Southern Green Beans and Potatoes with Smoked Turkey (Soul Food)

Name: Southern Green Beans and Potatoes with Smoked Turkey (Soul Food)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Ingredients: 4 quarts water; 1 smoked turkey leg; 1 1/2 pounds green beans (trimmed and halved crosswise); 1 yellow onion chopped; 2 garlic cloves minced; 2 teaspoons chicken base; 1 pound red potatoes (quartered); Seasoned salt (to taste); 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

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These Southern green beans and potatoes are simmered on the stove in a rich and flavorful broth with smoked turkey, onion, garlic, and seasonings. It's the perfect soul food side dish to pair with holiday recipes and a classic Southern recipe that's perfect for Sunday supper.

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Southern green beans and potatoes are my personal favorite and one the whole family loves. My Granna would always make this recipe for Sunday dinner and on holidays and special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

They're made with simple ingredients like red potatoes, smoked turkey, onion, garlic, seasoned salt, and pepper. You can also swap out the smoked turkey for smoked ham hocks or neck bones.

If you love this recipe, you should also check out our boiled cabbage recipe or collard greens with ham hocks. For more dinner recipes, check out our Soul Food Sunday Dinner Ideas roundup.

Ingredients

Smoked turkey leg: Adds rich, smoky flavor. Substitute with smoked necks, wings, or ham hocks if desired.
Fresh green beans: Look for bright green beans that snap cleanly. Frozen green beans works in a pinch, but skip canned.
Yellow onion: Sweet or white onions can work too. Use pre-diced onions to save time.
Garlic cloves: Jarred minced garlic is convenient, but fresh will give the best flavor.
Better Than Bouillon chicken base: Sub with bouillon powder or cubes if needed.
Small red potatoes: Choose firm potatoes with smooth skin. Yukon Golds are a good swap.
Seasoned salt: Use your favorite brand (like Lawry’s). Adjust based on the saltiness of your broth.

Special Equipment and Tools

Large Stockpot: You'll need a large stockpot or Dutch oven to accommodate enough water and the smoked meat (turkey, ham hock, etc.).
Cooking Utensils: You'll need basic cooking utensils like a ladle, slotted spoon, and tongs for handling the food.
Forks or Shredding Tools: You'll need forks or other shredding tools to remove the meat from the drumstick and shred it.

How to Make Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

Prepare the Broth: In a large pot, combine 4 quarts of cold water and smoked turkey drumstick. Place the pot over medium high heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Allow this to cook for about 1 to 2 hours. This step helps the smoked meat cook and infuse the broth with flavor. Also, the longer you cook it, the easier the meat will be to shred.
Combine Everything: After the 1-hour mark, add more water if needed, just enough to cover the drumstick. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chicken base (or bouillon). Taste and adjust with seasoned salt. It should taste like a flavorful, salty broth. Now, add the green beans and potatoes. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Check them about halfway through to be careful not to overcook them.
Shred Turkey Meat: Turn the stove off and carefully remove the turkey leg from the pot. The meat should be fork tender. Using two forks or your fingers (if you let it cool slightly), remove the skin and start pulling the meat apart. This will create small shreds of meat. Keep shredding until you've broken down all the meat from the leg. Add the meat back to the broth, giving it a good stir. Discard the skin and bones.
Serve and Enjoy: Use a slotted spoon to ladle green beans and tender potatoes onto your plate or bowl. Be sure to scoop up some of the delicious meat and pot liquor (pot likker). Season with black pepper, serve, and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Green beans and potatoes are a classic Southern soul food side dish that pairs perfectly with all kinds of soul food and comfort food favorites. Here are some traditional dishes that go great with green beans:

Fried Chicken
Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Gouda Mac and Cheese
Smothered Chicken and Rice
Southern Oxtail Recipe
Grilled Pork Chops, Smothered Pork Chops, or Deep Fried Pork Chops
Candied Yams (Sweet Potatoes)
Fried Catfish

Storage and Leftovers

When properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, leftover green beans can be safe to eat for up to 3-4 days. However, the quality may start to decline after the first day or two. For best results, we do not recommend making this recipe ahead of time. Reheat leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a lid or safe plastic wrap (leave a small vent), and heat on medium power in short intervals.

Commonly Asked Questions

How long to boil fresh green beans?

The boiling time for fresh green beans will vary depending on how you're preparing them and your desired level of doneness. For this Southern soul food recipe, green beans are cooked at a low boil until soft, about 45 minutes. Check them at about the 30 minute mark, being careful not to overcook. If you prefer a crisp-tender texture, be sure to check them more frequently.

Can I add bacon or ham to Southern green beans and potatoes?

Yes, you can add bacon or ham to green beans and potatoes to make them taste even better. Cook the bacon first and use the grease to cook your onions and garlic. You can also add chopped ham or a ham bone while everything cooks for extra flavor.

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