Slow Cooker Green Beans & Potatoes

If you’re looking for a hands‑off side dish that delivers big on flavor and nostalgia, this recipe is for you. Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon & Potatoes is the kind of Southern comfort food that warms your heart and fills your table with savory goodness. You dump everything into your crockpot, let it simmer, and come back later to tender green beans, smoky bacon, and potatoes steeped in a rich, garlic‑onion broth. Talk about a wholesome dish that’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy cooks, home chefs, or anyone craving comfort without all the fuss.

This dish really showcases slow cooker green beans, combining smoky, cozy elements with minimal prep. Whether you’re juggling work, kids, or just a packed schedule, this crockpot masterpiece works while you’re on the go.

Why We Love Southern‑Style Green Beans

There’s something magical about Southern cooking: it’s all about depth of flavor, slow simmering, and turning simple ingredients into extraordinary comfort food. These Southern green beans take on the smoky notes of thick-cut bacon, marry that richness with tender potatoes, and soak everything in a fragrant broth that’s deeply satisfying. This is the kind of smoked meat side dish that pairs beautifully with barbecued ribs or roast chicken—classic, soulful, and unpretentious.

With slow cooked beans and potatoes, you get a hearty texture combo—crisp-tender beans meeting soft, buttery potatoes. And when you’re after a comfort food slow cooker creation, this clearly hits the mark. Even picky eaters fall head over heels for this dish.

A Personal Memory: Grandma’s Pot Likker Magic

My grandma used to throw green beans, bacon, potatoes, onion, garlic, and broth into her old crockpot and let it do its thing all day. When I walked in after school, that aroma hit me—like a warm hug in a bowl. At the end, she’d say, “Don’t throw that broth away!” and dip Southern cornbread into it, sopping up every last drop with that flavorful broth called pot likker. She’d tell me it’s where all the best flavor lives.

That “pot likker recipe” has stuck with me. Serve this dish with cornbread (see our southern-style cornbread guide) and you’re recreating that classic experience. More than just food, it’s memory on a plate.

When to Make This Dish

This recipe is a go-to for lots of occasions:

• Sunday family dinner—make it while you attend to other tasks.
• Barbecues or potlucks—set it and forget it, then serve this next to grilled chicken or slow-cooked ribs.
• Thanksgiving or holiday feasts—a delicious green bean side dish option that’s a breeze compared to fiddly casseroles.
• Everyday weeknight meals when you need something hearty and homey, but you don’t want to hover over the stove.

If you’re searching for green beans for Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday slow cooker vegetable side, this recipe gives you a rich, flavorful dish everyone will reach for.

Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s break it down and talk about swap-ins and smart tweaks:

• Green beans (2 lbs, fresh or frozen, trimmed)
  Fresh is ideal, but yes—you can use frozen green beans in the crockpot. Add them just like fresh—no need to thaw. The cooking time stays the same but check for tenderness.
• Thick-cut bacon (½ lb, cut into 1½″ pieces)
  Offers that smoky backbone. You can substitute ham or smoked turkey for another protein twist. More on that later.
• Potatoes (1 lb, baby or cut into chunks)
  Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best—creamy texture that holds up in the crockpot.
• Sweet onion (1, sliced) and garlic (2 cloves, minced)
  These aromatics build your flavor base. Don’t skip them.
• Chicken broth (3 cups, low-sodium)
  Keeps the sodium manageable and lets the bacon and aromatics shine.
• Kosher salt (1 tsp) and black pepper (½ tsp)
  Adjust depending on your bacon’s salt level and personal taste.

You’ll also see how our recipe ties into other dishes like easy potato sides—check out our crispy breakfast potatoes for more inspiration.

And if you’re substituting bacon with corned beef or looking for a different protein route, our canned corned beef hash guide has helpful ideas too.

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

Here’s how you bring this all together—the fun bit:

1. Prep ingredients: Trim the green beans, chop potatoes, slice onions, mince garlic, and chop bacon.
2. Layer it up: Into your crockpot, go green beans, potatoes, onion, garlic, and bacon. Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Stir it like you mean it: Mix everything around so seasonings distribute evenly. Think of it as creating a flavor stew.
4. Set the heat:
   • Cook on High for 3–4 hours, or
   • Low for 6–7 hours if you’ve got the luxury of time.
5. Finish it off: Once everything’s tender—beans should be soft but not mushy, potatoes fork-tender—you’re ready.
6. Serve warm, ladling that glorious pot likker over each plate or dipping cornbread into it.

