green beans — ends snapped off and longer ones cut in half
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil
- 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
- 3 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 5 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, cooked and crumbled turkey bacon, and the prepared green beans. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender. For a more concentrated flavor, uncover for the last 5 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
Nutritional information is provided as a guide. Actual values may vary based on the products used and cooking methods.