Do you remember the flavor of your Gramma’s green beans? Well, that is exactly what you get with these delicious Crock Pot Green Beans!
Aunt Lou here.
Gramma has been gone now for 7 months. It seems like forever since I have seen her smile and felt her hugs. Here lately I have been thinking about her a lot and grasping at every memory I have of her for comfort. One of the things that instantly makes me think of her and smile is the smell of green beans cooking. I don’t know how to explain it. As soon as I smell green beans on, I am instantly transported. It is a hot summer day, early afternoon, and I am walking into Gramma’s house and greeted with that wonderful smell and dying to get a taste!
Crock Pot Green Beans
Sadly, Gramma was already in the nursing home before I took up any interest in cooking…beyond eating. 😉 So I don’t know exactly what Gramma put in her green beans (I bet Cris knows), but these puppies are about as close as I’ve ever had.
*Note: If it is summer and you can get some fresh green beans and break them yourself, DO IT! That will take this recipe to the next level for sure!
Psst…if you want to make them faster, you can make them in your Instant Pot too with this Instant Pot Green Beans recipe!
Crock Pot Green Beans
Ingredients
- 29 oz cans Italian cut green beans (2-14.5 oz cans)
- 2 pieces bacon
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- water enough to cover your beans
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pour your cans of green beans in your crock pot
- Tear up your uncooked bacon into pieces and scatter in your crock pot
- Cut up your butter into pats and place evenly around your crock pot
- Add enough water to cover your beans by a half inch
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours
Slow Cooker Recommendation
For these yummy Crock Pot Green Beans, I used my 3 qt crock pot. You can use your favorite 3 quart slow cooker and reminisce about the good ol’ days in Gramma’s kitchen.
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This sounds delicious. But, if you are using canned beans (which are cooked) do you really need to cook these for 8 hours? I don’t want them to come out mushy.
They are definitely soft, but not mushy. If you would prefer to use fresh green beans, check out this recipe: https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/how-to-cook-fresh-green-beans-in-the-crock-pot/. It is super yummy too! Enjoy!
These were wonderful! Served on Easter. Brought back memories of my MaMaw’s green beans! So easy and such grear flavor!
Hi Debbie!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I think of my Gramma every time I make them too. 🙂
Aunt Lou
I’ll chime in, too. Water + beef bouillon, and toss in some frozen tri-color vegetables. (Some combination of green pepper, red pepper, onion, depends on what brand is available where you shop. They all work.) With or without bacon.
Do you drain the can of beans and can you substitute chicken broth for water?
Hi Cindy!
I did not drain the beans. While I have not tried it with chicken broth instead of water, other readers have and seemed to really like them that way. Enjoy!
Aunt Lou
Substitute chicken broth for the water and add some minced or fresh onions.
Do you drain the beans before putting them in the crock pot?
Hi Shirley!
You don’t drain. Enjoy!!
Has anyone tried this with fresh beans instead of canned?
The only change I would try, would be to use ham hocks in lieu of bacon.
To really take them to the next level use chicken stock instead of water. Also, dice 1/2 of an onion and add at beginning. I’ve made old fashioned green beans for years. Tried this recipe with the changes I listed and they are exactly like what granny used to make. This is my most requested dish at any potluck and I was even asked to make a large batch for a wedding reception.
Hi,
Did you use canned green beans?
I would like to make these for Thanksgiving.
Hi Angie!
Yes, we use 2 14.5 oz cans of green beans! I hope you and your loved ones enjoy them as much as we do!
~Aunt Lou
I’m making these for Christmas day dinner as one of the sides for our turkey. Looks and sounds delicious…and so easy; thanks for posting.
Just an idea but I can just imagine the wow factor go thru the roof of you throw in some new potatoes 🙂
I don’t have new potatoes, but was going to cut some regular russet potatoes. Would I just put those in at the beginning and let them cook the whole 8 hours?
Hi Christi!
If you need to have the potatoes cook for the full 8 hours, I would cut them into wedges like you would for a roast. I’m afraid if you cut them too small, they would just fall apart. I haven’t tried it though, so let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!
Aunt Lou