And here’s some kitchen wisdom:

• If your green beans with garlic onion bacon slow cooker finish seems watery, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to let it reduce.
• For a thicker sauce, mash a couple of potato chunks into the broth.
• Want it spicier? Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to taste.

FAQs & Cooking Tips

Serving Suggestions

This dish shines bright as a hearty side. Pair it with:

• Grilled or barbecued meats (ribs, chicken)
• Pan-seared pork chops or roast turkey
• Fresh southern-style cornbread—they pair beautifully together
• For an easy meal cool down a plate of cornbread and spoon beans and potatoes over it, dripping with pot likker.

You can also serve it alongside slow cooker side dishes like creamy mac & cheese or baked beans for a southern-themed spread. Another great idea: top a piece of buttered cornbread with beans and broth for savory, satisfying bites.

Recipe Card

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crock pot green beans bacon potatoes recipe
Servings: 6
Calories: approx 283 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• 2 lbs green beans (fresh or frozen, trimmed)
• 1 small sweet onion, sliced
• ½ lb thick-cut bacon, cut into 1½″ pieces
• 1 lb baby potatoes (halved or quartered)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 3 cups low‑sodium chicken broth

Instructions

1. Sprinkle trimmed green beans, potatoes, onions, garlic, and bacon into the slow cooker.
2. Pour in chicken broth.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine.
4. Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or Low for 6–7 hours.
5. Once tender, scoop out servings into bowls or plates. Ladle some pot likker over each.
6. Serve with buttered cornbread or alongside your favorite proteins.

Notes

• Bacon can be substituted with ham or smoked turkey.
• If using frozen beans, no need to thaw before adding.
• For thicker sauce, mash a few potatoes into the liquid.
• Save leftover pot likker to use as broth in soups or to drizzle over bread.

Related Recipes

Looking to build a full slow-cooker meal or pair this with complementary sides? Here are some great options from the blog:

• Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs – smoky ribs and savory beans make a great team.
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles – hearty, creamy, and cozy alongside your green beans.
• Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham – more beans, more flavor, more South.
• Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Breasts – an elegant, tender protein that complements the rustic beans.

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Slow Cooker Green Beans & Potatoes

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

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Description

A hands-off Southern comfort side dish loaded with smoky bacon, tender green beans, and buttery potatoes simmered in a rich garlic-onion broth.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs green beans (fresh or frozen, trimmed)
• 1 small sweet onion, sliced
• 1/2 lb thick-cut bacon, cut into 1 1/2″ pieces
• 1 lb baby potatoes (halved or quartered)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups low‑sodium chicken broth

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Instructions

1. Sprinkle trimmed green beans, potatoes, onions, garlic, and bacon into the slow cooker.
2. Pour in chicken broth.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine.
4. Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or Low for 6–7 hours.
5. Once tender, scoop out servings into bowls or plates. Ladle some pot likker over each.
6. Serve with buttered cornbread or alongside your favorite proteins.

Notes

Bacon can be substituted with ham or smoked turkey. If using frozen beans, no need to thaw before adding. For thicker sauce, mash a few potatoes into the liquid. Save leftover pot likker to use as broth in soups or to drizzle over bread.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 283
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 570mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon & Potatoes recipe blends simplicity, flavor, and tradition into one satisfying side dish. It’s easy to make, fantastic for gatherings or everyday dinners, and flexible enough to suit low-sodium, meat-free, or budget-conscious versions. Whether you’re feeding family, prepping for a holiday, or looking for a no-fuss dinner to lean on, this dish delivers.

With minimal prep and maximum payoff, this crockpot recipe brings together green beans, potatoes, and bacon into a comforting, soulful meal. Don’t forget to soak up that delicious pot likker with cornbread or rice—and share the leftovers feeling proud you nailed a classic Southern favorite. Cook with joy, savor new flavors, and make every dinner moment memorable.

For more slow-cooked goodness and food ideas? Follow along on Pinterest and join the kitchen crew on Facebook.